You know that feeling?
You really plan on finally reading a book again in the evening, listening to a podcast with total focus, or just watching a series with your family. But in the end, you find yourself back on the couch, staring blankly at your phone.

Whether it is doom-scrolling before bed or instinctively reaching for your smartphone the second a movie gets a bit slow:
phone addiction and social media often get in the way when we actually want to be present for our friends, family, or our own hobbies.

I have found a solution for myself that is as simple as it is brilliant: BRICK*.

What exactly is this BRICK?

The concept behind BRICK* is a mix of an app and a physical little cube (the „BRICK“). The way it works is incredibly simple:

Select Apps: In the app, you decide which applications distract you the most (Instagram, TikTok, Mail, etc.).
Bricking: You tap your phone against the physical Brick. From that moment on, those apps are locked. They can no longer be opened, and there is no „Just 5 more minutes“ button like you find in the standard settings from Apple or Google. Unbricking: The lock can only be lifted in one way:

You must physically touch the Brick with your phone again.

My Setup: The hurdle against laziness I taped my Brick to a door frame (it is magnetic) that is positioned so I have to get up to reach it. No matter if I am sitting on the couch, working at my desk, or lying in bed.
That might sound trivial, but that small physical act of getting up is a massive psychological barrier. Often, when I think about „unbricking,“ I realize I do not actually need the app and prefer to just stay in the moment.

Why BRICK is the winner for me

There are plenty of apps that want to reduce screen time, but BRICK does a few things much differently:

No Subscription Model: This is one of the biggest selling points for me. You buy the hardware once and the app usage is included. No monthly costs, just a finished product.

Schedules: You can set fixed times when your phone is automatically „bricked.“ That way, you do not even get into the temptation of checking for updates right before you go to sleep.

Remote Lock: You can lock your phone from anywhere (in case you notice you are wasting too much time while out), but to unlock it, you absolutely have to go back home to the physical device.

One Device for Everyone: We only need a single Brick in the apartment. The app is installed on my phone as well as my wife’s phone. We both use the same Brick to unlock our devices.

My Conclusion

After a few weeks It really helps me a ton to put the focus back on my family in the evenings. My screen time has dropped drastically because the „quick fix“ from the phone is simply no longer available without me having to actively move for it.

If you also feel like your phone is eating up too much of your valuable time, check it out. I have a link from the app for you here: https://www.getbrick.app/Referral73520.

To be honest, I am not sure if I get anything out of it myself, but for you, there is definitely a 10% discount on your order.

*Disclaimer:
Some of the links on this page are referral links, meaning that if you make a purchase through them, both you and I may receive a small benefit (such as a discount, credit, or bonus). This comes at no extra cost to you. Prices remain the same whether you use the link or not. These links simply help support my work while also giving you something in return. I only recommend products or services that I genuinely believe in. If you would like to support me, you have the option to „buy me a coffee„, but that is absolutely not a requirement and you should only consider it if you have nothing better to do with your money!