I cut my screen time in half using Brick

I spend a lot of time staring at screens. When I wake up, I grab my phone first. Over the eight hours a day I spend typing on my computer, my phone is always there, tempting me to turn it on and scroll through Instagram rather than getting my work done. When I relax with a TV show in the evening, my phone is there again, drawing my attention from the screen. And before going to bed, I scroll through TikTok again while reading.

I’m not particularly proud of my screen time numbers or my need for constant stimulation. I created time limits on my most distracting apps and set fixed time schedules. But frankly, it’s not enough — getting around those restrictions is as easy as clicking the snooze button.

Ironically, as I was trying to reduce my screen time, I was targeted on Instagram by The Brick ads, promising strict screen time controls to curb my phone usage. After experimenting with Brick for a few months, I’m happy to say that it helped me curb my screen time – cut it in half – and eventually taught me how to deal with boredom.

How does Brick work?

Screen time management apps can be great for making sure you only spend a certain amount of time on social media per day, but there’s a big problem — it’s easy to overdo it. Using the limitations of my iPhone’s built-in app, I quickly got into the habit of sneaking in one more minute of TikTok, which turned out to be another hour. The brick is also an app, but it adds a body part, too, which removes the easy pass.

Brick works by locking certain apps when you tap your phone on the brick. To unlock your phone, you have to tap it against the Wall again. However, if you’re in a pinch and really need to access your blocked apps without getting up and tapping your phone, the Brick app has a total of five emergency un-Bricks available. Warning, though, once you use these emergency bricks, you have to factory reset your device to make it available again, so use it sparingly.

Previously, Brick was only available on iOS devices; However, now it is also available for Android smartphones. Multiple devices can be used per brick, too. My wife and I use the same Brick, we keep it in our fridge for easy access.

The only downside is my screen time

I keep The Brick in our fridge, which forces me to get out of bed or off the sofa when I want to un-Brick my phone.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Having a physical Brick means that when you want to access your blocked apps, you can’t just press a button. You have to get up to your Brick to tap your phone.

And let me tell you, that little physical thing makes a big difference. If I’m sitting on the couch in the evening and want to scroll through Instagram, even if I’m already watching a show, knowing that I’ll have to get up to brick my phone is enough to stop me from scrolling. My favorite is using Bricking my phone before bed, as it ensures that social media isn’t the first thing I see when I wake up and forces me to get out of bed if I want to look at it.

In addition, Brick got my attention back. When I Brick my phone, it removes distractions so I don’t look at my phone when I should be watching TV. But Brick is great when I’m not trying to focus on something else. With all my most distracting apps blocked, I’m finally bored again. When I have free time, rather than stop scrolling, it motivates me to spend more time reading or finally tackle those things I’ve been putting off.

It cut my screen time in half

So what was the result of my use of the Brick? It cut my screen time in half.

The best way to measure Brick performance is through numbers. Before using the Brick, I was averaging about six hours of phone screen time per day. I didn’t set out to limit my screen time by a certain number or percentage; I just wanted it to be small. So I was shocked when using Brick reduced my screen time to an average of three hours a day. Yes, 50 percent less.

Additionally, my entire family has adopted a Screen Time Limiter. I work from home, so I have to train a little more when I don’t have co-workers in person. But even my wife, who teaches every day, Brick their phone before going to school every morning.

You can create different methods

All the different methods I have created for Bricking my phone.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Bricking your phone is not an all-or-nothing decision. The default setting lets you block all apps – including your texts and video calls – making it a silent phone that only lets you make regular calls. However, that is not your only option. You can create different modes, manually choosing which apps to allow or block.

I created some modes that make my phone look like a silent phone — except I allow video calls and texts. However, the alternatives I created just block the apps that are my biggest distractions: Instagram, TikTok, iX, Pinterest, and Chrome. I also have a simple version of this, which helps me stay free of distractions during work but still allows me to access Chrome in case I need to look something up.

Be careful which apps you choose

My only warning about Brick is to check which apps are blocked. If you choose the option to block all apps, that can end up preventing you from accessing apps that you might need. One time, I unlocked my phone before going to the gym, but I realized that it blocked my gym app, which has my membership card. At one point, my Brick blocked the Amazon app, which I needed to scan at Whole Foods to get more savings.

Fortunately, that’s where Brick’s urgent feature of being a Brick comes in handy. Unfortunately, I have already used two of the five provided.

I wish it would set app limits

You can also track how much time you spent in brick mode in the activity tab.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

One thing I like about Apple’s built-in screen time is that you can set app limits. Unfortunately, you can’t set app limits with Brick. Instead, you just block all apps to try to reduce your overall screen time. While I quickly got used to Brick’s system, I sometimes missed the app’s limitations that would give me an indication that it was time to call it quits on social media for the evening.

A small investment

Going from using the free screen time feature on my iPhone to paying $59 for The Brick is pretty tough. That being said, it really works. It’s the only system that has been able to effectively reduce my screen time. Plus, it’s a one-time price to pay.

Some popular screen time apps, like Opal, have free versions, but to access all the features, you’ll need to pay $99.99 per year.

Is Brick worth it?

Brick is perfect for you. I have been recommending The Brick for months, since I started using it and I recommend it to everyone I know. If you’ve been looking for a system to limit your screen time and find that the built-in app limits aren’t enough, Brick is my favorite option.

The physical limit of Sitina adds an extra barrier, making it especially effective at preventing you from giving up your screen time and staying truly distraction-free.