A palm-sized gadget called the Brick is going viral on TikTok for one simple trick: it locks you out of selected apps until you tap your phone to the device again.
> At a Glance
> – The Brick pairs with an app to block chosen distractions
> – Users like @haleyreidtay say it reclaimed 3 hours a day
> – It costs $59 and keeps calls and urgent alerts active
> – Why it matters: It turns screen-time limits into a physical action, not just another swipe-able prompt
TikTok clips showing the Brick in action have racked up millions of views as creators document how the tiny white puck parked on a nightstand or desk ends mindless scrolling at set times.
How the Brick Works
After pairing the device with its companion app, owners pick which apps to freeze-Instagram, TikTok, games, anything. When you’re ready to focus, you tap the phone to the Brick; the chosen apps become inaccessible until you return and tap again. Incoming calls and critical notifications still come through.
The process adds one step between the urge and the feed, giving users a literal pause to reconsider.
Real-World Results
Users posting under #bricked have shared dramatic drops in screen time:
- Mom of two Haley (@haleyreidtay) bricks her phone at 8 p.m.; she now uses the freed-up hours for content work and family time
- Creator Austin (@austin.gouda) trimmed his daily usage from 10 hours to about 7, calling the regained three hours “life back”
> “I’m addicted to bricking,” Haley told followers. “My phone time is so much more intentional.”
Not Everyone Is Sold
Some buyers find the tap-to-unlock step too easy to override. Creator Kay (@kfruitfly) confessed she still bypassed the block because “scrolls on the phone [are] too fun to resist.”
Despite mixed reviews, the Brick has become a poster child for the growing “attention-reclaim” market, joining apps and widgets designed to make distraction inconvenient.
Key Takeaways
- The Brick sells for $59 and works with most iOS and Android phones
- Users set their own blocked apps and schedules
- Success hinges on making the extra unlock step psychologically harder than simply swiping away a notification
- Early adopters report regaining up to three hours daily for work, sleep, or family
Whether the Brick becomes a lasting habit or another tech novelty, its viral moment underscores a simple truth: sometimes productivity requires a physical barrier between you and the endless scroll.
