How to Stop Doomscrolling: A Brick App Review

An executive function & ADHD coach wearing a gray sweater is holding a small gray Brick tile in her hands. The Brick she is holding is the center of the photo and the woman and background are blurred - Executive Functioning First

I’ve been using Brick for over a year and it’s changed my life!

There are so many apps, products, tips, and tricks to help you stop doomscrolling; but what actually works? 

Brick is a new-ish product that is an actual physical device (along with an app) that blocks distracting apps & notifications from your phone. Brick markets itself as a simple tool with no subscriptions - refreshing! 

As someone who has tried to stop doomscrolling, lost track of time on my phone, and felt absolutely awful once I clawed my way back into reality - I’m so glad I found Brick, because it changed my relationship with my phone. 

Brick is the only tool that has truly helped me stop doomscrolling. Brick helps you stay mindful of when you are autopiloting to distracting apps on your phone. Brick isn’t 100% perfect, but it’s the best tool I’ve used to be mindful of my phone use & intentional with how I spend my time on my phone. 

With new apps, tools, and hacks to help you stop doomscrolling being released constantly, it can be overwhelming to find a tool that works for you (and keeps working past the initial honeymoon phase!). 

I’ve been using Brick for over a year at the time of writing this Brick Review and I can honestly say it’s the tool that was missing for me to stop doomscrolling. I could go on and on about all the things I’ve tried, but I know you’re here for the good stuff, so let’s get into this Brick Review. 

Heads up: I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What is Brick?

Brick is not like other apps; it’s a physical object that you tap your phone against to “brick” your phone.

You get to choose what you block, when, and for how long.

Unlike other products to help you stop doomscrolling, Brick is not something you can easily override or break back into your distracting apps. Brick helps you: 

  • Take control of your day and focus on what really matters

  • Create focus sessions that block out distractions to boost your productivity

  • Help you get more done in less time - whether your working, studying, or just want some screen free time

  • Eliminate distractions, gain control over your screen time, and improve your relationship with technology 

  • Stop doom scrolling! 

One of the things that attracted me to Brick is the one time cost & lifetime access to the product. I’m so tired of paying monthly subscriptions.

One $59 payment changed my relationship with my phone. No additional costs. No add ons.

I love the idea of leaving my phone at home when I go out to dinner with friends to limit distractions, but the reality is that I need it. I use my phone for directions, venmo, and obviously texting! I love that I can Brick my phone to block distracting apps like Instagram, YouTube, and even my Email when I’m out and about. It really helps me stay present with friends! 

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How does Brick App Blocker work?

First, purchase a Brick (get 10% off Brick with this link!).  It’s a physical block that will be mailed to you. 

When your Brick arrives, download the app for your iPhone or Android phone. 

Then, put your physical Brick somewhere you will have access to it. It’s magnetic, so you can put it on the fridge, a whiteboard in your office, or even your junk drawer in the kitchen. 


Choose which apps you want to Block. 


Tap your phone to your Brick & enjoy a mindful day! 

When you want to open the apps you blocked, you can retap your phone to the Brick to “unbrick” your phone. 

You can also play with the settings to set up automatic times when your phone is Bricked (and select different apps for different times of day!)

An iPhone with the Brick App open is being tapped against a small gray Brick tile on a fridge to use the phone more mindfully - Executive Functioning First

Physically “Bricking” my phone helped me stop doomscrolling & use my phone more intentionally

Who is Brick App Blocker For?

Brick is for anyone who: 

  • Is addicted to their phone

  • Is tired of doom scrolling

  • Has tried other strategies or apps to block apps on their phone and didn’t work 

Brick is also perfect for people with ADHD because it isn’t a subscription.

It’s a one time purchase with lifetime access. No forgotten subscriptions. No ADHD tax. One payment = a lifetime of mindful phone use!

What I Love About Brick App Blocker (And What I Don’t)

For me the standout feature for Brick is that it is a literal, physical brick. I love tapping my phone and setting intentions to be mindful. It feels different than opening an app to block other apps. 

If you’re trying to decide if Brick is right for you, here are the pros and cons of Brick: 

Pros: 

  • Affordable. One payment of $59 gives you lifetime access to the physical Brick & app. But get 10% off when you purchase with this link! How much is your time and attention worth? 

  • No add-ons, upsells, or confusing features. 

  • You can create multiple custom modes for different parts of your day (Work, School, Family Time). Each mode has its own set of blocked apps. 

  • You can set your phone to automatically Brick at set times each day, including custom schedules to help you focus on what really matters and build healthy habits. 

  • If you’re not physically near your Brick, but still want to block apps, you can still activate Brick Mode from the app itself (but you still need the Brick to unlock it!) 

  • There’s even Strict Mode to prevent you from deleting the app to be able to unbrick your phone 

Cons: 

  • When you’re unbricked and have access to your apps, there’s no reminder to stop scrolling. If you get stuck doomscrolling, Brick doesn’t help you stop (like other Apps). The only work around for this is to have a scheduled time that your phone re-bricks. So it’s not perfect.

  • If you lose your brick or need to access an app and aren’t near your brick, you have 5 emergency unbricks - that might create some stress or anxiety for people. 

  • Brick does not block websites on your computer, only your phone. So if you’re someone who logs into distraction websites when your phone is blocked, you would need a different blocker for that.

Screen display of a phone that is using Brick to Stop doomscrolling compared to a phone with a screen limit for Brick App Blocker Review - Executive Functioning First

Stop easily overriding your time limit & get back to living intentionally with Brick

Is Brick App Blocker Worth it?

Yes, Brick is totally worth it because one $59 payment (10% off here!) is a small price to pay to get back your time, attention and focus.

Your phone is a tool. It is meant to make life easier - not suck you into a doomscroll. 

Brick is different from other apps designed to block you out distracting apps. What makes Brick different is that you physically leave the “key” that re-enables distractions behind, so your phone is just a tool that supports you and not a distraction.  

There’s no such thing as the “perfect” tool or app. Just because something worked for one person, doesn’t mean it will work for you. But, if you’re struggling with doomscrolling, feel addicted to your phone, and are looking for a solution, I highly recommend trying Brick!

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