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| Brick App Review |
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Brick App Review: Is This App the Wake-Up Call You Need?
This is the ultimate brick app review, written without the fluff or fake praise. If you’ve been trapped in an endless cycle of scrolling, this article will tell you everything — the good, the bad, and the part no one warns you about.
What Is the Brick App?
The Brick App is a digital wellness app designed to help users break free from screen addiction and regain control of their time. It isn’t another timer or mindfulness tool. It offers a structured, sometimes ruthless way to block out distractions by limiting access to time-wasting apps, such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or games.
At its core, it’s about behavior change, not notifications. I also wrote a review on Down App, you must read it.
What Brick App Offers: Full Feature Breakdown
Let’s look at each feature and how it works in real life:
1. App Blocking
- Select apps you want to block — social media, games, entertainment, anything addictive.
- You can create “sessions” where these apps are completely disabled for a specified period.
- Apps are locked with no way to access them until the session ends.
2. Hard Lock Mode
- Once activated, there is no turning back. Even restarting your phone or deleting the app won’t cancel the session.
- This is what makes Brick more powerful than typical focus apps — it holds you accountable.
3. Focus Sessions
- Create a custom focus window (30 minutes to several hours).
- You can schedule regular blocks or manually start them when needed.
4. Usage Tracking
- Daily and weekly summaries show your total screen time, app usage, and progress.
- You’ll see how much time you’re reclaiming.
5. Screen-Free Challenges
- Optional “no screen” challenges with reminders, progress badges, and personal milestones.
- Works well if you’re competitive or want a sense of achievement.
6. Group Focus
- Compete or collaborate with friends. A great option for families or accountability groups.
7. Notifications Management
- Temporarily silences distracting app alerts during focus sessions.
8. Parental Control Mode
- For parents, Brick also offers features that help manage a child’s phone use simply and strictly.
How Brick App Works in Practice
Installing the app is straightforward — it is available on both iOS and Android.
Once you set it up:
- Choose which apps to block.
- Select how long you want to block them.
- Start the session. Done.
If you want stricter control, turn on Hard Lock — no cheat codes, no early exits.
Unlike standard timers or “Focus Modes” that can be overridden with a tap, Brick prevents you from self-sabotaging.
Brick App vs Brick Phone vs Unpluq: What’s the Difference?
Let’s break it down without using a table, so everything is clear and direct.
Brick App:
- It’s a mobile app that turns your smartphone into a less addictive tool.
- You can customize what gets blocked, when, and how intensely.
- Works on both iPhone and Android.
- Best if you want to reduce usage without buying new hardware.
Brick Phone:
- A minimalist phone created by the same company. It’s a physical phone that removes all distractions — no social media, no app store, no internet browsing.
- Offers calls, texts, music, a camera, and a few essential tools.
- For those who want a complete break from smartphones and are ready to switch devices entirely.
Unpluq Key:
- A physical USB dongle (for Android only) that acts as a “key” to unlock distracting apps.
- Plug it in to access your regular apps, remove it to return to a focus state.
- Ideal if you want a physical trigger to limit access.
Which One Is Better?
- For full detox: Brick Phone
- For practical control: Brick App
- For tech-savvy Android users: Unpluq
Pricing Breakdown: Is Brick Worth the Cost?
Free Plan Includes:
- Basic blocking features
- Limited number of sessions per day
- Basic focus timer and usage stats
Premium Plan (Approx. $3 to $10/month depending on region):
- Unlimited sessions and app blocks
- Hard Lock mode
- Advanced challenge features
- Detailed usage statistics
- Group mode and team challenges
The free version is enough to try things out, but if you're serious about long-term habit change, the premium version is worth the upgrade.
Trustpilot Reviews: What Real People Are Saying
Here are some verified user reviews from Trustpilot:
User 1 – 5 Stars
“I’ve cut my phone use by more than 50%. The hard lock is genius. I thought I’d hate it, but I love it now. It’s saved me hours every day.”
User 2 – 4 Stars
“Great app. It could be even better with some minor improvements in the interface, but it does what it promises.”
User 3 – 5 Stars
“I’ve tried everything — grayscale mode, timers, productivity apps — nothing stuck. Brick is the only one who made me realize how much time I waste.”
What People Are Saying on Reddit
We checked multiple threads from the r/nosurf, r/productivity, and r/digitalminimalism communities:
Reddit User A
“Brick App helped me pass my midterms. I couldn’t open Reddit, YouTube, or anything. It was painful at first, but worth it.”
Reddit User B
“I use Brick with grayscale and a lock screen timer. My phone now feels like a dumb calculator. But I get so much more done.”
Reddit User C
“Compared to Unpluq, Brick wins for me because I’m on iPhone. I like that I didn’t need to buy anything extra.”
Real-Life Test: My 7-Day Experience with the Brick App
Day 1: Blocked Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook for 3 hours. Checked the phone 20 times in the first 30 minutes out of habit.
Day 3: Got through an entire book chapter without checking messages once. Started to enjoy the silence.
Day 5: Used Hard Lock to block everything from 8 PM to 7 AM. Woke up feeling less foggy.
Day 7: Cut daily screen time from 6.5 hours to 2.7 hours. Work productivity improved, and I even went for a walk without needing a podcast to fill the silence.
Pros and Cons of the Brick App
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use
- Customizable blocking and schedules
- Hard Lock forces discipline
- Free version works well for most people
- Works on both Android and iPhone
- Keeps your existing phone
Cons:
- Can still bypass features unless you use Hard Lock
- Interface can feel minimal at times
- Some features are limited on iOS due to system restrictions
- Requires personal motivation to keep using consistently
People Also Ask: FAQ
Q: Is the Brick App free to use?
Yes, it has a free version with essential features. A premium version unlocks Hard Lock and other advanced tools.
Q: Can I use the Brick App on an iPhone?
Yes. While iOS has some restrictions compared to Android, the app still works effectively for blocking distractions.
Q: Is the Brick Phone different from the app?
Yes. The Brick Phone is a minimalist hardware phone designed to remove distractions completely. The app helps reduce usage on your current smartphone.
Q: Can I delete Brick App to bypass a Hard Lock?
No. If Hard Lock is on, the app prevents deletion during a session, making it very difficult to cheat.
Q: Does Brick collect personal data?
According to their privacy policy, Brick stores minimal data for functionality and does not sell your information to third parties.
Final Verdict: Should You Use the Brick App?
If you’ve been trying to reclaim your time, attention, and peace of mind, the Brick App might be the thing you’ve been waiting for.
It's not magic — it still requires willpower. But it gives you the tools to stop reaching for your phone every 2 minutes.
Compared to apps that only track your time or give you warnings, Brick takes action — and doesn’t let you cheat.
If you're serious about breaking screen addiction without giving up your smartphone completely, Brick App is worth a try.