Brick Phone Device Review: What a Therapist Thinks
A therapist’s review of the Brick phone lock device, why it helps, and if you should think about getting one yourself.
Just because I am a therapist who is painfully aware of how our phones affect our happiness, interrupt our values-based living, and ultimately diminish our mental health, doesn’t mean I’m immune to the purposefully addictive nature of smartphones.
Like anyone, I go through ups and downs with my relationship with my phone. Sometimes, I am able to step away and get space from my device. Other times, it gets the better of me and I get stuck in the addictive nature of our phones, endless scrolling, and spending less time being present.
You’ve probably heard about or seen advertisements for the Brick phone lock device. I know I did. The Brick company describes it as “a physical device that temporarily removes distracting apps & their notifications from your phone.” It’s that simple. But the results are anything but.
I will say that I am in no way affiliated with Brick. I know there are other similar devices out there now too. I have never used those, so I’m only speaking about my experience with the Brick.
Review of the Brick phone lock device
I saw advertisements for the Brick device for quite some time before I was able to purchase one. That’s because I have an Android phone and originally the Brick was only for iPhones. Once they created the android version, I bought it as fast as I could.
You see, I tried phone timers, putting my phone in another room at times, and sheer willpower. I would have some good stretches of time where I thought I had finally conquered my phone. Then, something would pull me back in and I’d be starting from square one again. I just wanted to be present for the only life I’ll ever live.
I’ve had my own Brick device for about six months now and I’ve recommended it to many of my clients. Here’s what I think…
Why the physical barrier works
The most powerful part of the Brick device is the physical barrier it creates. Most phone strategies rely on willpower. We tell ourselves we’ll use apps less, scroll less, or only check social media at certain times. But willpower is a limited resource, and our phones are specifically designed to override it.
The Brick changes that dynamic. Once your phone is “bricked,” those distracting apps simply aren’t available. You can’t open them even if you reach for your phone out of habit. You have to get up and physically “unbrick” your phone.
That physical interruption gives your brain a chance to pause instead of falling straight into scrolling. I’m always telling my clients to be intentional, and the Brick allows just that. If you want to do something on your phone, you’re going to have to be intentional about unbricking it before you use an app you blocked.
As a therapist, this is what I appreciate most about the device. It changes the environment instead of asking you to constantly fight a battle you cannot win.
What using the Brick actually looks like in daily life
When my phone is bricked, the experience is surprisingly simple. My phone still works for the things I actually need: calls, texts, maps, music, and other essential apps.
What disappears are the things that tend to hijack my attention. I block Google (both search and browser) and any social media apps. You can customize the Brick to block whatever you need it to.
The difference is subtle but noticeable. I still pick up my phone out of habit sometimes, but instead of getting pulled into a scrolling session, there’s nothing there to pull me in. Most of the time I just put the phone back down. That small interruption adds up throughout the day.
We keep our Brick on our refrigerator so it’s accessible but not right near us. It requires intention to unbrick our phone.
I have my Brick set to automatically brick my phone at 7pm. I get my evening back to be present. I enjoy watching a TV show without doing the classic half-watching/scrolling I used to. Sometimes I want to Google something like what else an actor is in, and I can’t. And that’s about as inconvenient as it gets. This also allows me to still use my phone as my alarm each morning without then getting stuck on it.
And over time, my brain has learned that my phone is not the endless dopamine hit it once was, and it looks for it less and less.
Why I recommend the Brick device to clients
Smartphone addiction is real. It’s consuming so many people and changing our lives for the worst. There’s a lawsuit going on right now about how addicting social media is. Every single one of my clients mentions struggling with their phone use. That is not an exaggeration.
Our phones are designed to be addictive. There is nothing wrong with you if you are addicted to your phone. Your brain is working as it should work. That’s the issue. If we choose to use smartphones, we are choosing to fight this device every day. The Brick helps you fight it.
One of the biggest challenges people face when trying to change phone habits is the constant mental negotiation.
You tell yourself:
“I’ll just check one thing.”
“I’ll only scroll for a minute.”
“I deserve a little break.”
Before you know it, 20 minutes are gone. Or, often more.
The Brick removes that negotiation. When the apps aren’t available, the decision is already made. That reduction in decision fatigue is incredibly helpful for anyone stuck in the cycle of mindlessly picking up their phone.
When a tool like the Brick makes sense
A device like Brick isn’t necessary for everyone. Some people can make small behavioral changes and feel much better about their phone use.
But if you’ve already tried things like:
Screen time limits
App timers
Turning off notifications
Deleting apps temporarily
…and still find yourself pulled back into the same habits, a physical barrier like Brick can make a meaningful difference.
If you want more ideas for improving your relationship with your phone, you can also check out my blog on how to stop phone addiction, where I share practical strategies beyond using a device like Brick.
Is the Brick phone device worth it?
For me and many people, yes. The Brick device isn’t magic, but it is a surprisingly effective tool.
What it does well is simple: it creates a physical boundary between you and the apps designed to capture your attention. That boundary gives your brain space to reset, be more present, and spend less time scrolling and scrolling and scrolling and scrolling.
Want more tools like this?
If you’re trying to build a healthier relationship with your phone, reduce anxiety, and be more present in your daily life, you’re not alone. In my newsletter, I share practical strategies, therapist insights, and realistic ways to step back from constant scrolling and reconnect with what actually matters.
You can join my newsletter here.
About the author:
Hi, I’m Shannon. I’m a psychotherapist who works with Millennial and Gen Z women who feel stuck in the cycle of constant phone use, distraction, and endless scrolling.
Many of the people I work with know their phones are pulling them away from the life they actually want to be living. In therapy, we focus on building healthier boundaries with technology, reconnecting with personal values, and creating more space to be present with the people and experiences that matter most.
Tools like the Brick device can be one step in that process. My goal is to help people move from feeling controlled by their phones to feeling intentional about how they spend their time and attention.
If you are in Illinois or Wisconsin, connect with me to see if we may be a good fit to meet your needs and goals. You can also explore more resources on my website about anxiety, stress, and improving your relationship with technology.
