We tested the Brick. Did it free us from mindless scrolling?

NBC Selected independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.Personal TechWe tested The Brick for two weeks. Did it free us from mindless scrolling?The Brick is a physical and digital device that aims to make your phone less distracting. We tested it for two weeks to see if it curbed our doomscrolling.Updated Aug. 14, 2026, 10:20 AM EDTHarry RabinowitzTech ReporterNBC Selected StaffStaffSkip to table of contentsThe Brick is part app, part physical device: it comes with a small magnetic puck that’s integral to the experience.Courtesy of Mili Godio; Courtesy of Harry RabinowitzIn this articleWhat is the Brick?How does the Brick work?Mili Godio, updates editorAshley Morris, associate SEO reporterCaitlin Cusack, associate social media editorNikki Brown, senior editorRebecca Rodriguez, former editorial projects managerBrick versus other screen time appsWhy trust NBC Selected?See 6 MoreNearly everyone on team NBC Selected thinks they would benefit from less screen time. There are plenty of productivity apps and screen time features that aim to help you focus and reduce distractions, but most of them are easy to override. Perhaps that’s why The Brick caught our attention. It’s both a physical puck and a digital app that “Bricks” your phone, removing access to some (or all) of your apps until you disable it.But does it really work? And is it better than just using your phone’s screentime features to limit app use? Five NBC Selected staffers put The Brick to the test for two weeks. Read their thoughts below.RelatedselectedselectedExpert-recommended productivity and focus appsWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.What is the Brick?The Brick$50.15$59.00BrickNow 15% offThe Brick is an app and physical puck that blocks apps on your phone. The differentiator is that you can only unBrick your phone by tapping it to the physical Brick. If you brick y...