Brick is a Bluetooth-enabled hardware device that locks selected apps and silences their notifications on iOS and Android phones, enforcing focus periods through a companion app with customizable block lists and modes. It offers strict mode enforcement to prevent workarounds, a timer for session tracking, and remote activation, all available as a one‑time purchase.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Smartphone users often fall into habitual checking of distracting apps and notifications, which reduces productivity and limits time for focused activities. Existing software-based limits can be easily bypassed, making it difficult to enforce intentional screen‑time boundaries.
Solution
Brick provides a tangible, physical device that temporarily disables selected apps and their notifications on a smartphone. Users configure block or allow lists and create multiple custom modes (e.g., work, study, family) through the companion app. Activating a mode is as simple as tapping the phone to the Brick or holding a button in the app, after which a timer tracks focused time. The device enforces a “strict mode” that prevents easy workarounds such as deleting the app or changing settings, ensuring the intended separation between the user and distracting content. Brick operates without subscriptions, offering a one‑time purchase that includes the hardware and full app access.
Target Audience
Brick is aimed at individuals seeking to improve personal productivity—students, professionals, and families—who want a reliable, low‑friction method to limit smartphone distractions.
Features
- Physical Bluetooth-enabled device that locks selected apps and silences their notifications when activated
- Companion app for iOS 17+ and Android 12+ to configure block/allow lists and up to 10 custom modes
- Strict Mode enforcement that blocks shortcuts, app deletion, and settings changes while Brick is engaged
- Emergency Unbrick feature providing five automatic unblock attempts if the device is lost or unavailable
- Timer display that tracks duration of each focused session and logs usage statistics in the app
- Ability to block individual apps or websites, with platform‑specific restrictions (e.g., Phone app cannot be blocked)
- Remote activation via a virtual Brick button in the app for situations where the physical device is not nearby