I tried a $59 gadget to cut my phone screen time. It helped me completely break my TikTok habit.

• I recently tried Brick, a $59 gadget designed to help cut down on phone screen time.
• It acts like a physical key. You can only unblock chosen apps by tapping your phone on the Brick device.
• I started using Brick in January, and it's already helped break my TikTok habit.

I'm unfortunately among the millions of people that have become hooked on TikTok, losing countless hours of productivity to 30-second clips of soup recipes I've yet to make, hair-growing products I've yet to buy, and gua sha tutorials I'll likely never try.

Tired of spending my one wild and precious life staring at a screen, I decided to make a change in 2025. And thanks to Brick, a $59 gadget designed to block phone apps, I've actually been able to follow through with this New Year's resolution.

A physical key to becoming distraction-free

As my weekly screen time report became increasingly alarming last year, I attempted to fight back by setting a daily one-hour limit for Instagram and TikTok on my iPhone. But when I realized the limit could be bypassed with the click of a button, the software was quickly rendered completely useless.

This same struggle is what led recent college graduates TJ Driver and Zach Nasgowitz to create Brick, which allows you to temporarily block chosen apps and their notifications via a physical device that comes in the form of a 3D-printed 2-inch by 2-inch square magnet. You can still access whatever apps you need throughout the day — like texts, photos, or Google Maps — but Brick makes it harder to give into the temptation of a quick social media dopamine hit.

"With other solutions, the 'key' that re-enables distractions is always present," the Brick website explains. "Brick allows you to leave that key behind, turning your phone into a new, distraction-free device until you return."

How does Brick work?

Setting up Brick couldn't be simpler. After downloading the corresponding app and creating a Brick account with my email, I activated my Brick by tapping the top of my phone on the lightweight square. A single Brick can be used with multiple iPhones — unlike your Netflix account, there's no limit — so my boyfriend was able to connect his iPhone to it as well (Brick is currently not available for Android users).

I was then prompted to allow screen time access to Brick, which gives it the ability to block and unblock apps on the iPhones, and create my first "Mode." You can create different modes to block different apps. I made one titled "Get to work!" and chose to block Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

You can activate these modes through the app or by physically tapping your phone on the square. But you can only deactivate the block by tapping your phone against the Brick.

A swift change in habits

The very first day I used Brick, I was forced to come to terms with how hooked I'd become to social media. I caught myself unconsciously picking up my phone multiple times an hour to check Instagram or TikTok. It was a major wake-up call.

So I became diligent about tapping my phone to the little Brick every morning, leaving the square in my boyfriend's office for five to seven hours daily so I wouldn't be tempted. The effect was almost immediate.

After using Brick for just over a month, my weekly screen report has never looked better. I now barely pick up my phone during work hours and feel far less drained after each day, no doubt thanks in part to quieting the constant stream of notifications. It already seems like my brain is starting to retrain itself. Even when I don't use Brick on the weekends, I'm checking TikTok and Instagram way less.

I still have plenty of work to do when it comes to untethering myself from the grips of social media, but Brick is definitely helping.

Who knows, maybe now I'll finally make one of those soup recipes.