You Don't Need to Buy Brick — Free Apps Offer the Same Distraction Blocking
The popular $59 Brick device that blocks distracting apps turns out to be just an NFC chip, and free apps combined with a cheap NFC tag or QR code can do the same job.
Brick, a $59 device marketed as a way to curb phone distractions, works by requiring users to tap their phone against it before restricted apps like Instagram can be unlocked, forcing them to physically get up and find the device rather than mindlessly scrolling.
It turns out Brick is essentially just an NFC chip, similar to those found in credit cards or passports. Blank NFC chips can be bought for around a dollar, and free applications exist that replicate Brick's functionality using such chips. Several of these apps also support QR codes as triggers, meaning a printer is all that's needed to set up a physical barrier against distraction.
For iPhone users
Foqos, a free open-source iOS app built by a Canadian developer, lets users create profiles that block chosen apps until unlocked by an NFC tag, a QR code, or any barcode already lying around the house, such as one on a book or beverage. The app also supports blocking on a daily schedule. Crucially, it prevents users from deleting the app or altering settings while a blocking session is active, closing an obvious loophole for anyone trying to resist temptation. Its privacy policy states no data leaves the device.
For Android users
Android users can turn to Switchly, developed by a Vienna-based creator. Setup takes more effort than Foqos, but the app is similarly feature-rich, supporting blocking of apps and specific URLs, triggered by NFC chips, QR codes, or a schedule. A premium tier adds triggers based on a connected Wi-Fi network or nearby Bluetooth device. An experimental feature allows blocking specific functions within an app, such as video-reel sections, rather than the whole app. Another option worth considering is Lock, a more streamlined app that only supports NFC chips as triggers.
