Brick Device Offers 'Dumbphone' Solution to Digital Overload

The magnetized Brick blocks social media apps, forcing users to physically tap their phone to access them.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Brick, a small square device that pairs with a user's smartphone and allows them to select which apps they want to block, has become increasingly popular during the 'dumbphone' boom. The device creates an extra step to access blocked apps, helping users like Haley Taylor break the cycle of endless doomscrolling. While not a permanent fix, the Brick's streamlined design and functionality have made it a game-changer for some.

Why it matters

In a world of constant digital overstimulation, the Brick offers a low-tech solution to a high-tech problem, providing an 'appstinance' option for users who aren't willing to go completely off the grid. The device's popularity highlights a growing desire for more mindful and intentional technology use, especially among younger generations.

The details

The Brick is a 2-inch square device that pairs with a user's smartphone and allows them to select which apps they want to block. In order to unblock the apps, users have to physically tap their phone to the device, creating an extra step that encourages them to pause and think about whether they really want to return to scrolling. The device's magnetized back also makes it easy to attach to surfaces like refrigerators, helping users keep it in a consistent location and avoid misplacing it.

  • Haley Taylor's husband brought home the Brick device last summer.
  • The Brick device has received nearly 40,000 likes on social media.

The players

Haley Taylor

A 32-year-old Santa Barbara-based executive assistant at Patreon who has found success using the Brick device to break her doomscrolling habit.

TJ Driver

The 25-year-old co-founder of Brick, who designed the device to be a middle ground between friction and flexibility.

Dr. Melissa Hunt

The associate director of clinical training in the psychology department at the University of Pennsylvania, who has studied the effects of screentime and social media use on well-being.

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What they’re saying

“I was a little resistant, because I was like, 'I don't have a problem with scrolling.' But I ended up trying it out, and now I love it. I love the routine it has created for me.”

— Haley Taylor, Executive Assistant (Elle Decor)

“A lot of people are like, 'Just use your Screen Time feature.' And it's like, no, that's not good enough for a lot of people. You need the physical element of having to get off the couch and go touch your phone to it.”

— Haley Taylor, Executive Assistant (Elle Decor)

“We wanted it to be something that wasn't easily misplaced. We have a lot of stuff that gets lost on our desks or tables when things get cluttered. So by putting a magnet in it, the Brick could live on a wall (fridge, microwave, whiteboard, etc.), making it much harder to misplace or forget about.”

— TJ Driver, Co-Founder of Brick (Elle Decor)

What’s next

The Brick device continues to gain popularity, with the company exploring new iterations and features to further address digital overload.

The takeaway

The Brick's success highlights a growing demand for mindful, low-tech solutions to the high-tech problems of constant digital stimulation and addiction. While not a permanent fix, the device's simple design and functionality offer a compelling alternative to the endless scrolling that has become a hallmark of modern life.