Brick User Guide

Below are resources to help get you back to doing more of what matters. If you have further questions, please reach out to hello@getbrick.app

Setting up and using Brick

How do I set up Brick?

This guide can help you set up your Brick.

Why the 50 app limit?

The App Picker Screen is controlled by Apple, who has set a 50 app limit.

If you're hitting the limit, we recommend switching between block and allow mode to see what setting works best for you.

Allow List is best if you only want a few apps to be allowed, such as if you only want access to Messages, Maps, and Music and want everything else blocked.

Block List is best if you want access to the majority of your apps and only want to block out a few - such as just entertainment or social media blocks.

How do I activate Brick without the device?

Hold down the Brick icon in the app for 5 seconds and confirm to Brick without the device.

What are Emergency Unbricks? How do I reset them?

Brick offers 5 emergency unbricks to unlock your phone without the Brick device if you need immediate access.

These can be accessed through 'Settings' and pressing the “Use An Emergency Unbrick” button when Brick is activated.

If you would like to remove this option, activate your Brick and use all 5 Emergency Unbricks so you have 0 available.

Please reach out to hello@getbrick.app for assistance with resetting your emergency unbricks if needed.

How do I make Brick stricter?

Activate Strict Mode

Prevents users from deleting the app and removes an Emergency Unbrick if Screen Time is toggled off in settings. Strict Mode can be activated in 'Settings' and toggling on ‘Strict Mode’.

Prevent ScreenTime Access

Blocking access to settings is the best way to prevent access to Screen Time settings.This guide can help you block Settings through a shortcut which activates with Brick.

Troubleshooting

How do I make the app picker work?

March 19, 2025: We are working with Apple and are hoping for updates soon.

We're sorry for the frustrating experience. We recommend these fixes:

  • Open only one category at a time when selecting apps.
  • Copy and paste app names from Notes into the search bar.
  • Use voice search in the search bar (if available).
  • Force quit the Brick app and restart your phone.
  • Choose the mode (block vs allow) that requires the fewest apps for setup.

If the issue persists, email us at hello@getbrick.app and we’ll respond within 1 business hour. If we can’t resolve it, we’ll offer a full refund for missing the mark.

We apologize for the frustration and are actively working with Apple to fix this.

What do I do if I am getting an error message?

We're sorry about this! We recommend the following, and try logging back in to Brick after each attempt to see if it is solved.

  • Confirm you are on WiFi or cellular
  • Force quit the Brick app
  • Restart the phone
  • Update the Brick app
  • Update iOS

Brick not activating

Ready to Scan appears when tapping Brick icon

If the 'Ready to Scan' popup appears when you tap the center icon in the app with the word Brick, we'll need to diagnose the issue.

To help us find a solution, download the NFC Tools app from the App Store here. Once installed, open the app, tap ‘Read’, and try scanning your Brick.When you do, please check for the following email hello@getbrick.app with the results so we can help further.

  • Is NFC Tools able to scan the Brick?
  • On the results screen, do you see a section at the bottom labeled ‘Record 1 - Text’ under ‘Writable’?

Ready to Scan does not appear when tapping Brick icon

If the 'Ready to Scan' popup doesn't appear when you tap the center icon in the app with the word Brick, it's likely due to a sync issue with Brick and iOS.

The following fixes should help. You can try activating the Brick after each step to see if that works.

  • Force quit the app
  • Restart the device
  • Update the Brick App
  • Delete and redownload the app
  • Update iOS

Apps not blocking correctly

All of my apps aren’t blocking correctly

  1. Confirm Brick has Screen Time access - Brick toggle should be green.
    Settings > Screen Time > Toggle Brick access on
  2. Check iOS compatibility - Confirm you are using iOS 16.2 or later, and update if iOS is older than 16.2.
    Settings > General > Software Update
  3. Remove App Limits from Screen Time - iPhones default to any Apple Screen Time limits over Brick modes. Ensure that App Limits are toggled off, or all App Limits are 'Off'.
    Settings > Screen Time > App Limits
  4. Remove App Limits from other screen time apps - Turn off any other active screen time app sessions. Screen Time can sometimes get confused if multiple systems are running.
    Settings > Screen Time > Toggle other apps off
  5. Restart your device
  6. Delete and redownload Brick
  7. Wait ~4 hours - It can take Settings a few hours to activate.

Non-Apple app allowed when should be blocked

  1. Turn off App Limits from Apple ScreenTime - The phone will default to any existing Apple Screen Time limits and not let Brick work.
    Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Toggle off App Limits
  2. Turn off App Limits from other screen time apps - Turn off any other active screen time app sessions. Brick tries to play nicely with others, but Screen Time can sometimes get confused if multiple systems run. You can turn off within apps, or remove with the instructions below.
    Settings > Screen Time > Apps with Screen Time Access > Toggle Off Other Apps
  3. Delete from Always Allowed - Apps in ‘Always Allowed’ can sometimes overrule Brick modes, especially in Allow Mode.
    Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed > Remove apps trying to block
  4. Search for App in App Picker to confirm selection - Sometimes other apps and categories can interrupt app selections from saving. Search for the app having trouble in the App Picker to ensure it is clicked correctly.
  5. Set up Shortcut - If you’re still having trouble, you can create a shortcut to block when Brick mode is activated. Note that Settings is the example, but any app can be inputted for Settings if not blocking properly.
    Use this link to set up.

Non-Apple app blocking when should be allowed

  1. Turn off App Limits from Apple ScreenTime - The phone will default to any existing Apple Screen Time limits and not let Brick work.
    Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Toggle off App Limits
  2. Turn off App Limits from other screen time apps - Turn off any other active screen time app sessions. Brick tries to play nicely with others, but Screen Time can sometimes get confused if multiple systems run. You can turn off within apps, or remove with the instructions below.
    Settings > Screen Time > Apps with Screen Time Access > Toggle Off Other Apps
  3. Search for App in App Picker to confirm selection - Sometimes other apps and categories can interrupt app selections from saving. Search for the app having trouble in the App Picker to ensure it is clicked correctly.
  4. Add to Always Allowed - Apps in ‘Always Allowed’ can sometimes overrule Brick modes, especially in Allow Mode.
    Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed > Remove apps trying to block
  5. Restart your device
  6. Delete and redownload Brick
  7. Wait ~4 hours - It can take time for settings to activate.

Safari

Safari in Block Mode

The Safari app and specific links are able to be blocked normally by clicking or searching in the App Picker.

Unfortunately we’re currently unable to delete or add to the list of links as Apple populates the list. We’re working on improvements to give users more flexibility and hope to have updates soon.

Safari in Allow Mode

Blocking Safari in Allow Mode currently requires a shortcut. You can set up the shortcut with this guide.

If you'd like more customization to block specific websites, we recommend using Block Mode.

 

Messages, FaceTime, Maps

  1. Delete from Always Allowed - Apps in ‘Always Allowed’ can sometimes overrule Brick modes, especially in Allow Mode.
    Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed > Remove apps trying to block
  2. Turn off App Limits from Apple ScreenTime - The phone will default to any existing Apple Screen Time limits and not let Brick work.
    Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Toggle off App Limits
  3. Turn off App Limits from other screen time apps - Turn off any other active screen time app sessions. Brick tries to play nicely with others, but Screen Time can sometimes get confused if multiple systems run. You can turn off within apps, or remove with the instructions below.
    Settings > Screen Time > Apps with Screen Time Access > Toggle Off Other Apps
  4. Search for App in App Picker to confirm selection - Sometimes other apps and categories can interrupt app selections from saving. Search for the app having trouble in the App Picker to ensure it is clicked correctly.
  5. Set up Shortcut - If you’re still having trouble, you can create a shortcut to block when Brick mode is activated. Note that Settings is the example, but any app can be inputted for Settings if not blocking properly.
    Use this link to set up.
  6. Restart your phone
  7. Delete and redownload Brick
  8. Wait ~4 hours - It can sometimes take Settings some time to kick in.

Settings, Home, Health, Magnifier, Compass, Watch

Unfortunately, certain native Apple apps don’t play nicely with Screen Time and prevent Brick from blocking certain apps normally.

We’ve created a shortcut to help block this App when you’re in Brick mode - for both Block and Allow lists. 

The shortcut is linked here - please reach out to hello@getbrick.app if you have any questions.

Files, FindMy, Clock, Wallet, Fitness

Unfortunately, certain native Apple apps don’t play nicely with Screen Time and prevent Brick from blocking certain apps normally. 

For Block List mode, you can block normally by searching for the app in the search bar (it won’t show up within a category).

For Allow List mode, you’ll need to set up a shortcut to block. You can find the guide to set up here. 

Please reach out to hello@getbrick.app if you have any questions.

Phone

Unfortunately phone is the one app that Brick can’t block via the Brick app or a shortcut.

We’re really sorry for this news, and we’re working on workarounds to give you more control of having phone blocked via Brick mode.

Logistics + returns

Return policy

We want you to be completely satisfied with your Brick purchase. If for any reason you are not happy with your product, you can return it within 30 days of the delivery date for a full refund. Customers returning after 30 days of the delivery date will be responsible for return shipping and handling costs.

Return Guidelines:

  • Eligibility: Items must be returned within 30 days of delivery.
  • Condition: Please ensure that the product is in its original condition and packaging. Any accessories or included items must be returned as well.
  • Refund Process: Once we receive your returned item, we will inspect it. If it meets our return criteria, we will issue a full refund to your original payment method within 5-7 business days.

How to Start a Return:

  • Contact our support team at hello@getbrick.app to initiate your return.
  • Provide your order number and the reason for the return.
  • We will provide instructions on how to ship the item back to us.

Thank you for giving Brick a try!

How to process a return

Please email hello@getbrick.app with your order # for a return label. We’re always trying to make Brick better, so we’d love to hear why Brick ended up not working.