Lagerland Lagerland

Movement-based · Private · On-device

Looking for a
Brick alternative?

Brick is a clever idea — a physical NFC tag you tap to lock your phone, with friction that comes from leaving the tag behind. For people who want a tangible ritual, it works. But it's a gadget to buy, carry, and not lose. EarnLock needs no hardware at all: the apps stay shielded until you actually move. Steps, active minutes, or active calories — measured by Apple Health. The shield shows a live progress ring with the exact count remaining. $19.99 lifetime, one-time — nothing to carry.

See EarnLock Compare side by side

How does EarnLock compare to Brick?

Compared against Brick's public website and product description. Re-verify before buying — competitor offerings and prices change frequently.

Feature EarnLock Brick
How blocked apps unlock Daily activity goal hit (steps / active minutes / active calories), measured by Apple Health Tap the phone to the physical Brick tag to "unbrick"
Extra hardware required No — software only, nothing to buy or carry Yes — a physical NFC tag you must keep and tap
Custom shield with live progress ring on the blocked app Yes — ShieldConfiguration extension paints a ring + "X steps until unlock" Apps are removed/blocked while bricked; no activity progress ring
Apple Watch app + complications Yes — Watch reads HealthKit on-wrist, count keeps running without the iPhone Not an activity-goal surface
Cost Free to start; $19.99 lifetime (one-time), no hardware ~$59 physical device (one-time) + free app
Commitment style Movement gate — you earn the unlock by moving Physical ritual — you choose to leave the tag behind
Emergency unlock Yes — 1/day, math-gated (real arithmetic) A limited number of free "emergency unbricks"
Account or sign-up required No — no email, no Apple ID required Check current requirements
Third-party tracking SDKs None — Apple verifies "Data Not Collected" Check current nutrition label
Family Sharing eligible Yes — every paid tier; one purchase covers up to 5 family members Hardware is per-device; check current terms

Verified 2026-06-14 against Brick's public website and product page. Device pricing varies; re-verify before buying.

When should I pick Brick instead?

Honest answer — Brick is a strong tool, and for some people the hardware is the whole point:

EarnLock is for the person who doesn't want another gadget to buy, carry, and lose — who'd rather the unlock cost be a walk or a workout, enforced by Apple's Family Controls, proven by Apple Health, with the count on their wrist, for $19.99 once and nothing physical to track.

About EarnLock

EarnLock icon
EarnLock
Earn your screen time. Move, then scroll.
Lock Instagram, TikTok, X until you hit your daily step goal. Custom shield, Apple Watch, no account, no server. $19.99 lifetime — or free.
lifestyle iOS · watchOS

Questions

FAQ

What is the best alternative to Brick?
EarnLock is a no-hardware, movement-based alternative to Brick. Brick is a physical NFC tag (around $59) you tap to start and end focus sessions. EarnLock needs no device: it shields your chosen apps through Apple's Family Controls until you hit a real daily activity goal — steps, active minutes, or active energy — measured by Apple Health, with a live progress ring on every blocked app. $19.99 lifetime (one-time), nothing to carry. No account, no analytics SDK, no server.
How is EarnLock different from Brick?
Brick is hardware: you tap your phone to a physical NFC tag to block or unblock, and the friction comes from physically leaving the tag elsewhere. EarnLock is software-only: the friction is a daily activity goal your body has to meet, measured by Apple Health, and the unlock happens automatically when you cross it. EarnLock has nothing to buy, charge, carry, or lose, and surfaces the count on your Apple Watch. Brick offers a stronger physical-ritual commitment for people who want a tangible object in the loop.
Is EarnLock cheaper than Brick?
Yes. Brick requires buying the physical device (commonly around $59) before the free app does anything. EarnLock is software-only — free to start, then $19.99 lifetime (one-time) — with no hardware purchase. If you'd rather not spend on a gadget you have to keep track of, EarnLock is the lower-cost path. Re-verify Brick's current device price before buying.
Do I need to carry anything with EarnLock?
No. Brick's mechanic depends on the physical tag — leave it at home and your apps stay blocked, which is the point, but it also means you have to manage an object. EarnLock has nothing to carry: the gate is your daily activity goal, read from Apple Health on the iPhone and Apple Watch. The only thing you need to bring is yourself, moving.
Is EarnLock private?
Yes. EarnLock has no account, no server, no analytics SDK, no advertising SDK, and no third-party SDKs of any kind. HealthKit data is read on-device only and never transmitted off the device. Apple's App Privacy nutrition label shows Data Not Collected for every release. Self-restriction only — never parental control.
Can EarnLock block the same apps Brick can?
Yes. EarnLock blocks any iOS app or category via Apple's Family Controls picker — the same kinds of apps Brick removes during a session. The difference is the unlock: Brick needs a tap on the physical tag, while EarnLock unlocks automatically when you hit your daily activity goal.

Start here

Try EarnLock.

Movement is the unlock. Apple Health is the proof. No account, no server, no analytics SDK.

Learn about EarnLock