Device bricking

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A "Bricked" device is a device which has had its main functions rendered unusable, such a device is commonly refereed to as a brick. Companies reserve the right to remotely brick a consumers device if they attempt to do anything that goes against the terms of service the company sets for their devices. A recent example of this can be seen from the release of the Switch 2 from Nintendo.

A company may justify "Bricking" a consumers device for "safety concerns". With intent to discourage "Homebrewed" devices (devices with unofficial, third-party or user-created modifications) from being created and to try preventing piracy and hacking. Usually with financial incentives.

Device bricking occurs commonly as a result of Planned obsolescence, where a company's goal is to force the consumer to buy new and replace the old product, now rendered unusable.

Recent cases of Device bricking

Time of incident	Company name	Reason	Effects	Details
June 2025 - Ongoing	Nintendo	EULA violation	All games not fully downloaded prior rendered unplayable, online features disabled	In a May 2025 policy update, Nintendo stated they may "render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."