Phone distraction-blocking tools like the $59 Brick device rely on Near Field Communication chips to establish physical barriers against doomscrolling. Yet users can replicate this exact setup for free using blank NFC tags or printed QR codes paired with open-source software like Foqos for iOS or Switchly for Android.
The $59 Hardware Tax on Digital Discipline
Commercial hardware solutions such as the Brick device use an embedded NFC chip to restrict access to targeted applications. When users want to scroll through apps like Instagram, they must physically retrieve the device and tap their phone against it to lift the software restriction.
Bypassing Proprietary Gadgets With Dollar-Store Tags
The underlying technology requires no proprietary hardware.
Blank NFC tags cost roughly one dollar and operate on the same communication standard found in standard credit cards and passports. Alternatively, users can utilize standard printers to generate physical QR codes or scan existing barcodes on household items like books or beverage containers to trigger software locks.
Ali Waseem’s Foqos Brings Physical Control to iOS
For iPhone users, Canadian developer Ali Waseem created Foqos, a free, open-source application designed to manage distraction-blocking profiles.
The app lets users assign a physical object—such as an inexpensive NFC tag or a printed QR code—as the required key to start and stop focus sessions. Users can also select daily schedules or scan random barcodes found around the home, eliminating the need to purchase dedicated hardware.
Locking Down Settings to Prevent Weak-Willed Workarounds
To prevent users from bypassing their own restrictions during moments of weakness, Foqos blocks app management while a profile runs, preventing the removal of the blocker itself.
The application operates with a local privacy model that keeps all user data directly on the device.
Salytjy Delivers Android Flexibility With Switchly
Android users seeking a comparable hardware-integrated solution can utilize Switchly, developed by Vienna-based creator Saltyy.
While the Android ecosystem lacks an exact equivalent with the out-of-the-box polish of Foqos, Switchly provides a comparable degree of flexibility for users willing to go through its setup process. Once configured, the application matches the core capability of iOS alternatives by anchoring digital screen time limits to real-world physical actions.
Related reading