# Foqos - Tap to Block — Physical App Blocker

> Physical app blocker using NFC tags or QR codes for instant focus. (iPhone/iPad app by Ali Waseem.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/foqos-tap-to-block/id6736793117 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ali Waseem](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476502549)
- Category: Productivity, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 4,271 App Store ratings · 616 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 27 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-01-24
- Data updated: 2026-09-06
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/foqos-tap-to-block/id6736793117/reviews.md

## What is Foqos?

Turn your phone into a distraction-free zone in seconds.

Choose the apps that pull you in Instagram, TikTok, games, email, or anything else and block them instantly with a single tap or scan. No complicated settings, no endless menus.

Here is how it works in real life:

• Studying at your desk  
Place an NFC tag or QR code on your desk. When it is time to study, tap your phone on the tag or scan the code. Social media, games, and other distracting apps are blocked so you can focus on your notes, not your notifications.

• Deep work at the office  
Stick a tag on your monitor or laptop. Before you start an important task, tap or scan. Messaging, email, and news apps are paused so you can stay in flow and actually finish that report.

• Reading and writing  
Put a tag on your bedside table, notebook, or favorite reading spot. Tap or scan to block the apps that break your concentration so you can read, journal, or write without reaching for your feed every few minutes.

• Focus anywhere  
Add tags to places where you tend to lose time the kitchen, couch, or coffee table. One tap or scan turns your phone from a distraction machine into a simple tool for the task at hand.

You are always in control:

• Pick exactly which apps to block for each tag or code  
• Create different focus setups for work, study, or downtime  
• Turn blocks on with a tap or scan, and off just as easily when you are done

Instead of relying on willpower every time you pick up your phone, change your environment so focus becomes the default. Set up your tags or codes once, then use them whenever you sit down to concentrate.

Choose your apps. Tap or scan. Stay focused.

## Key features

- Block apps with NFC tags or QR codes
- Create custom focus setups
- Instant blocking with a tap or scan
- Select specific apps to block
- Turn blocks on and off easily

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip for developer | $1.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Foqos?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Apple watch compatible
- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 👍 Flexible and customizable
- 👍 Free and open-source
- 👍 Simple and effective
- 👍 Inexpensive alternative to paid options
- 👍 Reclaims productivity

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🐛 Issues with app/website blocking
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App settings turning off on their own
- Blocked apps still accessible
- App picker crashing when selecting apps

**Most requested features**

- Ability to schedule app blocking
- Integrate with shortcuts for voice/other triggers
- Emergency override with restrictions
- Combined QR and NFC unlock option
- App/website search and sorting
- Lock screen widget to show active profile

## Recent user reviews (10 of 616)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/foqos-tap-to-block/id6736793117/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Love this app

*2026-08-31, version 2.2.3*

I didn’t want to pay for a physical phone brick, and I love this app’s features! Even on free only, it’s helped me cut down my screen time significant more than relying on the ios app limits.

### 5/5 — Great app, incredible that it’s free

*2026-08-31, version 2.2.3*

Feature request: ability to copy/duplicate profiles. I want the same profile to re-trigger at different times cause I often unset the one I set for bedtime and want a second one as a reminder.

### 5/5 — How is this free

*2026-08-31, version 2.2.3*

The fact this is free and on the Apple Store is unbelievable

### 5/5 — W

*2026-08-31, version 2.2.3*

Better that brick

### 5/5 — Life changer

*2026-08-31, version 2.2.3*

This app has changed my life thank you so much for creating this and making it free and accessible to everyone I truly have taken back control of my life

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2026-08-30, version 2.2.2*

Was frustrated by the lack of automation features in Brick, this does exactly what I want instead. Thank you for making this!

### 5/5 — Best app

*2026-08-30, version 2.2.2*

Really cool idea and perfect execution.

### 5/5 — Best focus app i ever used

*2026-08-29*

As a person pursuing professional course which requires giving countless hours to study i can say that this is the best app i ever used . Before this i used several apps which are filled with ads and payments and not having enough features . I never ever disappointed with this apps . I was looking forward to buy something called “brick” but its too expensive and i checked for alternative and subsequently i found this app first i was skeptical to use this app but once i used i would say that this is awesome and the developer earned my respect. Its compatible with everything like qr code , nfc tag , and even with apple short cut . I have been using it for more than 6 months

Recently i seen this app featured in mr whose the boss youtube channel and i think this app deserves it. 

Respect to the team behind it

### 5/5 — Scored 10 Points Higher than avg on my med school exams

*2026-08-28, version 2.2.2*

this app has single handedly improved my grades without feeling like I am missing out on socials

### 5/5 — Awesome app to control the dopamine release

*2026-08-28*

I used to waste a lot of time watching YouTube and scrolling videos, this app helps me control the urge by blocking it and helps me sleep early as I have nothing else to do.

## Frequently asked questions about Foqos

### What does Foqos do?

Foqos helps you create a distraction-free environment by allowing you to block specific apps on your phone. You can set up custom blocking profiles for different activities like studying or working, and activate them instantly using NFC tags or QR codes.

### How do I use Foqos to block apps?

You can associate NFC tags or QR codes with specific sets of apps you want to block. When you need to focus, simply tap your phone on an NFC tag or scan a QR code. This will instantly block the chosen distracting apps, allowing you to concentrate on your task.

### Is Foqos free to use?

The application is free to download and use, with options for in-app purchases. These purchases likely unlock additional features or customization options beyond the core blocking functionality.

### What are the use cases for Foqos?

Foqos is ideal for situations where you need to minimize phone distractions. This includes studying at your desk, deep work at the office, reading and writing, or any other time you want to focus without interruptions from social media, games, or email.

### Can I customize which apps are blocked?

Yes, you have complete control over which apps are blocked. For each NFC tag or QR code you set up, you can precisely choose the specific apps that will be blocked when activated. This allows for highly personalized focus sessions.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.2.3 — 2026-08-30

Oh boy do we have a literally so many bug fixes and little improvements. The start configuration is now configurable in the profile, you can set it so that it doesn’t ask all the time. Also we made it easier for people to reset profiles that might be bugged out. Plus a bunch of other fixes

### 2.2.2 — 2026-08-21

Foqos is now available on Mac.

Turn on Sync to Mac for any profile to keep your chosen websites blocked on your Mac during focus sessions. Changes sync securely through iCloud, so your blocking rules stay consistent across devices.

This update also:
- Fixes Temporary Access for scheduled sessions and sessions that start in the background.
- Improves Live Activity controls and boosts image quality.
- Adds additional bug fixes and reliability improvements.

### 2.1.2 — 2026-08-11

We added a Pause active shortcut so you can enable pauses right from the shortcut apps for supported profiles and we fixed a bug where pause timer strategies were missing the default configuration when it wasn’t completed

### 2.1.1 — 2026-07-28

2 things, one you can now reuse break time that was left, so its no longer a all or one. We also have new icons, including the original. Check what ever matches your style. I like the cat one!

### 2.1 — 2026-07-15

Its finally here, temporary breaks per app. We added a new strategy that allows you to block apps and only access some based on how you want to. Only want Tiktok for 5 minutes 3 times a day? No problem we can now do that. Enjoy!

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## Related topics

[foqos](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/foqos) · [foqus](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/foqus) · [foqus tap to block](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/foqus-tap-to-block) · [focus app blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/focus-app-blocker) · [focus blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/focus-blocker)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-06.*