# Foqos - Tap to Block — user reviews > 621 indexed App Store user reviews of Foqos by Ali Waseem, rated 4.90/5 from 4,513 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/foqos-tap-to-block/id6736793117/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/foqos-tap-to-block/id6736793117.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 4,338 · 4★ 97 · 3★ 20 · 2★ 15 · 1★ 43 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (20 of 621) ### 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. ### 5/5 — Saving me from myself *2026-08-27, version 2.2.2* Game changer for me, the physical step of needing to scan an nfc tag (how I set it up, it’s flexible) is amazing. Much more helpful than the built in screen time. And it’s open source. And, bonus, being able to change the icon is nice too. My favorite is the little cat staring at the hourglass. ### 5/5 — AMAZING *2026-08-26, version 2.2.2* this is an amazing app!!! THANK YOU for making it free and no subscription!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE ### 5/5 — Life changing! *2026-08-25, version 2.2.2* Literally got 15 hours of my life back over one week! ### 5/5 — Great app *2026-08-25, version 2.2.2* Great app with a great developer who is active and answers questions. This is a much better alternative than the version of this app that make you pay. I usually never leave reviews on apps but this one has made a huge difference for me, so much so that I even donated to the dev ### 5/5 — Helps me prevent doomscrolling *2026-08-25, version 2.2.2* Simple setup and helps me restrict myself from endless usage of apps. ### 5/5 — Better than Bricks *2026-08-24, version 2.2.2* I’ve been using this app for a while and I really love it. I love that I can set multiple sessions with multiple nfc tags. I have one for sleeping, one for the morning and one for deep study. I am afraid of what would happen if during a session I lose the nfc tag and I’m unable to unlock. So I always enable emergency bypass. This is more of a personal issue though as I tent to lose things easily and so far it has not happened. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2026-08-23* Absolutely phenomenal app works really well. The only thing I would add is somehow a work around for multiple concurrent focus sessions at once and maybe a time limit on apps. Otherwise this app is genuinely a prayer answered!! ### 5/5 — THANK YOU *2026-08-23* Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for creating this app! You’ve changed my life (and countless others) ### 5/5 — 100% Zufriedenheit *2026-08-22* Ich bin äußerst zufrieden mit der App. Sie tut genau das, was sie soll und ich bin seit dem kaum noch auf den Apps, die ich gesperrt habe. Auch angenehm finde ich, dass sie keine Benachrichtigungen sendet. Kann es nur empfehlen. ### 5/5 — Honestly really cool *2026-08-21, version 2.2.2* I found this app based of a tiktok review of someone who made their own really cute brick and used a barcode to lock their apps and not only was it a fun crafty project but the app is just really simple and cool to use too!! I also like seeing my progress visually over time, makes me feel proud of myself. ### 5/5 — Incredible *2026-08-20, version 2.1.2* What a gem of an app. After trying Brick, I wanted to find an alternative for NFC based blockers, and this one is amazing. Open source, tons of features but still lightweight enough that it doesn’t feel cluttered. Thank you so much for making this. ### 5/5 — love this app *2026-08-19, version 2.1.2* i love this app! it’s helped me to stay focused and not waste time doomscrolling ! i highly recommend! ### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for *2026-08-16, version 2.1.2* I was deep into researching dumb phones, when I almost bought a “Brick”. Then I found this and it’s worked brilliantly. I have QR codes I’ve placed in my car and wallet for when I go out, otherwise my phone is very locked down. Thank you! ### 5/5 — CHANGED ME So much *2026-08-16* I cannot first and foremost thank the creators who work on this and are making it free. I swear I will donate money as often as I can. But this has really mentally helped me to remember that I don’t have to get rid 10hr screen time with just free will and that’s okay 😭😭😭. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. I have been able to set proper boundaries with technology and I’m pursuing more of my past hobbies like writing and reading and journaling and researching that I MISSED so much from bed rotting on my phone all day. So once again thank youuuuu with all my heart ❤️ !! ### 5/5 — Brilliant *2026-08-14, version 2.1.2* Absolutely fantastic! I’m very thankful for this app. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not sure what happened… *2026-05-15, version 1.33.1* Been using this app for months and loved it. This week it started acting weird. It’s had me locked out of my phone for over 24 hours. Not sure what to do. NFC tags won’t stop it. Hitting the stop button doesn’t work. ### 1/5 — Stopped schedule blocking *2026-05-09, version 1.32.4* It suddenly stopped blocking my schedule and that option no longer exists ### 1/5 — unwanted lock out *2026-01-04, version 1.28* Not even been using the app 48 hours, and I am locked out of the selected apps past the time I’d chosen and with the ability to tap out with QR code disabled. I rarely if ever leave negative reviews for anything. So really disappointed in this. Only support offered is on X or Threads, neither of which I have (to limit how much content I consume!) ### 1/5 — So sad this didn’t work *2026-01-01, version 1.28* I really wanted to love this app because it has everything I’m looking for. Unfortunately, the QR code scanner doesn’t work. I was trying to test the QR code unlocking before I started studying, and I kept getting “Error: The operation couldn’t be completed. (CodeScanner.ScanError error 3.)” when I try to unlock. I had to use my Emergencies to get it to unlock each time. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t block social media sites despite adding to the block list *2025-02-24, version 1.4* Same as above ### 2/5 — War einmal gut *2026-08-02* Funktioniert jetzt nicht mehr und ich kann keine einzelnen Apps mehr auswählen. Schade ### 2/5 — Camera doesn’t work? *2026-07-08, version 2.0.7* I was enjoying the apo but then suddenly my camera would be completely black only in the app and I could no longer scan my QR code ### 2/5 — Good until recent update *2026-06-30, version 2.0.6* At the recent update my profiles were not the same, and I cannot choose certain apps to allow or restrict. Unfortunately, this limitation is making the app worthless. ### 2/5 — Bugs in the app *2026-06-22, version 2.0.5* This app is great for focusing on tasks. But when I scan my QR code to exit focus mode, it says that it’s not the correct QR code. This is untrue because it is the one that I generated in the app. You only get so many emergency stops before it won’t let you use anymore and I’m at the point. This needs to be addressed. ### 2/5 — Meh *2026-04-13* Irritating, unresponsive and temperamental app. I want to be able to set up one nfc tag to start the focus session the a different tag to end the session. Instead I keep getting notified that the tags I w set up aren’t allowed to end sessions. The tag for bedtime for example can only be unlocked by a work focus tag, and one work focus tag apparently isn’t allowed to do anything. I now have tags everywhere so it’s a tedious game of ‘find the tag to turn this session off’ which is really unmotivating. Currently looking for an alternative app. **Developer response:** Hey there sorry to hear your experiences. What you’re asking for is coming out in a new version and not supported in the current version. If you need help I’m more than happy to sit down on a call and guide you through this, trust us we are the best alternative! hello@ambitionsoftware.dev ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Nice *2026-09-03* Best for iphone. ### 5/5 — So good! *2026-09-02* Such a good app. I love being able to physically tap to block apps. I put my NFT tag in a super inconvenient place on purpose so if I’m on a social detox I have to really go out of my way to turn those apps back on! 10/10 app ### 5/5 — Help me with this please *2026-09-01* I came to know abt foqos from mrwhosetheboss video it is one of the best app in ios for digital detox that too without a pay wall thanks a lot dev The issue is even when i set a profile with hard strict block with all rigid settings on i can go into settings then into app section and turn off screen access of foqos,if i can block settings than this way out can be stopped but i dont see settings as a app to restrict Can you help me with this please UPDATE:Thanks a lot dev settings block now works was thinking of switching to android,you saviour!!! **Developer response:** Follow this guide https://www.foqos.app/blocking-native-apps.html Your welcome ;) ### 5/5 — Best app ever!!! *2026-09-01* I’ve tried absolutely everything and nothing else helped my scrolling except this app, and the best part is it’s completely free and so user friendly. The little prompts that pop up when you try to scroll are so helpful at keeping you on task, and it turns into a game to see how long you can go without turning it off. Thank you so much to the creator of this app, I owe you my life!! ### 5/5 — Fix needed *2026-08-31* Hello amazing developers. App works wonderfully. Unfortunately when I tried to use an old credit card as my nfc trigger it doesn’t detect it. I know it works because I can make a shortcut in the shortcuts app that triggers instantly. Could you add a fix to allow people to use different types of nfc triggers? Thanks! Edit: Thank you devs for the quick response! Could you add a module inside shortcuts to trigger breaks on and off? That would be perfect as then you could set up more advanced automations on how to take a break. Another feature request is app nudging. If you open an app on the distracting apps list it sends you a notification immediately or after a few minutes. That could also be paired with having to wait a set amount of second before the app lets you in. I also wanted to mention something about the break system. I really like the idea, but I think it would be great to have a few more options for how breaks work. For example, right now it seems like you can take breaks on and off whenever you want, up to a total of 15 minutes (or whatever you set). I’d love an option where you could take a 15-minute break, but then have to wait 30 minutes (or any time) before being able to take another one. Basically, just having a few different break settings to choose from would be awesome. Thanks again! **Developer response:** Apple developers aren’t allowed to read NFC tags from credit cards, it’s a limitation I can’t fix unfortunately ### 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 --- *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 2026-09-09.*