Consumers who want to cut down on phone distractions can now get the same physical-barrier approach as the Brick device without buying hardware. The Brick, a $59 gadget, works by tapping a phone against it to trigger bundled software that blocks selected apps. Because the device is essentially an NFC chip, similar to the kind found in credit cards and passports, users can buy blank NFC chips for a dollar or use printed QR codes instead. Free applications can use those chips in the same way the Brick does.
For iPhone users, the free open source app Foqos offers one option. Created by Canadian developer Ali Waseem, it lets users set up a profile and choose a physical object to start and stop blocking sessions, including NFC tags or a QR code. Foqos also supports blocking on a daily schedule or by scanning any barcode, so no purchase or printing is required. While a profile is running, the app prevents users from managing apps, stopping them from deleting Foqos to bypass a block, and it can allow a limited number of breaks.
Foqos is iOS-exclusive, and no Android equivalent matched its polish in testing. Switchly, from Vienna-based developer Saltyy, stands out among Android apps for its feature set, though setup requires careful attention. The app, available from Google Play, guides users through permissions and profile creation with a wizard. It can block apps and URLs, trigger locking and unlocking with an NFC chip or QR code, and block on a schedule, while Premium users can trigger blocks based on a particular Wi-Fi network or a nearby Bluetooth device.
Switchly also supports blocking specific features inside certain apps, such as Instagram Reels, a feature labeled experimental that worked well in testing. The developer acknowledges that Android's open nature means how well the app works can depend on the phone model. The free tier offers plenty of features for most users, so the Premium version is not required.
Android users have another option in Lock, which is more polished than Switchly but supports only NFC chips. It is worth trying if Switchly does not work as desired. The broader point is that phone distractions remain a persistent problem, and free tools now provide ways to add friction without spending money.
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