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Free NFC-Based Apps Offer a No-Cost Alternative to the Brick Distraction Blocker
By Drooid · · How we work
The Brick’s Price Tag and the DIY Possibility
The Brick is marketed as a $59 hardware device that creates a physical barrier to smartphone apps. It works by having users tap their phone against the Brick, which then activates bundled software to block selected apps such as Instagram. The article notes that the Brick’s core component is simply an NFC chip—technologically identical to the chips found in credit cards and passports. Because blank NFC tags can be purchased for about a dollar, the hardware cost can be reduced dramatically if users opt for a do-it-yourself approach.
Open-Source iOS Solution: Foqos
Ali Waseem, a Canadian developer, created Foqos, a free and open-source iOS app that replicates the Brick’s functionality without any hardware purchase. Users configure a profile that designates an NFC tag or a printed QR code as the trigger to start and stop blocking sessions. The app also supports barcode scanning, allowing everyday objects—books, beverages, or other household items—to serve as barriers. Foqos prevents users from uninstalling the app while a block is active and permits a limited number of breaks, features the author found effective for curbing a Reddit habit.
Android Alternative: Switchly
For Android users, the article highlights Switchly, developed by Saltyy, a Vienna-based programmer. Although Switchly requires more initial setup than Foqos, it offers comparable flexibility, including support for NFC tags and QR codes. The reviewer describes Switchly as “feature-complete,” noting that it is the most polished Android option tested, despite lacking the same level of polish as its iOS counterpart.
Why It Matters
By leveraging inexpensive NFC tags or printable QR codes, users can introduce the same friction that the Brick provides without incurring a purchase cost. The open-source nature of Foqos and the freely available Switchly app also give users control over their distraction-blocking tools, reducing reliance on proprietary hardware and expanding accessibility across platforms.