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The problem with distraction-blocking apps is how easy they are to turn off. But what if you needed to access a physical object to unblock distractions? That way, you could leave the object at home, or give it to someone who can keep you accountable. That’s the basic idea behind Foqos, an iPhone app by developer Ali Waseem, that’s open source, completely free, and works really well.
At first, Foqos may seem similar to other focus apps for blocking distractions. You can select a set of applications and websites you’d like to block, then turn on the blocker. The difference comes when it’s time to turn that distraction blocking off. To do so, you have to scan a “key,” either an NFC chip or a QR code.
Credit: Justin Pot
If you’re looking for the simplest option, go with the QR code: You can print out the code on a piece of paper and place it somewhere in your house. I, personally, set up a QR code and taped it to the back of a desk drawer. The NFC chip, on the other hand, is a little more nerdy. You’ll need to buy a blank one and set it up yourself. Such chips are extremely affordable and have all kinds of other users, from automating routines to sharing your wifi passwords.
The setup process is straight forward. First, you need to give the application permission to access your Screen Time settings—this is used to enable the blocking. Next you can create profiles. I made one for blocking social media applications as a category, then added the web versions of Reddit so I didn’t have a workaround. After doing this, you can choose which key you want to use. You can use your key of choice—the NFC chip or the QR code—to both trigger blocking and end it. Alternatively, you can start the blocking manually and require the key to stop it.
What do you think so far?
However you set this up, there are all kinds of ways you can use it. You could leave the key at home before a night out, making it easier to focus on the people around you. Or, during the workday, you could give the key to a friend and instruct them not to give it back until you’re done with the current project. I’ve been trying this for a couple days, leaving my phone without the ability to access Reddit or Bluesky. My hope was that I’d spend time reading instead of scrolling, and it seems to be working. Even if the key is only across the room, there’s enough friction to keep me from scrolling.
The app, as mentioned, is completely free, though the developer asks that you chip in a few bucks if you find it helpful.