GoKawiilFree apps Foqos and others replicate $59 Brick's NFC-based phone-blocking feature
The Brick device blocks distracting apps via an NFC chip that users tap to start and stop blocking sessions, but this functionality can be replicated using blank NFC tags costing about a dollar or printed QR codes. Free apps such as Foqos for iOS, built by developer Ali Waseem, let users configure app-blocking profiles tied to NFC tags, QR codes, barcodes, or daily schedules, and can prevent users from disabling the block by deleting the app.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This suggests that hardware products marketed as standalone gadgets may sometimes be repackaging cheap, widely available technology, meaning consumers could achieve similar results without paying a premium. It also highlights a broader trend of open-source alternatives closing gaps left by commercial products, potentially reducing the appeal of paid devices built around simple components.
- Brick's core function relies on an inexpensive NFC chip similar to those in credit cards.
- Free apps like Foqos replicate the same blocking mechanism using NFC tags, QR codes, or barcodes.
- Foqos can prevent users from deleting the app to bypass an active blocking session.
NFC Blank Tags (Pack of 25) — Since apps like Foqos work with any generic NFC chip, a cheap pack of blank NFC tags lets you replicate the Brick's physical-barrier trick for a fraction of the cost. Stick one to your nightstand, wall, or fridge and pair it with a free app to build your own distraction-blocking setup.
See NFC Blank Tags (Pack of 25) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: wired.com — Justin Pot, 2026-09-27
Published there as: “You Don’t Need to Pay for Distraction-Blocking Software”
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