Best NFC Phone Blockers 2026: Brick vs Bloom vs Unpluq vs Blok vs Foqos

The Rise of Physical Phone Blockers

Software-only app blockers have a fatal flaw: they're too easy to bypass. You set a Screen Time limit, hit it, and tap 'Ignore for Today.' The barrier exists, but it's made of tissue paper.

A new generation of blockers adds physical friction. Instead of just software, these tools use NFC tags, cards, or devices that you must physically tap to block or unblock apps. Leave the tag in another room, and checking Instagram requires getting up, walking over, and making a conscious decision.

But which NFC blocker actually works? We compared the five major players: Brick, Bloom, Unpluq, Blok, and Foqos. Here's what we found.

Quick Comparison: All NFC Blockers at a Glance

Before diving deep, here's the essential breakdown of each app:

• •**Brick** — $59 one-time for NFC device. iOS & Android. 5 Emergency Unbricks/month. Most popular hardware solution.
• •**Bloom** — $39 one-time for NFC card. iOS & Android. 3 Emergency Exits. Includes Child Mode for parents.
• •**Unpluq** — $26.50 tag + $64/year subscription. iOS & Android. Multiple unlock methods (shake, pattern, walk). Works offline.
• •**Blok** — $4.99/month subscription. NFC device included. 3 free Emergency Unbloks, then paid ($4.99 each).
• •**Foqos** — 100% free & open source. iOS only. NFC + QR code support. No emergency bypasses. 4.9 stars.

Brick: The Original Hardware Blocker

Brick pioneered the NFC blocker category. The concept is simple: tap your phone against the physical Brick to activate blocking. Your selected apps become inaccessible until you tap again. Leave the Brick in another room, and suddenly checking TikTok requires a deliberate walk.

The hardware is well-designed—a small, rubberized device that's satisfying to use. You can create multiple 'modes' (Work, Family Time, Sleep) each with different blocked apps. Scheduling features let you auto-activate modes at set times.

At $59 with no subscription, Brick has an appealing cost structure for long-term use. But users report Android scheduling can be inconsistent, and the 5 Emergency Unbricks per month create a potential escape hatch for the determined procrastinator.

Bloom: The Sleek Card Solution

Bloom takes the NFC concept and shrinks it to a keycard you can clip to your keys or wallet. Tap to block, tap to unblock. The card form factor makes it easier to carry everywhere compared to Brick's larger device.

A standout feature is Child Mode—parents can control their kids' app access with a single tap of the card. This makes Bloom popular with families managing screen time across multiple devices.

At $39 one-time (no subscription), Bloom is cheaper upfront than Brick. However, it offers only 3 Emergency Exits compared to Brick's 5 Emergency Unbricks. Android users report occasional blocking inconsistencies, a common issue across NFC blockers.

Unpluq: The Flexible Subscription Model

Unpluq differentiates itself with flexibility. The small NFC tag costs $26.50, but requires a $64/year Premium subscription for full functionality. The tag attaches to a keychain via carabiner.

What sets Unpluq apart is the variety of unlock methods. Beyond NFC tapping, you can unlock by shaking your phone, scrolling patterns, tapping sequences, or walking around. This flexibility is either a feature or a bug—more options means more ways to bypass when willpower is low.

Unpluq claims users recover 78 minutes daily with the tag versus 54 minutes with app-only blocking. The subscription model means ongoing costs, but you're paying for continued development and features. Works fully offline once schedules are saved.

Blok: Subscription-Based Hardware

Blok combines a subscription model with included hardware. At $4.99/month, you get the NFC device and app access. The device functions similarly to Brick—tap to block, tap to unblock.

The catch is the Emergency Unblok system. You get 3 free Emergency Unbloks when you first download. After that, each emergency unlock costs $4.99 (or 3 for $12.99). Blok donates proceeds to charity, but the paid bypass system creates ongoing costs for those who struggle with willpower.

For users who want to try hardware blocking without a large upfront investment, Blok's monthly model lowers the barrier to entry. But heavy Emergency Unblok users could end up paying significantly more over time.

Foqos: The Free Open-Source Alternative

Foqos disrupts the paid blocker market by being 100% free and open source. Built by a Calgary developer, it uses both NFC tags (under $1 each) and free-to-print QR codes for physical blocking.

With a 4.9-star rating and over 1,000 reviews, Foqos has proven that free doesn't mean low quality. It includes timer-based sessions with physical unlock, habit tracking, smart breaks, and iOS Live Activities—features that paid competitors charge for.

The tradeoff: Foqos is iOS only (requires iOS 17.6+). Android users are out of luck. And while the app is polished, it lacks some advanced features like the scheduling depth of Brick or the parental controls of Bloom. For iPhone users on a budget, it's hard to beat free.

The Core Problem: Physical Friction ≠ Productivity

All five NFC blockers share the same fundamental approach: add physical friction between you and your distracting apps. This works for breaking automatic phone-checking habits. But it doesn't solve a deeper problem.

Physical friction doesn't guarantee productivity. You can leave your Brick in another room, resist the urge to check Instagram, sit at your desk for four hours, and accomplish nothing. The apps are blocked, but the work isn't done.

Time blocked is not the same as time productive. You can tap your Bloom card, enter 'focus mode,' stare at the ceiling, then tap again when you're ready to scroll. The system measured your blocked time, not your output.

This is where goal-based blocking differs from physical blocking. Instead of asking 'Can you reach the NFC tag?', goal-based systems ask 'Did you complete the task?' For a deep dive into this distinction, see our guide on commitment devices.

Goal-Based Alternative: Accountable AI

Accountable AI takes a different approach entirely. Instead of physical friction, it uses psychological friction tied to actual accomplishment.

The mechanism: Set a goal with a deadline. Choose which apps to block if you miss it. When the deadline hits, your apps stay locked—not until you tap something, but until you complete the goal and submit photo proof that an AI verifies.

There's no hardware to buy, lose, or forget. No Emergency Unbricks to exhaust. No walking to another room. The only way to unlock your apps is to do the work and prove it. This creates accountability for results, not just for resisting temptation.

For users who've tried NFC blockers and still feel unproductive, goal-based blocking addresses the gap between 'apps blocked' and 'work done.' Learn more about how commitment devices work.

Which Blocker Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your specific situation:

• •**Choose Brick if** you want the most polished hardware experience and don't mind a $59 upfront cost. Best for users who respond well to physical rituals.
• •**Choose Bloom if** you want a portable card form factor or need parental controls for kids' devices. Good value at $39.
• •**Choose Unpluq if** you want flexibility in unlock methods and don't mind an annual subscription. Best for users who travel or need offline support.
• •**Choose Blok if** you want to try hardware blocking with low upfront cost. Watch out for Emergency Unblok costs adding up.
• •**Choose Foqos if** you're on iOS and want a free, proven solution. Best budget option by far.
• •**Choose Accountable AI if** you want blocking tied to task completion, not physical location. Best for users who need accountability for results, not just app access.

The Bottom Line

NFC blockers represent a genuine innovation in fighting phone addiction. Adding physical friction beats pure willpower every time. But they're a tool for managing temptation, not ensuring productivity.

If your problem is mindless phone checking, any NFC blocker will help. Foqos offers the best value (free), while Brick offers the best hardware experience ($59). Bloom and Unpluq fall in between with their own tradeoffs.

If your problem is procrastination—knowing what you should do but not doing it—consider whether physical friction addresses the root cause. Goal-based blocking with proof verification creates a different kind of accountability: you get your apps back when the work is done, not when you walk to another room.

Try the free options first (Foqos, or Accountable AI's free trial) before committing to hardware. Your brain's response to physical vs psychological friction is personal—test both approaches.