Focus Up: NFC App Blocker
Lock apps with any NFC tag
Only for iPhone
$1.99
iPhone
Works with any generic NFC sticker or key fob, so there's no gadget to buy. Stick it somewhere out of reach and your apps stay blocked until you go tap it.
Focus Up blocks the apps that eat your day, and the only normal way to get them back is tapping an NFC tag.
And it works with any generic NFC tag. You don't need a special device from us: a plain NFC sticker or key fob does the job, and a pack of stickers costs a few dollars online. You might already have one.
Put the tag somewhere inconvenient: on the fridge, in your car, in a drawer in another room. When you want back into a blocked app, you have to get up and go tap it. Most of the time you'll decide it isn't worth the walk, and that's the point.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Pick the apps, categories and websites you want blocked. Focus Up uses Apple's Screen Time, so the block happens at the system level and closing Focus Up doesn't turn it off.
2. Pair your tag by holding your iPhone near it.
3. Tap the big lock. Blocked apps show a shield screen until you tap it again and scan your tag.
MODES
Keep a separate block list for each part of your day: Work, Study, Sleep, or one you name yourself. Switch modes with one tap before you lock.
TIMED LOCKS
Lock for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 or 2 hours, or a length you choose. The lock ends on its own, and your tag can still end it early. You can also have Focus Up lock again a few minutes after you unlock.
SCHEDULES
Set times for your apps to lock on their own, like weeknights from 9 to 11 or 9 to 5 on workdays. Each schedule can use its own mode. Schedules run even when Focus Up is closed, and your tag can still end a lock early.
STRICT MODE
Turn it on and apps can't be deleted while a lock is running, so you can't escape by deleting Focus Up. It only applies while locked, and the emergency unlock still works.
START A LOCK ANYWHERE
Lock from a Home Screen or Lock Screen widget, Control Center, the Shortcuts app, Spotlight or the Action Button.
STATS
See how long you've been locked today, your streak in days, your all-time total and a list of every finished session.
LOST YOUR TAG?
You get 3 emergency unlocks a week. Each one makes you wait 15 minutes on a countdown screen, and leaving the app starts the wait over. It's there for real emergencies and annoying enough that you won't use it just to scroll.
WORKS WITH ANY NFC TAG
Any generic NFC sticker, key fob or blank NFC card works, including the common NTAG213, NTAG215, NTAG216 and MIFARE tags. Focus Up only reads the tag's serial number and never writes to it, so a tag you already use for something else works too. Bank cards and transit cards won't work.
PRIVACY
Focus Up doesn't collect any data. There's no account to make, and your block list, schedules and stats never leave your phone. Screen Time hides your app choices even from Focus Up; it only sees an anonymous token for each app.
REQUIREMENTS
An iPhone with iOS 17 or later. Focus Up uses the iPhone's NFC reader, so it isn't available on iPad.
Focus Up 1.2 is a big update.
• Modes: keep a separate block list for Work, Study, Sleep, or your own, and switch with one tap.
• Timed locks: lock for 15 minutes up to 2 hours, or pick your own length. It ends by itself, and your tag can still end it early.
• Lock again automatically: optionally lock again 5, 10 or 30 minutes after you unlock.
• Strict Mode: stops apps from being deleted while you're locked, so you can't escape by deleting Focus Up.
• Lock from anywhere: start a lock from a Home Screen or Lock Screen widget, Control Center, Shortcuts or the Action Button.
• New look: tap the big lock to lock and unlock, with a tab bar for Modes, Schedules and Settings.
• The "Unlock with tag" notification is now Time Sensitive, so it still reaches you during Focus modes.
The developer, Dalton Lundy, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Dalton Lundy
- Size
- 6 MB
- Category
- Productivity
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 17
• iPhone Air
• iPhone 17e
• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• iPhone Duo
- iPhone
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2026 Dalton Lundy

