What is Foqos used for?

Foqos is a free, open-source iPhone app blocker that uses Screen Time to block apps and websites until you tap an NFC tag or scan a QR code. It is a good fit for cutting phone distractions while studying and physical-tap focus routines without special hardware.

Is Foqos open source?

Yes. Foqos is open source under the MIT licence. Its source code is on GitHub at awaseem/foqos and is written mainly in Swift.

Yes. Foqos is open source, so the software itself is free to use.

Can I self-host Foqos?

Yes. Foqos can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure; there is no official hosted version.

What is Foqos an alternative to?

Foqos is an open-source alternative to Freedom and Forest.

Is Foqos actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Foqos was on 27 September 2026, and the latest release is v2.3.2, published on 27 September 2026. The project has 849 stars on GitHub.

Foqos: open-source alternative to Freedom, Forest

About Foqos

Foqos is a privacy-first iOS app that adds friction between you and distracting apps or websites. Built on Apple's Screen Time APIs, it lets you create blocking profiles for work, study, bedtime or any routine and choose which apps and domains each profile blocks.

A focus session can be started or stopped manually, by tapping an inexpensive NFC tag, scanning a QR code or barcode, using a timer or applying temporary access rules, and iOS Shortcuts are supported too. Profiles can have schedules and app groups, and generated QR codes can be printed for use around the home or office. The app has no account requirement, no tracking, no ads and no subscription.

The README presents Foqos as a free alternative to paid blockers such as Brick, Unpluq, Blok and Opal, and states it is not affiliated with any of them. It is written in Swift with SwiftUI, available from the App Store and licensed under MIT.

Key features

App and website blocking via Screen Time
Custom profiles for routines and schedules
NFC tag start and stop flows
QR code and barcode unlocking
Timer-based focus sessions
iOS Shortcuts support

Good fit for

→Cutting phone distractions while studying
→Physical-tap focus routines without special hardware

Built with: Swift
Tags: ios; app-blocker; focus; nfc; screen-time; productivity; privacy; swiftui

Foqos: questions and answers

What is Foqos used for?: Foqos is a free, open-source iPhone app blocker that uses Screen Time to block apps and websites until you tap an NFC tag or scan a QR code. It is a good fit for cutting phone distractions while studying and physical-tap focus routines without special hardware.
Is Foqos open source?: Yes. Foqos is open source under the MIT licence. Its source code is on GitHub at awaseem/foqos and is written mainly in Swift.
Is Foqos free?: Yes. Foqos is open source, so the software itself is free to use.
Can I self-host Foqos?: Yes. Foqos can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure; there is no official hosted version.
What is Foqos an alternative to?: Foqos is an open-source alternative to Freedom and Forest.
Is Foqos actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Foqos was on 27 September 2026, and the latest release is v2.3.2, published on 27 September 2026. The project has 849 stars on GitHub.