What is BLOCC?

The Problem BLOCC Solves

The average person spends 4.5 hours a day on their phone and picks it up 2,600 times. Most of that time is unintentional. You open Instagram "for a second" and 45 minutes disappear. You've tried screen time limits, app timers, willpower. None of it sticks. 89% of people regularly bypass their own software screen time limits because dismissing a popup takes exactly 1 second.

BLOCC takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of a popup you can dismiss, BLOCC requires you to physically walk to a real NFC tag and tap your phone against it. That 30 seconds of physical effort is enough to break the dopamine loop and let your rational brain re-engage. Research shows physical barriers achieve 65 to 80% screen time reduction, compared to just 5 to 12% for willpower alone.

How BLOCC Works

The setup takes about 2 minutes. Download the BLOCC app, choose which apps and websites you want to block (social media, games, news, whatever pulls you in), and place your NFC tag somewhere intentional. Your desk, front door, kitchen counter, wherever creates the most useful friction for your life.

When you're ready to focus, tap your iPhone against the tag. Your selected apps lock instantly. They're gone from your phone until you physically walk back to the tag and tap again. You can also set timer sessions (15 minutes to 2 hours) that end automatically, or use Physical Unlock Mode where you give the tag to a friend or family member so you literally cannot unlock without asking them.

Key Features

Physical NFC Blocking is the core of BLOCC. Tap the tag to lock, physically walk to the tag to unlock. It cannot be bypassed from your phone screen, which is the entire point.

Daily App Limits let you set per-app time budgets. Allow yourself 30 minutes of Instagram per day, and when that time is up, it locks automatically until tomorrow.

Timer Sessions let you set focus blocks of 15, 25, 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. Perfect for Pomodoro technique or deep work sessions.

Automatic Micro-Donations happen every 15 minutes during focus mode. The longer you stay focused, the more is donated to charity. Social media blocking categories have a higher donation multiplier. Your distraction becomes someone else's benefit.

Gamification keeps you motivated long-term. Every minute of focus adds a block to your virtual city. There are 50+ achievements to unlock and you progress from Rookie to BLOCC God. Streaks track your daily, weekly, and monthly consistency.

Live Activities show your active focus timer on your iPhone lock screen and Dynamic Island, so you always know how much time is left without unlocking your phone.

How BLOCC Compares to Alternatives

Who Uses BLOCC?

Students use BLOCC to block social media during study sessions. Professionals use it for deep work without notification interruptions. People with ADHD use it because physical barriers don't rely on impulse control the way software does. Parents place the tag at the dinner table so the whole family taps when dinner starts. Gym goers tap at the entrance to stop scrolling between sets.

The common thread is that every BLOCC user has tried other methods first. Screen Time settings, app timers, "digital detox" apps, or just willpower. None of it worked because all of it can be bypassed in one second from the same device. BLOCC is what they switched to when they got serious about actually changing their behavior.

Pricing

BLOCC costs €39.99 as a one-time purchase. That includes the physical NFC tag, free EU shipping (ships within 24 hours), and lifetime premium app access for up to 3 devices. There is no subscription. There will never be a subscription. You buy it once and it works forever. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BLOCC?

BLOCC is a physical NFC phone blocker for iPhone. It's a small NFC tag that you tap with your phone to instantly lock distracting apps. To unlock, you have to physically walk to the tag and tap again. It costs €39.99 once with no subscription, and includes lifetime premium access for up to 3 devices.

How does BLOCC work?

You create a blocking profile in the BLOCC app (choose which apps/websites to block), place the NFC tag somewhere in your home or office, and tap your iPhone against it to activate. Apps lock instantly. To unlock, walk to the tag and tap again. You can also set timed sessions that end automatically.

What is the best physical phone blocker?

BLOCC is the most affordable physical phone blocker at €39.99 (no subscription), compared to Brick ($99) and Unpluq (€35+/year). BLOCC includes gamification, daily per-app limits, charity micro-donations, and streak tracking that competitors don't offer.

Does BLOCC work on Android?

No. BLOCC is available for iPhone only (iOS). It requires iPhone 7 or later with NFC support. There is no Android version.

Is BLOCC a subscription?

No. BLOCC is a one-time purchase of €39.99. No monthly fees, no yearly fees, no hidden costs. That single payment includes the physical tag, free EU shipping, and lifetime premium for 3 devices.

How is BLOCC different from screen time apps?

Screen time apps show a popup you can dismiss in 1 second. 89% of users bypass their own limits. BLOCC requires physical action: you must walk to the NFC tag and tap. That physical friction activates a different part of your brain, achieving 65 to 80% screen time reduction versus 10 to 18% for software timers.

How does BLOCC compare to Brick?

BLOCC (€39.99) is 60% cheaper than Brick ($99). Both use NFC and are one-time purchases. BLOCC adds daily per-app limits, timer sessions, gamification (50+ achievements), charity donations, and streak tracking that Brick doesn't have.

What is an NFC phone blocker?

An NFC phone blocker is a physical device that uses Near Field Communication technology to lock apps on your smartphone. You tap your phone against the NFC tag to lock apps, and tap again to unlock. The physical requirement is what makes it more effective than software blockers. BLOCC, Brick, and Unpluq are the main NFC phone blockers available.