LatchA Foqos alternative for Android, iPad and the days the tag is at home
Foqos and Latch share an idea: tap an NFC tag or scan a QR code to get your apps back. Foqos is free and open source, and on iPhone it's a strong choice. Latch is for people who also want Android or iPad, a steps key, or locks that start on their own when they arrive somewhere or start driving.
We make Latch, so read this with that in mind. Foqos details come from its App Store listing and its GitHub README, checked October 2026, and link to their sources.
Our verdict
On iPhone alone, Foqos is hard to beat on price. Latch covers more ground
Foqos costs nothing and you can read its code. If you only have an iPhone and want an NFC blocker, it's worth trying first. Latch makes sense if you're on Android or iPad, want to unlock with a walk when your key isn't nearby, or want locking by place, while driving and from Siri or Google Assistant. Latch is free to start, and Pro is $9.99 once.
Latch vs Foqos at a glance
| Feature | Latch | Foqos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Latch Pro is $9.99 once | Free, with optional tips of $1.99 to $9.99 (App Store) |
| Source code | Closed | Open source, MIT License (GitHub) |
| Keys | NTAG213, NTAG215 or NTAG216 NFC sticker, printed QR code, or 500 to 20,000 steps | NFC tag, QR code or barcode, or a timer |
| Strictest setting | Commitment mode: locked for 30 minutes to 8 hours, and not even your key opens it early | Physical unlock rules: only approved tags or codes can stop a profile |
| Short breaks | Break glass: 3 a month, 5 to 15 minutes, locks again on its own | An optional break allowance, split across a session |
| Locks on its own | Schedules, arriving at a place, while driving, Siri or Google Assistant | Schedules and timers |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad (QR key) and Android | iPhone (iOS 17.6 or later), plus a Mac version on GitHub; no Android |
| Available | Now on iPhone, iPad and Android | Now; 4.9 stars from 5.4K ratings on the App Store |
Foqos details from its US App Store listing and README. Foqos is a trademark of its owner; Latch isn't affiliated with it.
What Foqos does well
Foqos is free, and its developer says it will stay that way, with tips as the only purchases. The code is public under the MIT License, so anyone can check what it does. It supports NFC tags, QR codes and barcodes, timer sessions, schedules, and a break allowance you can split across a session. A profile can be set so that only an approved tag or code ends it. Its App Store rating is 4.9 from about 5,400 ratings, and there's a Mac version distributed through GitHub.
Where Latch is different
Android and iPad
Foqos's README says it is iOS-only. Latch runs on Android 9 and later, and on iPad with a printed QR key. One key works with every phone you own, so a sticker on the fridge can unlock your iPhone and an Android phone alike.
A steps key
With Latch Pro, a key can be a walk of 500 to 20,000 steps. Only steps taken after you tap Walk to unlock count, they keep counting with the screen off, and the apps open at the goal. It helps when your sticker is at home and you're out.
It locks when your day changes
Latch can lock when you arrive at a place like the office and unlock when you leave, lock while you're driving, and lock from a sentence: "Siri, Latch my phone" or "Hey Google, Latch my phone".
Daily limits and Hard lock
Latch Pro gives an app or category a few minutes a day; when that's used up, only that app is blocked, and a key scan buys one more round. Hard lock can stop deleting apps, installing apps and in-app purchases while you're locked.
What you'd give up
Latch Pro costs $9.99, where Foqos is free throughout. Latch's code isn't open source. And if you only use an iPhone, Foqos already does the core job of an NFC blocker well.
Which should you choose?
Choose Foqos if
- you only use an iPhone
- you want it free and open source
- you want a Mac version too
Choose Latch if
- you're on Android or iPad
- you want a steps key for days away from your sticker
- you want locking by place, while driving or by voice
- you want daily limits and Hard lock
Common questions
Is Foqos free?
Yes. Foqos is free on the App Store with optional tips, and its code is open source under the MIT License. Latch is free with one key, three profiles and two places, and Latch Pro is $9.99 once.
Is Foqos on Android?
No. Foqos's README says "Foqos is iOS-only". Latch runs on Android 9 and later, as well as iPhone and iPad.
Which NFC tags work with Latch?
Any NTAG213, NTAG215 or NTAG216 sticker. MIFARE Classic stickers don't work with iPhone or with Latch on Android. Latch writes the key and locks the sticker with a password.
Does Latch work on iPad?
Yes, with a printed QR key, since iPads have no NFC. The Foqos App Store listing is for iPhone.
An NFC blocker for every phone you own
Latch is out now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and on Google Play (Android 9 and later).
Last updated by Sudarshan Neupane, founder of Lukla Logic. See also: all app blockers compared.