# nfcGuard - NFC Focus Lock > Block distracting apps. Unlock them only by tapping a physical NFC tag. Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.andebugulin.nfcguard](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.andebugulin.nfcguard) ## Overview - **ID:** `com.andebugulin.nfcguard` - **Platform:** Android - **Type:** Android app - **Status:** Available - **Publisher:** andebugulin - **Category:** PRODUCTIVITY - **Downloads:** 1,008 - **Version:** 1.1.8 - **Last updated:** 2026-09-12 - **First published:** 2026-03-25 - **Publisher country:** FI - **Size:** 3.62 MB - **Data as of:** 2026-09-16 - **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andebugulin.nfcguard) - **Website:** [https://andebugulin.github.io/nfcGuard/](https://andebugulin.github.io/nfcGuard/) - **Privacy policy:** [https://andebugulin.github.io/nfcGuard/privacy.html](https://andebugulin.github.io/nfcGuard/privacy.html) ## Description NFCGUARD — DIGITAL WELLBEING WITH PHYSICAL FRICTION

Break the cycle of mindless scrolling. nfcGuard blocks access to distracting
apps and requires you to physically tap an NFC tag to unlock them — making
you pause and think before picking up your phone.

━━━ HOW IT WORKS ━━━

1. Create a blocking mode and select apps to block (or apps to allow)
2. Optionally link a physical NFC tag as the unlock key
3. Optionally set a schedule to auto-activate at specific times
4. Tap your NFC tag — placed somewhere inconvenient — to regain access

The physical act of walking to your NFC tag is the whole point.
Place it in your kitchen, gym bag, or a friend's house. You'll think
twice before mindlessly opening Instagram or TikTok.

━━━ FEATURES ━━━

▸ BLOCK MODE — Block specific distracting apps while everything else works
▸ ALLOW MODE — Block everything except a whitelist of essential apps
▸ NFC LOCKS — Require a specific NFC tag to deactivate a mode
▸ SCHEDULES — Auto-activate modes on specific days and time ranges
▸ PERSISTENT — Survives reboots, app restarts, and battery optimization
▸ EXPORT / IMPORT — Back up your configuration in JSON or YAML
▸ EMERGENCY RESET — Lost your NFC tag? A timed safety flow removes it
▸ NO INTERNET — Works fully offline. No accounts, no tracking, no ads

━━━ ACCESSIBILITY SERVICE DISCLOSURE ━━━

nfcGuard uses the Android AccessibilityService API solely to detect which
app is currently in the foreground. This is necessary because the standard
UsageStatsManager API does not reliably report foreground app transitions
on certain devices, including Pixel and Samsung phones. The Accessibility
Service only monitors window-change events to identify the current app.
It does NOT read screen content, text fields, user input, passwords, or
any personal data. No data is collected, transmitted, or shared. This
service is used exclusively to support the core app-blocking functionality.

━━━ PRIVACY ━━━

nfcGuard collects zero data. No analytics, no servers, no network requests.
Everything stays on your device. Full privacy policy on our website.

━━━ OPEN SOURCE ━━━

nfcGuard is free and open source. Contributions are welcome on GitHub.

━━━ REQUIREMENTS ━━━

▸ Android 8.0 or higher
▸ NFC hardware (required for NFC unlock features)
▸ Usage Access, Accessibility Service, Display Over Apps, and Battery Optimization permissions ## Rankings - #1,157,541 — Overall ## Permissions and access ### Permissions - `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE` - `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE` - `android.permission.INTERNET` - `android.permission.KILL_BACKGROUND_PROCESSES` - `android.permission.NFC` - `android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS` - `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS` - `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED` - `android.permission.REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS` - `android.permission.SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM` - `android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW` - `android.permission.USE_EXACT_ALARM` - `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK` - `com.andebugulin.nfcguard.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION` - `com.android.vending.CHECK_LICENSE` ## Similar extensions and apps - [Lock - NFC App Blocker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.nathanb.lock) — 4,339 users, 5.00 / 5 - [Lockin](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.lockin.tap) — 59 users - [Novi](https://chrome-stats.com/d/uk.co.getnovi.novi) — 204 users - [OffNow](https://chrome-stats.com/d/app.offnow) — 46 users - [Bloka](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.bloka.app) — 497 users - [Blok](https://chrome-stats.com/d/co.getblok.blok) — 1,609 users - [DeTech](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.detechapp.android) — 336 users - [logi - focus app blocker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.dcodelabs.logicontrol) — 2 users - [DigitalDetox](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.al.socialmediablocker) — 29 users - [Guard – Focus & App Blocker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/simplinox.app.guard) — 123 users - [Mindful Lock: App Block & Lock](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.mindfullock.app) — 46,177 users, 4.27 / 5 - [ClearVision](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.theaulep.clearvision) — 7 users --- Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.andebugulin.nfcguard)