Where to put your NFC tag to block apps
With Noff, the everyday way to unlock blocked apps during a session is to tap your NFC tag. So where you put that tag decides how strong your block is. On your keychain it's one second away. In the kitchen it's a walk, and that walk is the moment you get to ask yourself whether you really need Instagram right now. This guide covers where to put the tag for each goal, what to avoid, and how to stay safe if the tag is out of reach. New to Noff? Start with how to block apps on iPhone with an NFC tag.
The rule: the farther the tag, the stronger the block
- Out of reach from where you scroll. If you can tap the tag from the bed, the sofa or your desk chair, it isn't adding friction.
- Somewhere you have to get up and walk to. Another room is ideal. A few seconds of walking is often enough to break the automatic reach for your phone.
- But reachable when you really need it. Put it somewhere you can get to on purpose. The aim is a pause, not a wall.
Placement ideas by goal
| Goal | Where to put the tag | Friction |
|---|---|---|
| Better sleep | Outside the bedroom: hallway, kitchen or living room | High |
| No scrolling first thing | Kitchen, by the coffee maker | High |
| Deep work | Inside a desk drawer, or in another room | Medium to high |
| Calmer evenings | By the front door | Medium |
| Weekend detox | Car glovebox | Very high |
| Maximum commitment | With a friend or partner | Maximum |
| Unlock anywhere | Keychain or wallet | Low |
For sleep: outside the bedroom
Start a session before bed and leave the tag outside the bedroom. If you want to check your phone at 1 a.m., you have to get out of bed, turn on the light and walk to it. Most nights you won't. If you also charge your phone outside the bedroom, even better.
For mornings: in the kitchen
Stick the tag next to the coffee maker or inside a cupboard door. Your first unlock of the day happens after you're up and moving, not while you're still lying in bed.
For focus: inside a desk drawer
A drawer you have to open is more friction than a sticker on the desk itself. For harder focus blocks, keep the tag in another room and only go to it on your break.
For evenings: by the front door
A tag by the door turns coming home into the moment you decide to switch off. Start a session when you arrive, and unlocking means going back to the door.
For a weekend detox: the car glovebox
Unlocking means going out to the car. Only use this if the car is close to home, and combine it with a timed session (30 min, 1 h or 2 h) that ends on its own.
For maximum commitment: with a friend or partner
Give the tag to someone you live with, or leave it at a friend's place. You can only unlock with their help. Use timed sessions here too, so you aren't relying on someone else to end an Infinite session.
Keychain or wallet: the weak option
A keychain or card tag is always with you, so unlocking only takes a second. It still beats Screen Time's "Ignore limit" button because it's a deliberate action, but if your goal is to use your phone less, a fixed spot works better.
How to stick the tag so it keeps working
- Pair it first, then stick it. Pair the tag in Noff, then put it in its spot.
- Hide it if you like. NFC reads through thin wood, plastic, paper or fabric, so the tag can go under a shelf, inside a cupboard door or behind a thin wood plate.
- Avoid metal. Standard NFC stickers often don't read when stuck directly on metal, such as a fridge door, a metal desk or a radiator. Choose wood, plastic or a wall instead.
- Not on your phone or its case. A tag your phone carries with it adds no friction.
- Leave space to tap. You need to hold the top of your iPhone near the tag, so don't hide it behind something you can't get your phone close to.
- Test it in place. Start a 30 min session and unlock it from the tag's new spot to check it reads.
- Want something nicer than a sticker? Make a holder or token with the 3D generator.
For which NFC format suits each spot (stickers, cards, keychains), see recommended NFC tags.
What if the tag is far away or lost?
The farther the tag, the more these fallbacks matter, so know them before you start: - Emergency: you get 3 emergency unlocks per month for urgent situations. - Recovery: if a Focus session is active and you've lost the tag, Recovery starts a 24-hour delayed unlock that can't be skipped. - New tag: with no Focus session active, you can pair a new NFC tag from Settings. Most NFC stickers come in packs, so keep a spare at home.
FAQ
Where is the best place to put an NFC tag?
Somewhere you have to get up and walk to, ideally in another room. For sleep, outside the bedroom. For work, inside a drawer or in another room.
Can I stick an NFC tag on the fridge?
Not directly on the metal door: metal usually stops standard stickers from reading. Put it on a nearby cupboard door or the wall next to it.
Does NFC work through wood or plastic?
Yes, through thin materials. Test it in place before relying on it.
Can I move the tag later?
Yes. Most stickers can't be peeled off and reused well, so if you change spots, pair a new tag from Settings when no Focus session is active.
Is Noff free?
It's free to download. Full blocking features unlock with a one-time €9.99 purchase. There's no subscription.