Support

NFC Tags

Family Foqos uses NFC (Near Field Communication) tags as physical triggers for focus sessions. Here's everything you need to know about choosing and using NFC tags.

Compatible NFC Tags

Family Foqos works with any NFC tag that your iPhone can read. The most common and recommended types are:

1
NTAG213 - 144 bytes storage. Perfect for simple triggers. Most affordable option.
2
NTAG215 - 504 bytes storage. Good balance of capacity and price.
3
NTAG216 - 888 bytes storage. More than you'll need, but works great.

All NTAG21x series tags are ISO 14443A compliant and work with iPhone 7 and later.

Where to Buy

NFC tags are inexpensive and widely available and come as stickers, cards, keychains, or wristbands. Choose based on where you'll place them. If placing on metal surfaces like a fridge, look for "on-metal" versions. You can find them on:

Amazon (search "NTAG215 NFC tags")
AliExpress (for bulk orders)
Specialty NFC retailers like ZipNFC, GoToTags, NFC Tagify, or Seritag

Expect to pay around £0.25 - £0.80 ($0.30–$1.00) per tag depending on quantity and form factor. Cheaper tags may not be "genuine" NXP chipsets, but will probably still work.

Tips for Families

Color code tags - Use different colored stickers for different profiles (blue for homework, green for bedtime).
Strategic placement - Put tags where focus happens: study desks, dining table, bedroom doorframes.
Make it a ritual - The physical act of tapping creates a psychological trigger that builds habits.
Keep spares - Tags are cheap. Buy extra in case one gets lost or damaged.

iPhone Compatibility

NFC tag reading requires iPhone 7 or later. On iPhone XS/XR and later, background NFC reading is supported - just tap without opening the app first.

Note: iPads do not have NFC readers. Use QR codes for iPad focus triggers instead.

QR Codes

QR codes work on both iPhones and iPads. Family Foqos can generate QR codes for any profile - print them and place them around your home as visual focus triggers.

QR Code Ideas

Print and frame a "Homework Mode" QR code for the study area
Laminate a "Dinner Time" code for the kitchen
Create a poster with multiple profile codes for kids to choose from
Add to a family command center or chore chart

Safety & Account Requirements

Family Foqos is designed with safety as a priority. Profile locking only works on devices configured as child accounts within Apple Family Sharing.

Built-in Safety Feature

Profile locking only works on devices signed in as a "child" in Apple Family Sharing. This prevents the app from being misused to control an adult's device without their consent.

Setting Up Apple Family Sharing

To use profile locking, ensure your child's device is set up with a child Apple ID under your Family Sharing group:

Open Settings on the parent's iPhone or iPad
Tap your name at the top, then Family Sharing
Add your child's Apple ID or create one for them
On the child's device, sign in with that child Apple ID

Learn more about Apple Family Sharing.

Operating Modes

Family Foqos automatically detects which mode to use based on your device's Apple Family Sharing configuration. No manual setup required.

Individual Mode

For devices not part of Apple Family Sharing

The full Foqos experience for personal use. Create and manage your own profiles, set timers, and build focus habits. No lock codes or parental restrictions - you're in complete control of your own focus.

Parent Mode

For adults/organizers in Family Sharing

Full control over family settings. On your child's device, you can toggle any profile or location to "locked" status - this on-device approach encourages conversations with your teen about their screen time and helps ensure they're safe. Locked items require the family code to modify.

Child Mode

For child accounts in Family Sharing

The full app experience with optional parental boundaries. You can create your own profiles and manage your focus sessions. Some profiles or locations may be locked by a parent - these require the family code to edit or disable. The lock code syncs automatically via iCloud.

Permissions by Mode

Permission	Individual	Parent	Child
Set lock code	—	Yes	—
Create unlocked profiles	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lock profiles (on child's device)	—	Yes	—
Edit locked profiles	—	Yes	Requires code
Blocked by locked profiles	—	No	Yes

Device Sync

Keep your focus profiles in sync across your iPhone and iPad. When blocking is active on one device, it's active everywhere.

Block Everywhere

Device sync ensures there's no escape hatch - you can't just switch to another device to cheat. Enable sync in Settings → Device Sync and your profiles, schedules, and blocking status will stay in sync automatically via iCloud.