Guide
NFC, QR, or a timer: which blocking method fits your day?
Choose a blocking method around how you want a session to end. Compare NFC tags, QR codes and timers, then try a small setup before relying on it.
Start with one question: what should ending this session involve?
If you want a planned finish time, consider a timer. If you want to return to a particular object, consider NFC. If printing or displaying a code fits your space, consider QR. Pick the arrangement you can comfortably use during an ordinary day.
Compare the action you want to take
TezBlock's public App Store description advertises NFC and QR scanning to start and stop sessions, and timed sessions that end when their duration expires. That gives you three different starting points. TezBlock on the App Store
| Method | What you prepare | A situation to try | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timer | A duration chosen in the app | A defined study or work block | You decide the length before you know how the task will go. |
| NFC | A compatible physical tag and a phone that can read it | A routine built around returning to one object | The tag needs to remain available when the session requires it. |
| QR | A configured code you can print or display for scanning | A visible checkpoint on a wall or beside a workspace | You need camera access and a code the camera can see clearly. |
NFC reads a nearby tag; QR scanning uses the camera. For TezBlock sessions, follow the app's setup and scanning instructions. Apple's NFC example, TezBlock NFC and QR support
Try a timer when the finish time matters
Imagine you have a gap before your next class. You want to work on one exercise, then leave on time. A timer is a reasonable first choice because you can match the session to that gap without carrying a tag or displaying a code.
Choose a duration that leaves room for what happens afterward. Check the selected mode's stop and break options before starting; do not plan around an early exit you have not confirmed.
Try NFC when returning to an object fits your routine
Perhaps your notebook already marks the beginning of desk work. A tag beside it could make starting a session part of opening the notebook. If you want ending the session to involve moving away from your chair, try an accessible spot farther away.
Before attaching a tag permanently, confirm it works with your setup. Keep the required tag within reach while learning the flow. A shared room that might become unavailable is a poor place for something you need to end a session.
Try QR when a visible code suits your space
A printed code can make the checkpoint easy to notice. A displayed code is another option, provided that display will still be available when you need it. Think through who controls the display and whether it might be turned off or taken elsewhere.
Check camera permission and try scanning under the lighting you normally use. On iPhone, you can review an app's camera access under Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera. Apple's camera-access guidance
Check access, then try one small session
Explore NFC, QR and timer sessions in TezBlock, and choose the mode that fits your routine. TezBlock's current listing
For your first trial:
- Select one distracting app, leaving apps you need available.
- Confirm what starts and ends the chosen mode, including any tag or code requirement. Do not assume every tag or code is interchangeable.
- For a timer, choose a short duration you can let finish. For NFC or QR, keep the required item nearby and practice starting and ending the session.
- Check that the selected app is blocked during the session and available afterward, then try the setup in its intended location.
After a few sessions, ask which part felt awkward: choosing a duration, finding the tag, or scanning the code. Adjust that part first. These are routine suggestions to try; there is no need to commit to one method for every situation.
For help with setup, see TezBlock Support.