Profile-based setup
Create profiles like Work, Study, Sleep, or Deep Focus. Every profile stores its own apps, websites, in-app blocks, limits, and rules.
Switchly is an open source Android app blocker that helps you stay focused.
Create focus profiles, block distracting apps, websites, and selected in-app surfaces, then add real friction with schedules, NFC, QR, or barcodes. Looking for a Brick or Zenbox alternative on Android? Switchly gives you more control.
iOS user? Try Foqos
Not affiliated — just a friendly recommendation.
Infos
About the app
Switchly is an open source Android app blocker and website blocker built for flexible but serious focus control: profiles, layered blocking, in-app blocking, limits, statistics, automation, and strict anti-bypass options when you want them.
App + website blocking
Block distracting apps and websites per profile. Switchly enforces those rules while protection is active.
In-app blocking
Block specific distraction zones inside apps, such as Shorts, Reels, or Explore, instead of blocking the whole app if you do not want to.
Limits + statistics
Set daily limits by time and opens, then review usage stats and blocked attempts to see what is actually happening.
Control modes
Choose which control path is trusted: Schedule mode, NFC mode, QR mode, Barcode mode, or Mixed mode if you want several methods at once.
Anti-bypass options
Use temporary disable, temporary enable, emergency unlock, required NFC/QR unlock, and locked settings for more deliberate friction.
NFC, QR, Quick Tile
Control Switchly with NFC tags, paired tags, QR actions, barcode actions, and the Android Quick Settings tile. UID-only paired tags add an extra security layer.
Schedules + automation
Trigger actions by time, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. That makes Switchly adapt automatically to work, study, commuting, or sleep contexts.
Notifications, backup, privacy
Blocked notifications stay on-device, backups are optional when signed in, and Switchly is designed around local processing.
No overlay needed
Newer versions do not require overlay permission. Core blocking is handled through official Android permissions like Accessibility and Usage Access.
Good to know: Switchly is event-based and usually light on battery in normal use, even though Wi-Fi or Bluetooth schedules can require foreground-service behavior on some devices.
Flow
How it works
Setup once, then let Switchly handle the repetitive discipline part for you.
Run guided setup
Open the tutorial and grant required permissions for app detection, usage, and focus enforcement.
Create your first profile
Pick a purpose like Work, Study or Sleep and save a dedicated rule set for that mode.
Select blocks and limits
Choose apps, websites and in-app surfaces to block, then add optional daily limits (time and/or opens).
Add anti-bypass friction
Require NFC or QR for deactivation if needed, so disabling focus mode becomes a deliberate action.
Automate with schedules
Trigger profiles by clock time, Wi-Fi SSID, or Bluetooth device to reduce daily manual switching.
Review and fine-tune
Check usage stats and blocked attempts weekly, then tighten or relax rules per profile.
Pro tip: keep one stricter profile for high-focus sessions and one lighter profile for normal days.
Compare
Compare top Android app blocker alternatives
Each page focuses on one alternative, the workflow differences, and the Switchly features people usually care about most: open source code, app and website blocking, in-app blocking, limits, statistics, schedules, QR, barcode, NFC, and paired tags.
Brick alternative
Compare Switchly with Brick if you want Android blocking with open source code, APK downloads, optional NFC/QR/barcode friction, and more than one hardware ritual.
Zenbox alternative
Compare Switchly with Zenbox if you want Android app blocking without relying on one dedicated box, while still keeping optional NFC and paired-tag friction available when you want it.
Bloom alternative
Compare Switchly with Bloom if you want Android flexibility, source visibility, paired tags, in-app blocking, usage stats, and direct installs without relying on one keycard flow.
Unpluq alternative
Compare Switchly with Unpluq if you want free-core Android blocking with time limits, attempt limits, statistics, QR or barcode flows, and a public repo you can inspect.
Blok alternative
Compare Switchly with Blok if you want broader Android control paths like profiles, schedules, paired tags, QR, barcode, website rules, and APK downloads on top of optional NFC-style friction.
App blocker alternatives hub
Browse all focused comparison pages from one place, use a quick difference table, and move between Brick, Zenbox, Bloom, Unpluq, and Blok alternatives without bouncing back to search.
You can also inspect the public GitLab repo directly if you want to verify the current public source code or contribute improvements.
Support
FAQ
Common questions about setup, permissions, protection modes, NFC/QR, schedules and privacy.
How do I get started?
Create a profile, choose what you want to block or limit, then enable Switchly. Optional: require NFC or QR to disable it, so you cannot turn it off too easily in weak moments.
How does Switchly work in a nutshell?
Switchly helps you stay focused by blocking apps, websites, and specific in-app areas like Shorts, Reels, or Explore. You choose the rules per profile, then Switchly enforces them while it is enabled.
What features does Switchly have?
Core features include app blocking, website blocking, in-app blocking, blocked notifications inbox, profiles, schedules, limits, usage stats, and backup/restore when signed in.
How does in-app blocking work?
In-app blocking uses Accessibility to detect specific screens like YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels/Explore and redirect you out of them. If a popup does not always appear, it can be due to navigation timing or app UI changes, but Switchly still attempts to exit the blocked area safely.
What are profiles for?
Profiles contain app selections and blocking rules, for example Work, Study, or Sleep. You can create, rename, duplicate, or delete profiles, and the active profile is always shown at the top.
Temporary disable vs emergency unlock — what is the difference?
Temporary disable pauses blocking for a short time and then enables it again automatically. Emergency unlock disables all restrictions for a fixed time and can only be used once per calendar day. Both timers are shown on the main screen.
What does “Require NFC tag to disable” do?
When enabled, Switchly can only be disabled by scanning a valid NFC tag. Manual toggle, Quick Settings tile, and certain controls are locked or show warnings. It acts like a physical key for turning off your restriction profile.
How do NFC tags and UID-only pairing work?
Switchly can write NFC tags for actions like enable, disable, toggle, temporary disable, or profile-based actions. With UID-only pairing, Switchly stores only the hardware UID and can be configured to accept only paired tags, which is useful even for read-only tags.
Can I use NFC and QR together?
Yes. You can enable both and use NFC as the main method with QR as backup, for example. Keeping the QR code less convenient can add more friction against impulsive disabling.
How do schedules work?
Schedules let Switchly react automatically when a condition matches. Conditions can be time, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, and actions can enable, disable, toggle, or control both the start and end of an active period.
Why do Wi-Fi schedules need Location permission?
Android treats the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) as location-like information. Without Location permission, Wi-Fi schedules cannot reliably read the current network and may not trigger correctly.
How do app limits work?
Switchly supports daily limits by time and by attempts. Once a limit is reached, the app can block immediately, and usage stats help you review trends and blocked attempts later.
Can Switchly block Instagram Reels, Shorts, or similar in-app distractions?
Yes, on supported apps. Switchly can block selected in-app distraction surfaces instead of only blocking the whole app, which is useful if you want to cut things like reels- or shorts-style feeds without removing the rest of the app entirely.
Does Switchly support QR codes, barcodes, and paired tags?
Yes. Switchly supports QR-based actions, barcode-based actions, NFC tag writing, and paired-tag handling. That lets you mix software rules with more physical or scan-based friction depending on how strict you want your setup to be.
Is Switchly a good Brick alternative?
Yes — if you want an Android app blocker with profiles, website blocking, app limits, schedules, and stricter anti-bypass options like NFC or QR. For a deeper overview, open the Brick alternative page.
Is Switchly open source?
Yes. Switchly is open source, the newest public release source is published on GitLab, and contributions are welcome. That makes Switchly a real option if you are specifically looking for an open-source Brick alternative on Android.
Is Switchly a free app blocker for Android?
Core blocking features stay free. Premium adds optional extras like more schedules, more customization, and enhanced insights, but you can use Switchly as a free Android app blocker without paying.
Which permissions does Switchly use?
Switchly mainly uses Accessibility and Usage Access to detect the foreground app and enforce your rules. Overlay permission is no longer required in newer versions.
What data does Switchly collect?
Processing happens locally on your device. No personal usage data is sold or shared, and backups or account features are optional.
What exactly is included in Premium?
Premium adds optional extras like more accent colors, a custom color picker, custom temporary durations, additional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth schedules, and enhanced insights. Core blocking stays free.
Can I back up my setup or move to a new phone?
Yes. Sign in, create a backup, and later restore it on the same account on a new device or after a reset.
Download + support
Get Switchly the way you want
Use Google Play for the easiest install, download APKs and older versions, or explore other Switchly apps.
Android
Get Switchly on Google Play
Install Switchly, pick a profile, and start blocking distractions your way.
Play Store listing: at.saltyy.switchly