What it does
TapLock turns any NFC card (transit card, student ID, sticker) into a physical key for your iPhone. Lock the whole device with one tap. Unlock it the same way.
It uses iOS Screen Time to block every app on the device when locked. The only way back in is the card you registered, or a deliberate PIN fallback with a built-in friction gate to keep the physical card the path of least resistance.
How it works
- Register a card. TapLock writes a cryptographically random secret to your card. The raw secret lives only on the card. Your phone stores only a hash.
- Lock. Tap the lock button, choose a blocking profile and duration, and your phone is sealed. Every app shows the system block screen until you tap back in.
- Unlock. Hold your card to the top of your iPhone. If the hash matches, everything opens immediately.
Features
- NFC card unlock with cryptographic secret binding (NDEF) or UID-hash fallback for read-only cards
- Full device blocking via iOS Screen Time (requires Screen Time authorization)
- Custom blocking profiles: block all apps, or allow a specific set
- Timed locks with automatic expiry and Live Activity countdown on the lock screen
- Dynamic Island integration showing lock status and timer
- PIN fallback protected by a deliberate friction gate (misere tic-tac-toe)
- All sensitive data stored in the iOS Keychain, never in UserDefaults or iCloud
- Supports most ISO 14443-A/B, ISO 15693, and FeliCa cards
Requirements
- iPhone 7 or later (NFC hardware required)
- iOS 16 or later
- Screen Time permission for app blocking
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