A tag is the trigger that starts and ends a focus session. FocusFlow supports two tag types — NFC tags (physical chips you tap) and QR codes (printed images you scan) — and both work identically in the app. The same tag record can have both: an NFC chip and a matching QR code that encode the same Tag UID.
Only Admins and Tag Admins can add, edit, or delete tags.

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Anatomy of a tag

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Creating an NFC Tag

NFC tags are physical chips embedded in stickers, cards, or keyrings. When a user taps their phone to an NFC tag, FocusFlow reads the Tag UID and starts or ends a focus session.

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Register an NFC tag in the web app

Use this method when you have the Tag UID (read from the chip with a separate NFC reader or noted from the tag packaging).
1

Open Tags

From the dashboard, go to Tags and choose Add tag.
2

Enter the Tag UID

Type or paste the tag’s UID — usually shown as hex pairs separated by colons (e.g. 04:A1:B2:C3:D4:E5:F6). This must exactly match what the chip broadcasts.
3

Fill in the details

Add a friendly Identifier (e.g. CLASSROOM-101), a Location, and an optional description.
4

Save

Select Create. The tag is registered and ready to scan.
Add tag form in the web app
Duplicate UID? Each Tag UID can only exist once per organisation. If you try to add a UID that already exists, FocusFlow will tell you which tag already uses it.

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Write and register an NFC tag from the mobile app

This method writes the UID directly to a blank NFC chip, then registers it — no separate reader needed.
1

Tap the + button

On the app’s main screen, tap + (top‑right). You must be signed in as an Admin or Tag Admin.
2

Choose a tag type

  • Standard — can be rewritten later.
  • Password Protected — requires a password to change the tag in future.
  • Permanently Locked — can never be rewritten (irreversible; use for permanent installations).
3

Write the chip

Hold the back of your phone near a blank NFC chip. The app writes the UID automatically.
4

Fill in the details

Enter the Identifier, Location, and optional description, then tap Save. The tag is registered and its UID is recorded.
The app shows each new tag’s UID after writing. Note it down if you intend to also print a matching QR code.

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Creating a QR Code Tag

QR codes are ideal where NFC isn’t practical — large rooms, outdoor areas, or laminated printouts on desks. A FocusFlow QR code encodes the same Tag UID as an NFC tag, so scanning either one has identical effect. You can create a tag that is QR only (no physical NFC chip), or generate a QR code to accompany an existing NFC tag.

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Generate a QR code in the web app

1

Open or create the tag record

Go to Tags and open an existing tag, or create a new one (see above). For a QR-only tag, you can enter any unique UID that isn’t already in use — or let FocusFlow generate one for you.
2

Generate the QR code

Click Generate QR (or Download QR). FocusFlow produces a print-ready QR image using your organisation’s QR template (logo, border, and branding colours set in Settings).
3

Download and print

Save the PNG or PDF. Print it at the size appropriate for the viewing distance — at least 4 cm × 4 cm for desk use; larger for wall mounting.
4

Laminate and place

Laminate the printout to protect it. Stick or mount it where users will scan — at eye level, with clear sightlines.
Generate QR code for a tag
Once generated, the dialog gives you several options for getting the code into the real world:
When downloading a QR code intended for a 3D holder, remove the logo and caption from your QR template first (Settings → QR Code Template). Logos and captions add whitespace that changes the dimensions of the printed image and may cause it to not fit correctly in the holder.
The Tag code shown at the bottom of the dialog (e.g. QR-6SS9SB3HDZE5) is the unique identifier encoded in this QR code. Keep a record of it if you need to cross-reference the printed tag with its entry in the dashboard.

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Create a QR-only tag from the mobile app (no NFC hardware)

On a device without NFC (or in the emulator), the app skips writing a physical chip and goes straight to registration. Use this to create a QR-only tag without a computer:
1

Tap the + button

Tap + (top‑right). The app detects that NFC is unavailable and offers to create a tag record directly.
2

Fill in the details

Enter the Identifier and Location. The app assigns a UID automatically.
3

Save

Tap Save. The tag record is created. Log in to the web app to download and print the matching QR code.

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QR code template

You can customise the appearance of all generated QR codes — adding your organisation logo, choosing border colours, and setting a footer label — in Settings → QR Code Template. The template applies to every QR code you generate from that point on.
QR code template settings
Generate a test QR code after updating the template to confirm the logo and colours look right before reprinting in bulk.

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Managing tags

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Deactivate a tag

Set a tag’s Active toggle to Off to temporarily stop it triggering sessions. The tag record and its scan history are kept. Reactivate it at any time. Use deactivation when a tag is temporarily out of service (e.g. being moved to a new location).

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Delete a tag

Deleting removes the tag record permanently. Past scan events remain in your reports. Only Admins can delete tags.
Deleting a tag cannot be undone. If you might need the tag again, deactivate it instead.