TaskBlue or Brick: two physical keys compared
Brick suits a child who wants to set their own limits, and families looking for a one-off device that also works on Android. TaskBlue suits you if you set the places and times and keep the key. Brick describes itself as an opt-in tool and has no dedicated child mode.
As of: October 2026
What is Brick?
Brick is made by the US company Brick LLC and runs on iPhone and on Android 12 or later with NFC. You hold the phone to the Brick, a small NFC device, to block apps, and hold it there again to unblock them. There is no child mode: Brick calls itself an opt-in tool and gives parents tips on its help page, such as turning on Strict Mode. There is no subscription; you only buy the device.
Where Brick is strong
- A real barrier: unblocking only works with the Brick, and it can stay at home.
- Buy once, no subscription, on iPhone and Android.
- Simple day to day: tap to block, up to ten custom modes, schedules and remote start.
Side by side
| Topic | TaskBlue | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Child's device | iPhone with iOS 16 or later | iPhone (iOS 17 or later per Brick, iOS 18 per the App Store), Android 12 or later with NFC |
| What parents need | Neither an app nor an iPhone of their own. Setup happens on the child's iPhone. | No parent mode; Brick calls itself an opt-in tool |
| How apps are blocked | Chosen apps disappear from the home screen. Categories and websites show Apple's block screen. | Temporarily removes chosen apps and their notifications |
| Automatic by place | Yes, at up to 20 places with a 100 to 500 m radius | Not stated |
| Schedules | Weekly schedule, chosen calendar events or by hand | Yes, plus up to ten custom modes and remote start |
| Ending early | With the BlueTag or the 6-digit parent PIN. Without a PIN, the child has three emergency exits. | With the Brick; plus five emergency unbricks that support can reset |
| What parents see | No location, no messages, no browsing history | Not stated |
| Price | €49.99 for 12 months or €9.99 a month, BlueTag included | €63.95 for one Brick, no subscription, the app is free |
| Also | Every focus hour funds the recovery of about 100 g of ocean plastic. | A Strict Mode prevents the app from being deleted |
When Brick is the better fit
Your teenager wants to set their own limits and may be using an Android phone.
When TaskBlue is the better fit
You want to set the places and times, and the key stays with you as the parent.
Frequently asked
Is Brick suitable for children?
Brick can be used for children, but it is not built for them. On its help page Brick calls itself an opt-in tool with no kids mode and suggests that parents turn on Strict Mode, use up the emergency unbricks in advance and block Settings with a Shortcut.
Does TaskBlue need a subscription?
Not necessarily. The yearly plan costs €49.99 once for twelve months and does not renew by itself; the monthly plan costs €9.99. The BlueTag comes with both plans, more on the pricing page.
Sources
As of October 2026. All information without guarantee.
- Brick, Brick, 2026
- Brick FAQ, Brick, 2026
- Brick (Produktseite), Brick, 2026
- I'm a parent: how do I use Brick for my child?, Brick Support, 2026
- Emergency Unbricks, Brick Support, 2026
- Brick and NFC on Android, Brick Support, 2026
- Brick im App Store (Deutschland), Apple App Store, 2026
Read on
Fewer distractions for your child. Less plastic in the sea.
A year costs €49.99 once, a month €9.99. The BlueTag comes with both plans.