TaskBlue or Microsoft Family Safety? A comparison
Microsoft Family Safety works well for Windows PCs, Xbox and Android, but not for your child's iPhone: Microsoft describes no time limits, app blocking or web filtering there, and the iPhone app is meant for parents. TaskBlue is built for exactly that iPhone and locks distracting apps on it at set times or places.
As of: October 2026
What is Microsoft Family Safety?
Microsoft Family Safety is a free Microsoft service for families with Microsoft accounts. Parents set time limits for devices, apps and games, filter websites in Microsoft Edge, approve Microsoft Store downloads and get weekly reports. All of this works on Windows, Xbox and Android. Microsoft removed location tracking and drive safety from the app in June 2025.
Where Microsoft Family Safety is strong
- Free and tied straight into Windows, Xbox and the Microsoft account
- Fine-grained time limits for apps and games on Windows, Xbox and Android
- Parents approve downloads and purchases in the Microsoft Store
Side by side
| Topic | TaskBlue | Microsoft Family Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Child's device | iPhone with iOS 16 or later | Windows, Xbox and Android. Microsoft lists no features for a child's iPhone. |
| What parents need | Neither an app nor an iPhone of their own. Setup happens on the child's iPhone. | A Microsoft account with a family group, plus the app for iPhone or Android or the website |
| How apps are blocked | Chosen apps disappear from the home screen. Categories and websites show Apple's block screen. | Block or limit apps and games, filter websites in Microsoft Edge |
| Automatic by place | Yes, at up to 20 places with a 100 to 500 m radius | No. Microsoft removed the location features in 2025. |
| Schedules | Weekly schedule, chosen calendar events or by hand | Per-weekday limits for apps and games, device time on Windows and Xbox |
| Ending early | With the BlueTag or the 6-digit parent PIN. Without a PIN, the child has three emergency exits. | Parents answer their children's requests in the app, for example for Microsoft Store downloads. |
| What parents see | No location, no messages, no browsing history | Weekly reports on device and app use, web and search activity in Edge, spending |
| Price | €49.99 for 12 months or €9.99 a month, BlueTag included | Free |
| Also | Every focus hour funds the recovery of about 100 g of ocean plastic. | Locking a device only works on Xbox and Windows 11 |
When Microsoft Family Safety is the better fit
Your child mostly uses a Windows PC, an Xbox or an Android device, and you want to manage gaming time and purchases for free.
When TaskBlue is the better fit
Your child has an iPhone, and certain apps should disappear from it at set times or at places like school, so they can concentrate.
Can you use both?
Yes, and they complement each other well: Family Safety handles the Xbox and Windows PC, TaskBlue the iPhone. Since they work on different devices, they don't get in each other's way.
Frequently asked
Does Microsoft Family Safety work on an iPhone?
As a parent app, yes. But Microsoft only describes time limits, app blocking and web filtering for Windows, Xbox and Android. For a child's iPhone, look at Apple's Screen Time or TaskBlue.
Does Microsoft Family Safety still show location?
No. With the update of 9 June 2025, Microsoft removed location tracking and drive safety from the app.
How much does Microsoft Family Safety cost?
Nothing. The app is free in the App Store and works with a Microsoft account.
Sources
As of October 2026. All information without guarantee.
- Get the Microsoft Family Safety app, Microsoft, 2026
- Set up Microsoft Family Safety, Microsoft, 2026
- Block or unblock apps with Microsoft Family Safety, Microsoft, 2026
- Microsoft Family Safety (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.