Writing about Second Key?

In one paragraph

Second Key is an app blocker for Android where early unlocks need another person’s approval. You choose the apps and the hours; someone you trust (a partner, friend or study partner) holds the key. When you want out early, they get a notification and decide. Waiting list open. Android first: a closed test comes before the Google Play launch. iPhone is not available yet.

Key facts

What it is

An Android app blocker where early unlocks need another person’s approval.

How an early unlock works

You ask with a reason and a length (5, 15 or 30 minutes). Your keyholder gets a notification and approves or declines. Approved apps re-lock on their own when the time runs out.

Who can be a keyholder

Anyone with a phone: a partner, friend, sibling, roommate or study partner. They join with a six-character code.

Platforms

Second Key launches on Android first, through Google Play. iPhone is not available yet; the iPhone version needs Apple’s approval and has no date.

Keyholder at launch

At launch the person being blocked and the keyholder both use the Android app. A way for a keyholder to answer from a link, without installing the app, is being tested and is not promised yet.

Pricing

Planned, not charged yet, and subject to change before launch: holding someone’s key is free forever. Free covers one block and three unlock requests a week. Pro is $59.99 a year or $9.99 a month, with a 7-day trial on the annual plan. Pair, for two people, is $89.99 a year. Prices in India will be lower. Everything is bought and cancelled in Google Play.

Blocking on Android

Uses Android usage access to see which app is open, and shows a block screen over held apps during scheduled hours.

Smart Blocks

On Android, you can type or say one sentence and get one recommended block to approve. Second Key’s own code reads the sentence first; if it can’t, that sentence goes to Claude Haiku, up to 5 times a day. Nothing is saved until you approve. Built, in testing and not released yet.

Claude connector

Second Key has a Claude connector (MCP) that can list, create, change, pause and delete blocks. A running block can only get stronger through it, and it can’t approve unlocks. Android; not released yet.

Suggestions on Android

On Android, the app can suggest one weekly block from your on-phone usage (First Look and Smart Suggestions) and summarise recent unlock requests for the keyholder. These are built and not yet released, and use no model. iPhone: not available.

Bypass reports

If someone switches off the permissions blocking depends on, their keyholder is told.

Early access

Everyone on the waiting list gets Second Key free for their first month, with every feature.

Privacy

Stores schedules, unlock requests and decisions. Never messages, browsing or what you look at.

Status

Waiting list open. Android first: a closed test comes before the Google Play launch. iPhone is not available yet.

Logos and images

Contact

hello@secondkey.linkReviewing Second Key for a roundup? Ask for early access, for you and whoever holds your key.