Google Smart Lock vs Sony | BRAVIA Connect
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Google Smart Lock
Securely log in to websites and apps using your phone's built-in security key or a physical Bluetooth key. It simplifies access by remembering your passwords and offering a more convenient sign-in experience.
- Use phone as security key
- Use Bluetooth security key
- Password saving
- Simplified sign-in
- Secure access
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Smart Lock allows you to use your Bluetooth security key or set up the security key built in to your phone.
Sony | BRAVIA Connect
Control your Sony TVs and home theater systems with ease from your smartphone. This app simplifies setup, provides remote control functionality, and keeps you informed about the latest news and software updates for your devices.
- Easy home theater setup
- Smartphone remote control
- Latest news and updates
- Vision assistance with VoiceOver
- Unified device control
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This is a control app for easy use of Sony TVs and home theater products. Operate easily from your smartphone. For smooth setup and easy troubleshooting. "Home Entertainment Connect" has changed its name to "Sony | BRAVIA Connect". You can continue to use Home Entertainment Connect-compatible devices with Sony | BRAVIA Connect. The following Sony product models are compatible with this app. You can look forward to an growing lineup of compatible products in the future. Home Theatre & Soundbars:BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9, Bar 8, Quad, Bar 7, Bar 6, Bar 5, System 6, Trio, HT-AX7, HT-S2000 TVs:BRAVIA 9 II, 9, 8 II, 8, 7 II, 7, 5, 3 II, 3, 2 II, A95L Series, XR8 Series *This may include products that are not available in some countries or regions. *Before using, please ensure that your TV or home theater system software is up to date. *This update will roll out gradually. Please wait for it to be released on your TV. Main Feature ■Easily set up your home theater products without the need for the manual. No need to read the manual anymore. Everything you need for setup is already integrated into the app, so all you have to do is open the app and it will guide you step by step. With animations that have been optimized for the device you purchased, anyone can easily complete the setup process without hesitation. *Please set up your TV on the TV screen before using the app. ■Take control from your smartphone Have you ever wanted to control a device, but the remote control isn't near or you can't find it quickly? Now you can use your smartphone to control a device for situations just like that. Furthermore, by connecting a compatible TV and audio device, you can control them all from your smartphone. You no longer have to go back and forth between settings screens or switching remotes. ■Get the latest news and updates Full support is provided to ensure that each device is used in the most up-to-date and optimal condition. Even after setup is complete, the app will notify you of recommended features, settings, software updates*, etc. The software wasn't updated. I didn't know it had the feature! These surprises are a thing of the past. The app provides support so that you can maximize the value of the equipment you have purchased. *Notifications about TV software updates are available on the TV screen. ■Vision assistance Use the built-in iOS VoiceOver function to assist with setup and remote control operations using voice narration. You no longer need to memorize the layout of buttons on the remote control or the order of items on the screen. *Depending on the function or screen, the audio may not be read out correctly. We will continue to improve and update the read-out content in the future. Note *This app is not guaranteed to work with all smartphones/tablets. And Chromebooks are not compatible with the app. *Some functions and services may not be supported in certain regions/countries. *Bluetooth® and its logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and their use by Sony Corporation is under license. *Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Sony | BRAVIA Connect at 4.5 against Google Smart Lock's 2.5. Sony | BRAVIA Connect also leads on review sentiment (27% vs 10%) and ratings volume (12K vs 636). Google Smart Lock's advantage is chart position (#160 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sony | BRAVIA Connect holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sony | BRAVIA Connect has 12K ratings behind it against 636, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 10% of Google Smart Lock's written reviews are positive against 27% of Sony | BRAVIA Connect's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Google Smart Lock | Sony | BRAVIA Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.5 (636 ratings) | 4.5 (12K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 10.3% of reviews | 27.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 636 | 12K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #160 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 56 MB | 195 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Google LLC | Sony Corporation |
Customer experience
Google Smart Lock
Sony | BRAVIA Connect
User reviews
Google Smart Lock
From 636 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Works fine
- 🔒 Adds extra security layer
- 👍 Useful app
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes on iOS 18 update
- 🐛 Doesn't work with Yubikey
- 🐛 Doesn't work with child accounts
- 🐛 Unreliable, constant issues
- 🐛 Locked out of accounts
Sony | BRAVIA Connect
From 12K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Excellent app for Bravia TV
- 🚀 Responsive app
- 💡 Allows changing picture and sound settings on the fly
- 👍 Intuitive and gives quick access to apps
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues, frequently disconnects
- 🐛 Buggy pairing and setup process
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with some TV models
- 🐛 Crashes and requires frequent reconnections
- 🐛 Lacks important features like equalizer
Bugs and requests
Google Smart Lock
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes on launch
- Doesn't detect nearby devices
- Endless login loop
- Incompatible with latest iOS
Requested features
3 requests- Support for NFC security keys
- Easier setup and usage
- Better compatibility with other devices
Sony | BRAVIA Connect
Reported bugs
4 issues- Doesn't work after iOS 18 update
- Unable to connect to Bravia Theater Quad system
- Fails to discover and connect to some TV models
- Loses connection to soundbar frequently
Requested features
4 requests- Add graphic equalizer
- Improve wireless connection monitoring
- Allow rearranging of app shortcuts
- Add arrow buttons and select button
In-app purchases
Google Smart Lock
No in-app purchases
Sony | BRAVIA Connect
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Google Smart Lock free?
Is Sony | BRAVIA Connect free?
Which has better reviews, Google Smart Lock or Sony | BRAVIA Connect?
Do Google Smart Lock or Sony | BRAVIA Connect have ads?
Which is updated more often, Google Smart Lock or Sony | BRAVIA Connect?
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