Comparison

Key Retrieve vs MyAutoSmart

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Key Retrieve

Features
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***Important: Key Retrieve requires a login each and every time before using. The login will generate a random lock code in which the correct bitting will need to be provided. If you are not in the locksmith industry you will be unable to use this app.*** Have a customer who lost the combination to their push button lock box? Then this tool will help you retrieve your customer's keys and allow the ability to reuse their lock box. This tool was made specifically for the style lock boxes that have mechanical push buttons numbered one through five along the left side, 6 through zero along the right side, a vertical slider in the top-middle to open, and a vertical slider in the bottom-middle to clear all the buttons that may have been pressed. These lock boxes allow any combination of the ten numbers to be set from simply no combination at all to using all ten numbers, barring that no number can be repeated and the order in which the numbers are pressed do not matter. There are two different methods in which Key Retrieve uses: lock boxes that cannot be manipulated and lock boxes that can. This tool will not help manipulate nor will it show which method to use, but instead facilitates the process by eliminating wasted attempts and removes possibilities that would never exist. Overview: Key Retrieve consists of two different methods for opening which are simply named System 1 and System 2. You can toggle between the systems using the switch in the upper right hand corner. Both systems are executed using the controls at the bottom: Eject resets everything to default. Left Arrow moves back a step. Play begins the sequence automatically. Pause stops the sequence. And Right Arrow moves forward a step. (moving back a step is infinite for System 1 but limited to one step for System 2). Right above the controls is a progress bar that displays the amount of combinations tried out of the combinations available, as well at the very top is a slider to control the speed when using the automatic sequence (play control). Lastly, in the middle displays the combination to be tried in text as well as a graphic representation of the lock where the corresponding numbers/buttons will highlight to help as a visual aid. System 1: This system is only used on locks that cannot be manipulated and/or when no prior knowledge exists. Use System 2 if any part of the combination is known. Because these locks do not care about order and numbers cannot be repeated, there are only 1,024 possibilities (including no combination). This system will exhaust all 1,024 if needed, which with no strategy amounts to pressing over 7,000 buttons. However, only about a third of this 7,000+ total will be required for this system's method.

 To start, press Play or use the Next control repeatedly. The app will tell you one by one which button to press that you will simply copy onto the lock. You can set your speed by using the slider at the top if utilizing the Play control to run automatically. Tip: Before starting set the speed at various settings to calibrate your comfort. System 2: This system is only used when you have at least one known number in the combination, which is typically achieved from manipulation. Every number that is known in advance cuts the total possibilities in half. To start, tap on each number that is known and one at a time the number will be highlighted with a blue halo (tap again to turn off). After all known numbers have been selected, begin by using the Play or Next controls similar to System 1, except instead of a single button being displayed, the entire combination followed by Open and Clear will result as a single cycle. Remember that order does not matter: if the combination displayed contains a 1, 5, and an 8, then pressing 8 then 1 then 5 will result the same. Tip: Take your time manipulating the lock before using the app. Spending an extra minute or two up front can save much more later on.

About

MyAutoSmart

This locksmith tool provides comprehensive car information for key generation and programming. It links ASP and STRATTEC parts to vehicles, eliminating the need for physical catalogs. An annual subscription is required for access.

Highlights
  • Vehicle information lookup
  • Key generation assistance
  • Key programming support
  • ASP and STRATTEC parts linking
  • Digital catalog replacement
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The favorite Locksmith tool for looking up car info for generating keys, programming keys and making sure you have the right key to do the job. ASP and STRATTEC parts are linked to the vehicle when you look it up, making it a convenient tool instead of lugging around 50 catalogs. An annual subscription is required to log-in: https://www.michaelhyde.com/AutoSmart-Advisor-Mobile-for-the-Smartphone1yr-subscription.html

Screenshots

Key Retrieve4 screens
MyAutoSmart4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MyAutoSmart at Free against Key Retrieve's $9.99. MyAutoSmart also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 12 months). Key Retrieve's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

MyAutoSmart is free to download; Key Retrieve costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Key Retrieve ships an update every 12 months, MyAutoSmart every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Key Retrieve versus MyAutoSmart: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKey RetrieveMyAutoSmart
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating—4.2 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—11 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFarren DomeniciNational Auto Lock Service, Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Key Retrieve

No in-app purchases

None

MyAutoSmart

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Key Retrieve free?
Key Retrieve costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MyAutoSmart free?
MyAutoSmart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Key Retrieve or MyAutoSmart have ads?
Neither Key Retrieve nor MyAutoSmart shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Key Retrieve or MyAutoSmart?
Key Retrieve ships an update every 12 months, and MyAutoSmart every 2 months. Most recently, Key Retrieve was updated on November 8, 2026 and MyAutoSmart on November 3, 2026.

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