Google Smart Lock Reviews

Pros: can use iPhone’s security chip as authentication hardware key
Cons: I have to open my gmail app, tap the yes button and then type in my iPhone lock key.
Why can’t they simply tap into iPhone’s Face ID to skip all these steps? I might as well type in my google password to login. Yes, it’s more secure. But it does not save me the trouble of having to type in password (in this case my iPhone lock key).

I’ve enabled this 2-step verification from Google after purchased Google one subscription to ensure it will be more secured. But, the smart lock has stopped working today to verify my login request from other device so I had to log off from this smart lock app since I cannot login to “Google Account” page to disable this feature.

Once I log off from this Smart Lock, then it doesn’t allow me to login again stating that you have enabled “Advanced Protection” turned on so you can’t sign in right now. Well, this is that stupid app suppose to protect my access if log off from this application how else am I suppose to login and authenticate.

It’s a classic dead lock error which google doesn’t fix it and they sent an email about someone from google support will contact in 3-5 business days.

This is atrocious! Why the heck we should purchase a “Google One” and lock our own accounts just because GoogleSmartLock doesn’t work in iOS.

Logging into Chrome on Mac triggers a notice on iPhone but clicking “yes” in smart lock to finish login just goes into a long pause then “could not find device nearby”. What does that even mean?? Obviously my Mac reached my phone to trigger the notice. They should be talking at this point. Deleted GoogleSmartLock .

The outrageous part is that chrome on my Mac insists that this is the first go to method to do 2 factor and there’s no way to change that. Really?? FIX IT if you insist this is the first go to method. I see from comments it’s been a problem for over a year.

GoogleSmartLock does not have lock, like finger lock and other features which make account more secure

This is a great update. I like the new design and how the functionality of GoogleSmartLock is clearer now.
The best thing about this is that now I can use my iPhone as a security key. This is a huge step forward to make it easier for people to protect their accounts. I’ll still keep my hardware keys as a backup.

Doesn’t work. Set it up fine. Later was inexplicably logged out of google domains. Cannot use GoogleSmartLock to log back in. Have tried everything. No way to receive support... without logging in. Their support forums are full of this, but no solutions. Guess I won’t be using Google anymore. Hope I don’t get any important emails at my Gmail account! Unfortunately it was my primary account. Not even sure I will be able to set up the $40 USB key I ordered that still has not arrived. Hope they accept returns!

WARNING: this does not work for iPhone XR on the latest OS. When attempting to sign into my Google account on my iMac, I receive the sign in notification on my iPhone. However when I click the notification and open the Smart Lock app, I just get a loading spinner for a minute or two. Then, I get an error message that says “Smart Lock could not find a nearby device” and the only option is to change my Google password. I’ve been searching for a solution but cannot find one. HELP.

After having GoogleSmartLock for sometime now, enrolled into Advance Protection and certain sites or apps require using GoogleSmartLock for verification. Lately it’s been not recognizing my 2 keys, so I removed my account and tried adding it back, when pairing BT key is sees it I can select it, the final step to enter PIN the entire app disappears. I’ve uninstalled ad reinstalled app and tried many times with same outcome.

Get GoogleSmartLock if you wanna be safe. I recently got almost hacked by hackers from Saudi Arabia but GoogleSmartLock helped me change my password fast and alerted me their were people actually trying to get in. If you have this and twostep you will be virtually safe.

The new update now lets you use your phone as a physical security key when logging into google services on Chrome. Greatly appreciated and really helps with security concerns for the amount of data Google has on us.

When it works, it’s fine but too often it doesn’t. It will receive a notification for 2FA but will hang and be unable to find my Mac even though it’s connected via Bluetooth. This brings up another question: why the ef does GoogleSmartLock need to talk to my Mac over Bluetooth? No other 2FA app I’ve used does and they all work way more reliably than this one!

I used GoogleSmartLock for my emails and every single one was stolen from GoogleSmartLock ! I can’t get them back either because they get so far as to signing me in with my iPhone key but then I have to continue recovery of the account when I’m just trying to get my emails and then during the recovery process they end up telling me they can’t validate that I am the account owner. 7 different emails had been hacked from that one app and are now unrecoverable! It’s a joke!

It’s awesome with this update to use my iPhone as my security key when logging into my Google account. Much better security than SMS as a second factor and way more convenient than carrying around a separate security key dongle.

Like every other app invented, this dumb idea was brought up to add another step of mediation btw the work I am required to do to eat and myself, because having to click on a couple extra buttons is what makes this VC speculation based economy function, to the detriment of every person who could care less if their work email was hacked. I hate it here.

This stupid app won’t allow a sign/register my accounts using the USB key (which I’d prefer), because it wants me to use THIS EXACT APP in order to validate my sign in! How can I sign into this Smart Lock app using another Smart Lock app, when this is the only smart lock app I have/use? It won’t provide the USB key option or any other option to sign into it.

Pathetic is not the word.

Yessss laws, finally something that can finally keep me safe from all these cyber hacks omg B thanks to google and the folks who helped design GoogleSmartLock you are attributing to a great cause privacy! I appreciate you tremendously!
“Phillip Rhodes”

Honestly? Great idea, except for when you end up in a closed loop the developers didn’t think of, and you are completely unable to log in, with constant redirects and critical security alerts.

Will try again, when improved.

I’m moving from an iPhone 6S to an SE 2, both at iOS 15.2. I’m locked out of Google Voice with 2FA. When I try to authenticate with Smart Lock and a Bluetooth Titan Security Key, Smart Lock crashes every time at the step where I’m about to enter the Titan’s PIN. Google has no help available to address this situation

Not worked for some time. Possibly due to iOS update. Impossible to get support from google. Note I have 2 paid accounts with google. A personal and business. Still impossible to get support. Google use to be great and now it’s worse than Microsoft…

GoogleSmartLock is useless. The google titan security key says you need to use GoogleSmartLock to pair with Bluetooth. But GoogleSmartLock does not give the option to pair with Bluetooth. Instead it circles you in an endless loop, where to log into smartlock you need to....already be logged into smartlock.

My previous rating was as low you could get and given how many Google projects hit the skids or vanish away, I was shocked that Google did a 180 to drastic improvement. Not only did they completely re-work the smart lock app but they improved the advanced protection program at the same time. Whereas GoogleSmartLock was mostly an unreliable fail before, it’s now works like a charm and it allows your iPhone to be one of your security keys. So between my iPhone and the two Titan security keys, my security profile is greatly increased while minimizing the risk of getting locked out - would have to lose both keys and the iPhone. Also, the iPhone as a key allows you additional capabilities that the USB keys can’t provide. So hats off to Google for making the advanced protection a practical high security option as opposed to a self-imposed shackling.

The built-in security key feature and new UI are really cool! As an Advanced Protection Program user, I’ve always wanted to use my iPhone as a security key, which would save me the burden of carrying another security key around or occasional Bluetooth paring failure. Glad to see Google put more efforts into GoogleSmartLock.

Google is forcing iOS users to use GoogleSmartLock but they didn’t test it at all before release:

1. You cannot use it with Advanced Protection, contrary to their recent press release: if you set it up before enrolling it will be removed. One APP has been enabled, you cannot login from the device to enable GoogleSmartLock.

2. Google breaks security key logins for iOS by assuming that you have GoogleSmartLock working: that prevents the NFC FIDO key I use on compliant sites from being used.

I hope it’s perfect tool for 2fa auths on iOS system.

GoogleSmartLock becomes much more useful as I can now use it to replace my Bluetooth security key dongle!

Useless for use with chrome books because iPhone Bluetooth is not compatible with chrome books. What a bummer

Incredible, show-stopping, spectacular. Needed this. Whoever made this is talented and brilliant. thank you

Like everything these morons do. GoogleSmartLock just sits there spinning and not responding. Good job guys. That’s another win for this wonderful company. Can’t wait for the day a competent replacement comes along.

I have an NFC key, but Google pushes me to this. Don't install, Google just needs to fix their app.

Great design and UI!

Very nice app.