Smart Glasses Companion Apps for your Phone

Why Smart Glasses Companion Apps are the Real MVPs

Most people think the tech is all in the frames, but the glasses are really just the “monitor” while the phone in your pocket is the actual computer. Whether you’re trying out the Ray-Ban Metas, tinkering with XREAL’s AR tech, or wearing a pair of Lucyd Lytes, the companion app is the silent partner doing all the heavy lifting. I’ve spent months living with these apps on both Android and iPhone, and I’ve learned the hard way that understanding the software is the only way to make the hardware actually worth wearing. Do not attempt to use your smart glasses without first installing the Smart Glasses Companion App to your smartphone.

The Smart Glasses Companion App is your remote control, your data hub, and the translator for your eyewear. Without it, those “smart” glasses are just heavy sunglasses with speakers.

The Brand Breakdown: Which App Do You Need?

Before you start downloading, you need the right tool for the job. Here is the definitive list of Smart Glasses Companion Apps for the major players in 2026.

Brand	Companion App Name	Key Purpose
Meta / Ray-Ban	Meta View (formerly Meta AI)	Photo/Video sync, AI assistant, and live streaming.
XREAL	Nebula	Creating the 3D “AR Space” and firmware updates.
Lucyd	Lucyd App	Voice-access to ChatGPT and simple translation.
Solos	Solos AirGo	Fitness coaching, posture alerts, and multi-AI chat.
Vuzix	Vuzix Companion	Notification management and remote display input.
Even Realities	Even Realities App	Teleprompter controls and HUD navigation.
ENGO / ActiveLook	ActiveLook	Real-time athletic metrics (speed, heart rate).
Bose (Legacy)	Bose Connect	Basic EQ and “Find My” for older audio frames.

Real-World Companion Apps

Every Smart Glasses Companion App handles the basics—pairing and battery levels—but the reason you pick one brand over another often comes down to these specific “killer features” tucked away in the menus.

1. Meta View (The Social Powerhouse)

Meta View is incredibly polished. Whether I’m on my iPhone or my Pixel, it feels like a high-end photography app.

Unique Feature: Hands-Free Video Calling. You can actually start a WhatsApp or Messenger video call via the app where your friends see exactly what you’re looking at. It’s the ultimate “wish you were here” feature.
Unique Feature: Voice-to-Text Privacy. The app lets you toggle “Voice Activity” storage on or off, which is a big deal if you’re uncomfortable with Meta keeping recordings of your “Hey Meta” queries.
Unique Feature: Apple Music/Spotify Integration. It doesn’t just play audio; the app allows you to map specific gestures (like a long press) to trigger a curated “smart playlist” based on your mood.

2. XREAL Nebula (The Productivity Hub)

Nebula is less about “lifestyle” and more about “workspace.”

Unique Feature: AR Space (Android Only). This is the crown jewel. It creates a curved virtual desktop where you can pin multiple windows (like a browser and a YouTube player) in fixed spots in your physical room.
Unique Feature: Virtual Screen Dimming. The app allows you to adjust the transparency of the background, which is a lifesaver when you’re trying to watch a movie on a bright train.
Unique Feature: Spatial Bookmarking. You can save the layout of your virtual windows so that when you put the glasses back on at your desk, everything is exactly where you left it.

3. Solos AirGo (The Wellness Specialist)

Solos has leaned hard into being a “wearable for your health,” and their Smart Glasses Companion App reflects that.

Unique Feature: Whisper Messages. The app can read out your incoming texts and notifications into your ear, but only when it detects the glasses are actually on your face.
Unique Feature: AI Posture Training. Using the sensors in the frames, the app tracks your head tilt. If you’ve been slouching over your laptop for more than 10 minutes, the app sends a gentle chime to the glasses to tell you to sit up.
Unique Feature: Group Chat (Intercom). You can set up a “room” in the app so that a group of people all wearing Solos glasses can talk to each other like they’re on walkie-talkies.

4. Even Realities (The “Pro” Experience)

This Smart Glasses Companion App is designed for people who give speeches or travel often.

Unique Feature: Teleprompter Mode. You can paste a script into the app, and it scrolls the text across your field of vision at a speed you control with your phone’s volume buttons.
Unique Feature: Real-Time HUD Navigation. Unlike Meta, which just gives audio, this app pushes turn-by-turn arrows directly onto the glass, powered by Google Maps data.

Android vs. iPhone: The Honest Showdown

After carrying both a Pixel and an iPhone for months to test these, here’s how they stack up.

Feature	Android (Pixel/Samsung)	iPhone (iOS)
Connectivity	Fast, but drops if “Battery Optimization” is too aggressive.	Rock-solid Bluetooth, but strict on background data.
Voice Assistants	Deep integration with Google/Gemini.	Siri is limited; 3rd party AI apps need to be open.
Media Sync	Files are easy to find in the main Gallery.	Files often stay “trapped” in the app until manually saved.
Customization	More “tinkerer” options.	“It just works,” provided you follow Apple’s rules.

The “Battery Optimization” Trap: If you’re on Android and your glasses keep losing their connection, it’s likely your phone killing the app to save power. Go to Settings > Apps > [Your App] > Battery and set it to “Unrestricted.” This fixed 90% of my connection issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

If your Smart Glasses Companion App is acting up, don’t throw your glasses across the room just yet. Try these steps in order.

For Meta View (Ray-Ban Meta)

The Case Trick: Place the glasses in the case, leave the lid open, and hold the button on the back for 5 seconds until the light pulses blue. This triggers a fresh Bluetooth handshake.
The Force Restart: If they’re frozen, slide the power switch (inside left arm) off. Hold the capture button while sliding the switch back on. Keep holding until the LED turns on.
The Wi-Fi Hand-off: If your videos won’t import, your phone might be clinging to a weak home Wi-Fi signal. Toggle your phone’s Wi-Fi off and then back on to force the app to create a direct link to the glasses.

For XREAL Nebula

Check the Cable: 90% of Nebula crashes on Android are due to a loose USB-C connection or a cable that doesn’t support 10Gbps data. Use the original cable.
Toggle Air Casting: If the AR Space isn’t loading, swipe down your Android notification shade and toggle “Air Casting” on and off. This often “wakes up” the Nebula driver.
Compatibility Check: Ensure your phone supports DP Alt Mode. You can check the XREAL Support Page for an updated list of compatible devices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Companion Apps

Q: Do I need the app open all the time?

A: Usually, no. Most can run in the background. However, for live translation or GPS navigation, the app needs to be “active” even if your screen is off.

Q: Why does the app drain my phone battery?

A: The app is constantly pinging the glasses via Bluetooth. If you’re worried about battery, turn off “Automatic Media Import.”

Q: Can I use the glasses with a different app?

A: Rarely. These systems are proprietary. You can use them as basic Bluetooth headphones with Spotify, but for the “smart” features, you’re stuck with the manufacturer’s app.

Q: What happens if the company goes out of business?

A: This is a real risk. If the app is pulled from the store, many features might stop working. It’s one reason I stick with bigger names like Meta.