TL;DR
Google has introduced digital home keys in Google Wallet, letting eligible Android users unlock compatible smart locks by tapping their phone or, on supported devices, approaching the door. The feature is in public preview through Google Home and is expected to roll out more widely over the coming weeks; supported locks and phones are currently limited.
Google is adding digital home keys to Google Wallet, allowing eligible Android users to unlock supported smart locks by tapping a phone near the lock or, with compatible devices, approaching the door. The feature is in public preview through the Google Home app, and Google says it will roll out to everyone over the coming weeks.
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The new Wallet keys use NFC for Tap to Unlock and, on compatible phones and locks, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for hands-free unlocking. Google says a user can hold the back of an NFC-enabled Android phone near a lock reader without first unlocking the phone. Unlock on Approach must be enabled in Google Wallet; once active, it can unlock a door as the user walks up.
One digital key can control multiple compatible locks. People in a household who are linked to the same Google Home account can also add their own key to their personal Wallet, according to Google. The company says the feature is built on Aliro, an open standard intended to let phones work with smart locks across brands.
Compatibility is limited at launch. Google’s listed supported locks are the Aqara U400, Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC. Schlage Sense Pro supports NFC at launch, with UWB support to follow, Google says. The setup also requires a Matter-enabled Google Hub with a Thread Border Router, such as the second-generation Nest Hub.
Google Wallet home keys unlock compatible doors
Eligible Android users can tap to unlock supported smart locks, or approach the door with compatible UWB devices. The feature is in public preview, with broader access expected over the coming weeks.
Two ways to unlock
The method depends on the phone, lock and settings.
- Hold the back of an NFC-enabled phone near the reader.
- The phone does not need to be unlocked.
- Enable the option in Google Wallet.
- A compatible UWB phone can unlock as you approach.
What households need
Check every part of the setup before relying on a Wallet key.
Google lists Aqara U400, Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC.
Tap access needs NFC and Android 9 or later; hands-free access also needs Aliro-compatible UWB.
A Matter-enabled Google Hub with a Thread Border Router is required, such as the second-generation Nest Hub.
Support is still limited
The feature adds convenience, while compatibility sets its reach.
| Capability | Current status |
|---|---|
| Google Wallet preview | Available through Google Home |
| Wider rollout | Expected over the coming weeks |
| Schlage Sense Pro UWB | Planned after NFC launch; no date given |
| Wear OS watches | Not supported at launch |
Phone Keys Reach Google Wallet
The addition gives Android users a way to keep a home key in the same digital wallet used for other credentials, rather than relying only on a lock’s app or a physical key. The two unlocking options also serve different situations: NFC tap access requires the user to bring a phone close to the reader, while UWB hands-free access can work as the user approaches, where supported.
The practical reach is narrower than the announcement may suggest. Owners need a compatible lock, a suitable Google Home hub and an eligible phone, and hands-free unlocking has additional UWB requirements. That means the feature is a new option for some households, not a universal replacement for existing keys or entry methods.
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Aliro Support Sets the Limits
Google Home already offered some smart-lock unlocking functions. The Wallet addition brings the phone’s NFC and UWB capabilities into that experience and places a digital home key in Google’s wallet app. The feature follows similar digital home-key conveniences available to Apple and Samsung users, though the current Android rollout depends on specific devices and hardware.
Aliro is the standard underpinning the new capabilities, but compatible hardware remains limited. Google says more locks are coming, without naming additional models or giving dates. At launch, NFC phones running Android 9 or later can use Tap to Unlock; hands-free unlocking requires an Aliro-compatible UWB phone, with Google citing the Pixel 10 Pro series and later as examples.
“The feature will roll out to everyone “over the coming weeks.””
Compatibility and Rollout Still Developing
Google has not provided a complete schedule for the wider release beyond saying it is expected over the coming weeks. It is also unclear which additional lock models will support the feature, when they will be certified, or whether the current list will expand at the same time as the rollout.
Support for Wear OS watches is absent at launch, and Google has not announced a date or commitment for adding it. UWB support is also not uniform across listed locks: Google says the Schlage Sense Pro will have NFC at launch and UWB later, but does not specify a date for that update. The feature’s availability will depend on the exact lock, phone and Google Home hub in each setup.
More Locks and Wider Access
Google says it plans to expand access beyond the current public preview over the coming weeks. Users considering the feature will need to check whether their lock is supported, whether their Android phone meets the relevant NFC or UWB requirements, and whether their home has a compatible Matter-enabled Google Hub with Thread Border Router.
Further developments to watch include additions to the supported-lock list, UWB availability for the Schlage Sense Pro, and any announcement about Wear OS support. Google has not provided dates for those changes, so their timing remains undetermined.
Source: rss
Key Questions
How does Google Wallet’s digital home key unlock a door?
With Tap to Unlock, hold the back of an NFC-enabled Android phone near the lock reader; the phone does not need to be unlocked. With Unlock on Approach, an eligible UWB phone can unlock a compatible door as the user approaches, after the option is enabled in Wallet.
Which smart locks are supported?
Google lists the Aqara U400, Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC. Schlage Sense Pro supports NFC at launch, with UWB support planned to follow. Google says more locks will be added but has not named them.
What devices and home hardware are required?
Tap to Unlock requires an NFC-enabled Android phone running Android 9 or later. Hands-free unlocking requires an Aliro UWB-compatible Android phone, such as a Pixel 10 Pro series device or later. Both capabilities require a Matter-enabled Google Hub with a Thread Border Router, such as the second-generation Nest Hub.
Can I use a Wear OS watch as a home key?
Not at launch. Google has not announced when or whether Wear OS watch support will be added.
When will the feature be available to everyone?
The feature is currently in public preview through Google Home. Google says it will roll out to everyone over the coming weeks, but has not given a specific date.
Source: theverge.com
