Google Wallet just turned your Android phone into a digital house key – how it works

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Google Wallet Home Keys are rolling out this month.
• Android users will be able to unlock compatible smart locks with a tap of their phone.
• Apple has supported Home Keys for iPhones since 2021.

Google is adding digital home keys to Google Wallet, letting users tap their phones to unlock compatible smart locks. The home key functionality, which will integrate with Google Home, will roll out this month.

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Apple introduced Home Keys in 2021 with iOS 15, allowing users to store digital keys in the Apple Wallet. This lets you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock to unlock it. More recently, the addition of Express Mode to Apple Home lets users unlock smart locks without first unlocking their iPhones with Face ID.

Google’s digital keys use tap-to-unlock via NFC on smart locks. Like the Apple Home Key, you don’t need to unlock your phone to use your digital key, though you can change your verification settings as you wish.

Google’s announcement confirms that the company is embracing Aliro and UWB unlocking technologies as well. UWB unlocking for smart locks is supported on Google Pixel 10 Pro and newer models, as well as select UWB-enabled Samsung Galaxy phones. Aliro is a common standard for compatible smart locks and devices.

Before Google’s announcement, compatible smart locks could be controlled on Android through their accompanying app and Google Home. Smart lock companies also offered their own digital access methods, like NFC cards, Bluetooth, and geolocation.

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One digital key will be created for each Google Home, so it can unlock all compatible smart locks in that home. You won’t need to search through digital keys in Google Wallet to find the one for your front door, back door, or bedroom door — just tap your phone and Google Home will recognize the lock as one in your smart home ecosystem.

At launch, Google Wallet will support digital keys for the Aqara U400 with UWB and NFC, and NFC on the Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2.

Google Wallet already supports digital car keys for compatible vehicles.

Maria Diaz is a staff writer with a passion for home automation, smart home devices, and tablets. With a background in graphic design, photography, and filmmaking, she has a bachelor’s in Mass Communication and experience in journalism and film.

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