Google Wallet Adds Digital Home Keys for Android 9+ Phones as Wider Rollout Begins
Updated
Updated · Digital Trends · Nov 12
Google Wallet Adds Digital Home Keys for Android 9+ Phones as Wider Rollout Begins
3 articles · Updated · Digital Trends · Nov 12
Summary
Google has started rolling out digital home keys in Google Wallet through its Google Home Public Preview, letting Android users unlock compatible smart locks with their phones.
NFC unlocking works by tapping a phone to the lock—even if the phone is currently locked, as long as it was unlocked within the last few hours—while UWB enables hands-free "Unlock on Approach."
Android 9 or newer is required for NFC, along with a Matter-certified lock that supports the Aliro standard and a Google Home hub with Thread Border Router support; supported devices include Aqara U400, Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC.
UWB access needs a compatible phone such as the Pixel 10 Pro series, and Wear OS watches are not supported at launch.
The launch brings Google closer to Apple, which has offered home keys since 2021, after Google added Aliro door-key support to Wallet in a Play system update earlier this week.