Overview
- Google has begun rolling out a feature that lets users add digital home keys to Google Wallet through the Google Home app so compatible smart locks can be unlocked with an Android phone.
- After adding a key, users can Tap to Unlock via NFC and the default setting allows unlocking with the phone screen locked while Wallet offers an option to require screen lock or biometric verification.
- A hands‑free Unlock on Approach feature uses Aliro’s Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology but is limited at launch to Aliro‑compatible locks and UWB‑capable phones such as the Pixel 10 Pro series and select Samsung Galaxy models.
- Launch support covers a small set of locks — Aqara u400 (UWB and NFC), Schlage Sense Pro (NFC now, UWB coming later), and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC — and Google says more models and wider UWB rollouts will follow.
- Keys are tied to the Google Home ecosystem and automatically sync across Android phones signed into the same Google Wallet account; the feature requires Android 9 or newer and Wear OS watches are not supported at launch.