Google Wallet integrates digital home keys to unlock doors with a tap or walk-up approach

Google is rolling out digital home key support to Google Wallet on Android, letting users unlock doors via NFC tap or automatically as they approach. The feature began rolling out to Google Home Public Preview members on November 11, with general availability expected over the coming weeks. At launch, supported locks include the Aqara u400, Schlage Sense Pro, and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC. [1][2][3]

The feature relies on the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Aliro standard. Tapping to unlock requires Android 9 or higher and operates even with the phone locked and the screen off, though users can require device unlock or biometric authentication. The hands-free unlock-on-approach option requires an Aliro Ultra-Wideband lock and a compatible device, such as Google's Pixel 10 Pro series or select UWB-enabled Samsung Galaxy phones. This hands-free mode is turned off by default, does not support Wear OS watches at launch, and requires a Matter-enabled Google Hub with Thread border router support. [1][3]

Because digital keys link directly to a household profile rather than an individual lock, a single Google Wallet key unlocks every compatible Aliro door lock in that home. Keys automatically sync across compatible Android devices tied to the same Google account, and other household members can add the key to their personal wallets. [1][3]