TL;DR
Google has added digital home keys to Google Wallet, letting supported Android phones unlock compatible smart locks by tapping or, on certain devices, approaching. The feature is in public preview through Google Home and is expected to roll out more widely over the coming weeks, but it requires compatible locks, phones and Google Home hardware.
Google Wallet can now store digital home keys that let Android users unlock supported smart locks by tapping their phone against a reader, or, with compatible devices, by walking up to the door. Google says the feature is in public preview through the Google Home app and will roll out to more users over the coming weeks.
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The update adds two ways to unlock a door. Tap to Unlock uses near-field communication (NFC): users hold the back of an eligible phone near the lock reader, and the phone does not need to be unlocked. Unlock on Approach can unlock a door automatically when the phone detects its owner approaching, but users must first turn the option on in Google Wallet.
Google says a single Wallet key can work with multiple compatible locks. People linked to the same Google Home account can also add their own keys to their personal Wallets. That makes the feature usable across a household without relying on one person’s phone, provided each person and the locks meet the requirements.
Support is limited at launch. Google’s announcement lists the Aqara U400, Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC as compatible locks, with more expected. The Schlage model supports NFC at launch, while Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support is to follow. Google says users also need a Matter-enabled Google Hub with a Thread border router, such as the second-generation Nest Hub.
Phone-Based Access Comes to Google Wallet
Adding keys to Wallet gives Android users another way to enter a home without carrying a physical key or opening a separate lock-control app. Tap access does not require an unlocked phone, which can make entry quicker, while the approach-based option offers hands-free access for people with supported hardware.
The practical reach of the announcement is narrower than the Wallet feature itself may suggest. Users need a compatible lock, an appropriate Google Home hub and a supported phone; hands-free unlocking has the additional requirement of UWB compatibility. Those hardware limits mean availability will vary from household to household even as the software rolls out.
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Aliro Links Phones and Smart Locks
The new Google Home capabilities are built on Aliro, an open standard intended to let smartphones communicate with smart locks. The standard provides the basis for the digital key feature, but compatible hardware remains limited according to the announcement.
Google Home already offered some lock-unlocking functionality. The Wallet addition lets users use NFC and, where supported, UWB in their phones for entry. Digital home keys have also been available to users of Apple and Samsung devices, according to the source report; Google’s announcement brings a comparable option into its Wallet ecosystem.
Google has not given a specific calendar date for full availability. Its stated timing is a rollout to everyone “over the coming weeks”, following the current public preview.
““over the coming weeks””
Compatibility and Watch Support Remain Open
Google has not identified when the public preview will end or when every eligible user will receive the feature. It also has not named a release schedule for additional Aliro-compatible locks. The current supported list is limited to three models, and the Schlage Sense Pro’s UWB support is still to come.
Wear OS watches are not supported at launch, according to Google. The wording leaves the possibility of later support open, but Google has not confirmed that it will arrive or provided timing. The announcement also does not establish how broadly Unlock on Approach will work across Android phones beyond the stated UWB requirement.
Rollout and Lock Support to Expand
Google says it plans to expand access from the current public preview to everyone over the coming weeks. Users will need to check whether their lock, Google Home hub and Android phone meet the requirements before expecting Wallet-based entry to work.
The next practical developments to watch are additions to Google’s supported-lock list, UWB support for the Schlage Sense Pro, and any clarification about Wear OS. Google has not announced dates for those changes, so the feature’s reach will depend on future hardware and software updates.
Key Questions
How do Google Wallet home keys unlock a door?
With Tap to Unlock, hold the back of an NFC-enabled Android phone near a compatible lock reader. The phone does not need to be unlocked. Supported phones can also use Unlock on Approach after the option is enabled in Wallet.
Which smart locks currently support Google Wallet home keys?
Google lists the Aqara U400, Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC. Google says more locks are coming, but has not named further models or dates.
What else do I need to use the feature?
Users need a compatible lock and a Matter-enabled Google Hub with a Thread border router, such as the second-generation Nest Hub. Tap access requires an NFC-enabled phone running Android 9 or later; hands-free unlocking requires an Aliro UWB-compatible Android phone.
Can a Wear OS watch unlock the door?
Wear OS watches are not supported at launch, according to Google. The company has not confirmed whether or when watch support will be added.
When will Google Wallet home keys 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, without giving a specific date.
Source: theverge.com
