MobileNov 12, 2026, 8:26 PM UTC·2 min read

Google Wallet home keys: unlock your front door with Android

Google Wallet on Android can now open your front door. A digital home key works over NFC or UWB, but only three smart locks support it at launch.

A person holding an Android phone against a smart door lock to unlock their front door. — Image: 01net.com

If you are tired of digging through your bag for keys, Google Wallet on Android now has an answer. It can store a digital home key and use your phone to open a compatible smart lock, using NFC and UWB (ultra-wideband, a radio technology that lets the lock sense your phone nearby).

There is a catch: the hardware list is short. The locks need to be Matter-compatible and support the new open standard Aliro. At launch, only three models qualify. The Aqara U400 handles both NFC and UWB. The Schlage Sense Pro is NFC only for now, with a promised update for UWB. The Nuki Keypad 2 NFC does NFC and nothing else.

What phone and gear do you need for Google Wallet home keys?

For a tap-to-unlock with NFC, any Android 9 or newer phone with an NFC chip will do. Hands-free unlocking over UWB needs a compatible phone, such as the Pixel 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold, or certain Samsung Galaxy models. You also need a Google hub that supports Matter or acts as a Thread router. The Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro and Google TV Streamer all qualify.

One key in Google Wallet covers every compatible lock in the same home. It is tied to the home you set up in the Google Home app, not to a single device.

Is it safe to walk past your door?

Google has built in a few brakes. Contactless unlocking requires that the phone was unlocked within the previous few hours. Hands-free UWB mode is off by default, so the door will not pop open just because you walk by. When you add a compatible lock, Google Home suggests setting up the key automatically, though you can also do it by hand in the app settings.

For now, the feature is limited to testers of the public preview of Google Home. It should reach everyone in the coming weeks. If you are in the preview, go to the Google Wallet app, then Home app settings > Google Wallet key.

Apps worth a look

SUMO: the number puzzle

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giftdetect: the right gift in minutes

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Tags:google walletandroidsmart lockmatteralirogoogle home