// THE VERGE — MOBILE & WEB
Google Wallet can finally unlock doors with digital home keys
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Android users can add digital keys for compatible smart locks in Google Home to their Wallet app.
Android users can add digital keys for compatible smart locks in Google Home to their Wallet app.
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Google has added digital home key support to Google Wallet, allowing Android users to open smart locks by tapping their phone against them or simply approaching. The feature is currently available in public preview for the Google Home app, and will roll out to everyone “over the coming weeks,” according to Google’s announcement.
This was a long time coming, given Samsung and Apple users have had this convenience for a while now. While Google Home already has some unlocking functionality, this update allows users to leverage the Near Field Communication (NFC) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tech in their phones with compatible smart locks. Multiple locks can be controlled via Google Wallet using a single digital home key. All household members linked to the same Google Home account can also add their own key to their personal Google Wallet.
Tap to Unlock works by holding the back of an NFC-enabled Android phone near the lock reader, and doesn’t require the phone to be unlocked. Unlock on Approach needs to be manually enabled in Google Wallet, but can automatically unlock a door when it detects the user walking up.