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What you need to know
- Google is adding the ability to create digital home keys to your Google Wallet app via Google Home
- The feature requires compatible smart home hardware and is currently available as part of Public Preview for the Google Home app
- It will roll out more widely in the coming weeks
Chances are your Google Wallet app already has your payment cards on file, but would you trust it with your house keys?
Google is set to roll out an update that will allow you to add digital home keys to Google Wallet from the Google Home app, provided you’re using a compatible smart lock. Once set up, you can unlock the smart lock by simply tapping your phone on its NFC reader, or have it unlock automatically as you approach.
The latter relies on the Aliro Ultra-Wideband open access standard, which is maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance but was partially developed by Google.
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Rather than having to individually link each lock in your home, the official Google support page states that you will only need one key to unlock everything because the digital key is linked to your Google Home app rather than a specific bit of hardware.
The key will also be automatically synced across all your compatible Android phones, so you won’t need to worry about being permanently locked out of your house if you happen to lose the one in your pocket.
Members of your household with the Google Home app can add the digital home key to their own personal Google Wallets, too.
The update is currently available as part of Public Preview for the Google Home app, but will roll out to more users in the coming weeks.
In addition to the compatible smart home hardware (which includes a Matter-certified smart lock with Aliro support and a Matter-enabled Google hub device), you’ll need a mobile phone running Android 9 or later.
Interestingly, Wear OS smartwatches are not supported for now, but I expect this to change in the coming months.