Google Wallet can now hold the keys to your home

Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police Published Nov 12, 2026, 12:42 AM EST I've been writing about Android since 2011, with a focus on device reviews, Samsung and Google Pixel hardware, and the latest happenings in the ecosystem. In my entire writing career, I've reviewed more than 75 Android phones. Carrying both a Samsung or Pixel flagship and an iPhone as a daily driver provides me with deep insight into how Android works and how it compares to iOS. I have been writing for Android Police since 2021, covering news, how-tos, and features. You can find my previous work on Neowin, AndroidBeat, Times of India, iPhoneHacks, MySmartPrice, and MakeUseOf. When not working, I tend to mindlessly scroll through X, play with new AI models, or go on long road trips. You can reach out to me on X or drop a mail at rajesh@androidpolice.com. Sign in to your Android Police account Google Wallet can already hold your digital IDs, payment cards, and even the digital keys of your car. Now, you can add your digital home key from Google Home directly to Google Wallet on Android. This will ensure you can simply tap the back of your Android phone to quickly unlock your home's door. While this was already possible before as well, the Wallet integration brings two notable upgrades. The feature is rolling out to users currently enrolled in the Google Home Public Preview program, though Google says it will roll out to everyone in the coming weeks. So, if your smart lock is linked to Google Home and supports digital keys, you can add them directly to Google Wallet. Google says it has added home key support in Google Wallet on Aliro, a new open access standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). You could already unlock compatible smart locks linked to Google Home by tapping the back of your phone against them. This works even when your phone is locked and its screen is off, provided you've unlocked it within the last few hours. In case you are not comfortable with this, you can enable the Required device unlock option from the home key settings in the Google Wallet app. Walk up to your door and let Google Wallet do the rest So, what does the new Google Wallet integration bring to the table? There is a new unlock-on-approach option in the Google Wallet app, which, as the name suggests, automatically unlocks your smart door lock as you approach it. However, this feature requires an Aliro Ultra-Wideband (UWB)-compatible lock and an Android phone. Google lists the Pixel 10 Pro and later models as compatible with this feature. Wear OS watches don't support it for now. As for smart locks, Google lists three Aliro-supported locks as compatible at launch: Aqara u400 (UWB and NFC), Schlage Sense Pro (NFC at launch and UWB to follow) and Nuki Keypad 2 NFC. When setting up one of these locks, Google Home will automatically prompt you to add the key to your Google Wallet. Besides a compatible smart lock and Android phone, you also need a Matter-enabled Google Hub with Thread border router support. Lastly, for security reasons, this feature is turned off by default. If you have multiple smart locks, Google says your digital home key links to the home in the Google Home app, not a single lock. So each compatible Aliro lock will open with the single key in your Google Wallet. Other members in your Google Home household can also add the smart lock key to their personal Google Wallet on Android. Once added, the home key automatically syncs across compatible Android phones linked to the same Google account.