Google Wallet Now Stores Home Keys for Aliro Smart Locks on Android, With Unlock on Approach for Pixel 10 Pro

Google now lets Android users add a digital home key from Google Home to Google Wallet. With the key in Wallet, users can tap the back of their phone against a compatible smart lock to open the door. Google Wallet already stores payment cards, digital IDs, and car keys.

The feature is rolling out first to users in the Google Home Public Preview program, and Google says it will reach everyone in the coming weeks. It is off by default for security reasons.

What Google Wallet Home Keys Require

Home keys in Wallet use Aliro, a new open access standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance. Google lists three Aliro locks as compatible at launch:

• Aqara U400, with UWB and NFC
• Schlage Sense Pro, with NFC at launch and UWB to follow
• Nuki Keypad 2 NFC

Users also need an Android phone and a Matter enabled Google hub that works as a Thread border router. When one of the supported locks is set up, the Google Home app prompts the user to add the key to Google Wallet.

The key belongs to the home in the Google Home app, not to a single lock, so one key in Wallet opens every compatible Aliro lock in the house. Other members of the Google Home household can add the key to their own Wallet, and the key syncs across Android phones signed in to the same Google account.

Unlock on Approach and Security Settings

Wallet adds a new unlock on approach option that opens the door automatically as the user walks up to it. It requires an Aliro lock with Ultra Wideband and a supported phone, and Google lists the Pixel 10 Pro and later models as compatible. Wear OS watches do not support the feature for now.

Tap to unlock works even when the phone is locked and its screen is off, as long as the phone was unlocked within the last few hours. Users who want more control can change this:

1. Open the Google Wallet app and select the home key.
2. Open the home key settings.
3. Turn on Required device unlock, so the phone must be unlocked before it opens the door.

Unlocking smart locks linked to Google Home by tapping a phone was already possible before this update. The Wallet integration adds the Aliro standard, which works across lock brands, and the unlock on approach option for UWB locks.

Google has not said when watch support or more Aliro locks will be added.