Google Wallet Now Opens Your Front Door as You Walk Up

What Google Wallet home keys actually do

The short version: your Android phone becomes a house key. With a compatible lock, you can tap to open over NFC, or — if the lock supports ultrawideband — simply walk up and the door opens.

The approach feature is the headline. UWB lets the lock sense that you're coming toward the door, judge your speed and trajectory, and open it just before you reach it. It also knows the difference between someone approaching and someone merely walking past, so the door doesn't pop open every time a neighbor strolls by.

CNET's testing of the Schlage Sense Pro found the experience genuinely hands-free: no tapping, no waving the phone around. That's the same trick Apple has offered with Home Keys in Apple Wallet, and it's the bar Google is now clearing.

Even without UWB, Google says home keys will support NFC tap-to-open, work across multiple locks, and sync across your compatible devices. Setup happens during lock pairing in the Google Home app and takes seconds.

Google Wallet home keys: requirements and supported locks

Which smart locks work with Google Wallet home keys?

The list is short but growing. Aliro was only officially released in early 2026, so broad adoption will take time.

The three locks CNET names as compatible with UWB and unlock-on-approach are the Schlage Sense Pro at $394.98, the Aqara U400 at $269.99, and the European Nuki Keypad 2 NFC lock at $179. More are on the way, according to lock makers.

That price spread matters. The Nuki comes in under $200, while the Schlage sits near $400 — roughly the cost of a mid-range phone. If you're buying a lock specifically for this feature, check the spec sheet for Aliro and UWB support before you pay.

The catch: your phone isn't the only thing you need

Finding a compatible lock is only half the battle. Google's requirements are stricter than you might expect.

You'll need an NFC-enabled Android phone running Android 9 or later — a Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel Fold qualifies. Then you need a Matter-enabled Google Hub with a Thread Border Router, which is usually a separate device like a Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro system, or Google TV Streamer.

That's a lot of hardware for a feature that's supposed to feel invisible. It also means the experience is best for people already inside Google's smart-home ecosystem, not for someone who just bought one lock.

There's a guest problem, too. Unlike Apple's temporary passes, Google says visitors will need passcodes rather than their own digital keys. And if you lose your phone, you're relying on a keypad code — which is awkward on locks like the Schlage Sense Pro that skip a physical key slot entirely to reduce lockpicking risk.

What it means for you

If you're in the US, the Schlage Sense Pro and Aqara U400 are the most likely picks, and both are widely sold. The Nuki Keypad 2 is a European brand and its availability in the US is limited, so check regional stock before ordering.

Google hasn't said when the Public Preview ends or when home keys will reach all Android users. For now, the feature is real but early — and the hardware requirements mean most people will wait for a cheaper, simpler hub setup.

Google Wallet home keys are a genuine step forward for Android smart homes, but they're arriving as a preview with a hardware shopping list attached. If you already own a Nest Hub and a recent Pixel, it's worth trying. If not, the smarter move is to wait for cheaper Aliro locks and broader hub support.