You can lock, unlock and start your car from your Android phone with a digital car key.
Pair your phone to your car
Important: Digital car keys are only available for selected vehicles in selected markets.
- They work with:
- Pixel 6 and later, including Pixel Fold and Pixel 8 Pro.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 and later.
- Select Android devices that run Android 12 and up.
To set up a digital car key, you must be connected to the Internet. If you have a Samsung phone, you can set a digital key up in Samsung Wallet.
Use the car manufacturer app- To set up your account, open the car manufacturer app.
- To pair your car to the account, find 'digital car key' and follow the instructions.
- On the welcome screen, sign in with your Google Account.
- Review the Terms of Service.
- Tap Agree and continue.
Tip: You can edit the car key name now, but this name can't be changed later. By default, it's [your name] + [phone model]. For example, 'Erik's Pixel 6 Pro'. - Tap Start pairing and wait for your phone and car to pair.
- Once pairing is complete, your digital key is added to Google Wallet.
- If you don't have the Google Wallet app, follow the on-screen instructions to download it.
- On your phone, open the digital car key email from your car manufacturer.
- In the email, tap Add to Android. If it's the first time that you've added a key to your device, you'll be prompted to update your device before you start pairing.
- Tip: If you unpair your phone or remove your digital key, you'll need to pair your car with an email link again, and you'll need a new email and link. If the email that you received doesn't have the 'Add to Android' link, contact your car manufacturer for help.
- On the welcome screen, sign in with your Google Account.
- Review the Terms of Service.
- Tap Agree and continue.
- Tip: You can edit the car key name now, but this name can't be changed later. By default, it's [your name] + [phone model]. For example, 'Erik's Pixel 6 Pro'.
- Place your phone on your car key reader and wait for your phone and car to pair.
- Once pairing is complete, your digital key is added to Google Wallet.
- If you don't have the Google Wallet app, you'll be prompted to download it. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- On the car head unit, select the digital car key setup. Check your owner's manual or with your manufacturer for help if you can't find this option.
- If your phone screen is locked, enter your password.
- Place your phone on the car key reader.
- On the car head unit, follow the on-screen instructions. If it's the first time that you've added a key to your device, you'll be prompted to update your device before you start pairing.
- Once the update is complete, tap Set up your car key.
- On the welcome screen, sign in to your Google Account.
- Review the Terms of Service.
- Tap Agree and continue.
- Enter your activation code.
- You can edit the car key name now, but this name can't be changed later. By default, it's [user name] + [phone model]. For example, 'Erik's Pixel 6 Pro'.
- Place your phone on your car key reader and wait for your phone and car to pair.
- Once pairing is complete, your digital key is added to Google Wallet.
- If you don't have the Google Wallet app, you'll be prompted to download it. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tip: On your phone home screen, you can set up a shortcut for quick access to your digital key.
Lock, unlock and start your car with your digital car key
Important: If you set up a screen lock for your digital car key, enter your password.
Lock or unlock your car
Hold the back of your device near the door handle of your car.
Start your car
- Inside the car, place your device on the car key reader.
- Press the car start button.
Use passive entry
Passive entry is on by default when you set up your digital car key. With passive entry, you don't have to hold your device near the door handle to use your car key. Your device will automatically unlock your car doors when you're near, start your car when you're inside, and lock your car doors when you leave.
Important:
- Not all vehicles support passive entry. Contact your vehicle manufacturer for compatibility.
- Not all devices support passive entry. Check with your device's manufacturer for compatibility.
- On some devices, you can only use passive entry on one car.
- Ensure that your vehicle has the most up-to-date software.
- If passive entry doesn't work, you can tap your device to the car's door handle to unlock.
Turn off passive entry
Turn off on your phone- Open the Google Wallet app .
- Select your digital car key.
- Tap Details.
- Turn off Passive entry.
Add or change the screen lock settings for your digital car key
If you choose to require phone unlock to use your digital car key, you must first turn off passive entry.
Important: By default, your car key doesn't require your screen to be unlocked to use it.
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- Tap your car key. You may need to scroll to find it.
- Tap Details Require phone unlock.
- Choose the action that you want to use the screen lock for:
- Unlock car.
- Start car.
- Unlock, lock and start car.
- If you don't want to require screen lock to use your car key, tap Off.
- Tap Save.
Use remote commands for lock, alarm and open boot
On supported vehicles, you can lock and unlock your car, turn on your alarm and use your power boot from your Google Wallet or Quick Settings.
Important:
- Not all commands are available on all vehicles.
- Contact your vehicle manufacturer for compatibility.
- To use commands, you must be within Bluetooth range of the vehicle.
- In your Google Wallet app, at the top-right, tap More .
- Tap Add to Quick Settings Add tile.
- Hold the back of your phone near the door handle of your car.
- Place your phone on the key reader to start the engine.
Manage your digital car key
Add or change the screen lock settings for your digital car keyImportant: By default, your digital car key doesn't require your screen to be unlocked to use it. The key can be used for a few hours after your phone battery has been drained. If you choose to require a screen lock, your key won't work if your phone doesn't have battery life.
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
- At the bottom, tap Details Require phone unlock.
- Choose the action that you want to use the screen lock for:
- Unlock car
- Start car
- Unlock, lock and start car
- For no screen lock, tap Off.
- Tap Save.
To access your digital car key from your phone home screen:
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
- Tap More Add to home screen.
- Open the Google Wallet app .
- Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
- Tap More Delete key Delete.
- To verify that it's you, tap Confirm. You'll get a notification that the key has been deleted.
Important: To remotely delete or suspend a key, your phone must be on and connected to a network.
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove access to the key through Google Find My Device.
- To erase your phone and any paired keys remotely, tap Erase device.
- To suspend your key and lock your device remotely, tap Secure device.
- Delete a key even if your phone is offline. This process may not always be immediate.
- Delete the key from the car's screen.
- On your previous phone, delete your digital key.
- Pair your new phone to your car.