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 select vehicles in select 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 up Digital Key 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 âdigital car keyâ and follow the instructions.
- On the welcome screen, sign in with your Google Account.
- Review the Terms of Service.
- Tap Agree & continue.
Tip: You can edit the car key name now, but this name canât be changed later. By default, itâs [your name] + [phone model]. For example, âErikâs Pixel 6 Pro.â - 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 donât 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 itâs the first time you add a key to your device, youâre prompted to update your device before you start pairing.
- Tip: If you unpair your phone or remove your digital key, youâll need to pair your car with an email link again, and youâll need a new email and link. If the email you received doesnât have the âAdd to Androidâ link, contact your car manufacturer for help.
- On the welcome screen, sign in with your Google Account.
- Review the Terms of Service.
- Tap Agree & continue.
- Tip: You can edit the car key name now, but this name canât be changed later. By default, itâs [your name] + [phone model]. For example, âErikâs Pixel 6 Pro.â
- 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 donât have the Google Wallet app, youâre prompted to download it. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- On the car head unit, select the digital car key setup. Check your ownerâs manual or with your manufacturer for help if you canât 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 itâs the first time you add a key to your device, youâre 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 & continue.
- Enter your activation code.
- You can edit the car key name now, but this name canât be changed later. By default, itâs [user name] + [phone model]. For example, âErikâs Pixel 6 Pro.â
- 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 donât have the Google Wallet app, youâre 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 & 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 donât have to hold your device near the door handle to use your car key. Your device will automatically unlock your car doors when youâre near, start your car when youâre 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 deviceâs manufacturer for compatibility.
- On some devices, you can only use passive entry on one car.
- Ensure your vehicle has the most up to date software.
- If passive entry doesnât work, you can tap your device to the carâs 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 doesnât 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 donât want to require screen lock to use your car key, tap Off.
- Tap Save.
Use remote commands for lock, alarm & open trunk
On supported vehicles, you can lock and unlock your car, turn on your alarm, and use your power trunk 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 to 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 doesnât require your screen to be unlocked to use it. The key can be used for a few hours after your phone battery is drained. If you choose to require a screen lock, your key wonât work if your phone doesnât 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 itâs you, tap Confirm. Youâll get a notification that the key is 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 carâs screen.
- On your previous phone, delete your digital key.
- Pair your new phone to your car.