Unlock and start your car with Google Pixel Watch

You can use your Pixel Watch 3 to lock, unlock, or start your car by using it as a virtual key. Pixel Watch securely stores your car’s access information.

Important: The feature is only available Google Pixel Watch 3 when used with a compatible Pixel phone (Pixel 6 or later) that supports Digital Car Key. This feature is currently only available to compatible BMW and Mini vehicles.

Add key to your watch

To use your Pixel Watch as a car key, you'll need to pair your phone to your car first. Refer to Set up or manage a digital car key for detailed instructions.

 

• If you already have a watch paired to your phone when you set up the car key on your phone, you may be automatically prompted to add the key to your watch. 
• If you already have a car key on your phone when you go through initial setup with the watch, you may be prompted to add the car key to the watch during watch setup. 
• There is an add to watch prompt in digital car key settings in Google Wallet if you have a paired, compatible Pixel watch

1. On your phone, open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap the car key to see key details.
3. Tap Add key to watch Add key.

Note:  Make sure that your pixel watch is on your wrist and in range of the phone during setup

4. A prompt to continue the progress on your Pixel Watch will appear.
5. Once your key is linked to your watch, you'll see a "connected" status in the "Add key to watch" tile.

Important: 

• You may receive an activation code on your phone that you may need to input on your car's screen to start your car with your watch for the first time. Note that this activation code can also be found in watch settings in Google Wallet on your phone.
• You may also be able to activate your key by having your physical or digital phone key in the car the first time that you try to start your car with your watch digital car key.

 Manage Watch key settings

Turn off Passive entry settings

Passive entry is on by default when you set up your digital car key. To turn off:

1. On your phone, open the Google Wallet app .
2. Select your digital car key.
3. Tap your watch in Key Settings.

Toggle on or off Passive entry to automatically unlock your car when your device is nearby

Important:

• Passive entry won't work when Battery Saver or Bedtime mode is on.
• When passive entry is turned off and your watch’s battery has died, you’ll no longer be able to use your watch’s car key. 

Remove key from your watch

From the watch face

1. Press the watch crown once to open your list of apps.
2. Scroll down and tap Google Wallet .
3. Tap your car key Remove key.

From the Google Wallet app

1. On your phone, open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap your car key.
3. Tap Your watch.
4. Tap Delete key from watch.

From your car screen

Your car screen may provide the option to remove your key from your watch.

Make default car key

This option makes your selected car key the default. Only the default key supports passive entry. Non-default keys can still be used, but you'll need to hold them close to the car's reader. 

Note: Default car key option is only available when 2 or more keys that support passive entry are added to the phone.  You can change your car's default key settings through your phone.

From the Google Wallet app

1. On your phone, open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap your car key.
3. Tap Default car key.