Set up or manage a digital car key

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+
• Samsung Galaxy S21+
• 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

1. To set up your account, open the car manufacturer app.
2. To pair your car to the account, find “digital car key” and follow the instructions.
3. On the welcome screen, sign in with your Google Account.
4. Review the Terms of Service.
5. Tap Agree & continue.
   Tip: You can edit the 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.”
6. Place your phone on your car key reader and wait for your phone and car to pair.
7. 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.

Use an email link from your car manufacturer

1. On your phone, open the digital car key email from your car manufacturer.
2. In the email, tap Add to Android. If it’s the first time you add a key to your device, you’re prompted to update your device before you start pairing.
3. 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 you received doesn’t have the “Add to Android” link, contact your car manufacturer for help.
4. On the welcome screen, sign in with your Google Account.
5. Review the Terms of Service.
6. Tap Agree & continue.
7. Tip: You can edit the 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.”
8. Place your phone on your car key reader and wait for your phone and car to pair.
9. Once pairing is complete, your digital key is added to Google Wallet.
10. If you don’t have the Google Wallet app, you’re prompted to download it. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Use the car console

Important: This option is only available on some vehicles. Check with your car manufacturer for more info.

1. On the car console, select the digital 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.
2. Place your phone on the car key reader.
3. On the car console, follow the on-screen instructions. If it’s the first time you add a key to your device, you’re prompted to update your device before you start pairing.
4. Once the update is complete, tap Set up your digital key.
5. On the welcome screen, sign in to your Google Account.
6. Review the Terms of Service.
7. Tap Agree & continue.
8. Enter your activation code.
9. You can edit the 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.”
10. Place your phone on your car key reader and wait for your phone and car to pair.
11. Once pairing is complete, your digital key is added to Google Wallet.
    • If you don’t have the Google Wallet app, you’re 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 phone near the door handle of your car.

Start your car

1. Inside the car, place your phone on the car key reader.
2. Press the car start button.

Manage your digital car key

Add or change the screen lock settings for your digital car key

Important: 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 is drained. If you choose to require a screen lock, your key won’t work if your phone doesn’t have battery life.

1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
3. At the bottom, tap Details Require phone unlock.
4. 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.
5. Tap Save.

Set up a shortcut to your digital car key

To access your digital car key from your phone home screen:

1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
3. Tap More Add to Home screen.

Delete a digital car key

1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
3. Tap More Delete Key Delete.
4. To verify it’s you, tap Confirm. You’ll get a notification that the key is deleted.

Transfer a digital car key to a new phone

1. On your previous phone, delete your digital key.
2. Pair your new phone to your car.

Related resources

• Troubleshoot digital car key setup
• Learn what Google shares with your car & phone manufacturers