Share a digital car key

You can choose to share your digital car key with people you trust.

Share a key

Important: The person you want to share a key with must have a compatible Android phone. Compatible devices include the Pixel 6+, Samsung Galaxy S21+, or other select devices that run Android 12 or above. Learn how to set up or manage a digital car key.

To get the shared key to work for the first time, your trusted person might have to activate it with a physical key or an activation code. On some vehicles, you may need to use the digital key menu on the car screen to start activation.

To share a key

1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
3. Tap Share car key.
4. Select a user or app to share your key with.
5. Name the shared key.
   • The name of your shared key can’t be changed.
6. Before you share your car key, review your key settings.
7. In your selected app, share the key’s link with your trusted contact.
   • Key setup may take some time. When the key is ready to use, your trusted contact will be notified.
   • Make sure that your trusted contact is signed in to the Google Wallet app.
   • To activate the key, your trusted contact will follow on-screen instructions.

Tip: Some cars let you set up shared key settings like restricted driving.

Activate a shared key

You can activate and receive a shared key with a code, a physical key, or a digital key.

Activate with a code

1. If you get an activation code through another app, share it with your trusted contact.

2. Have your trusted contact enter the code on either their car screen or in their device’s wallet app.

Activate with a physical key

Important: To activate your digital key with a physical key, your trusted contact must bring a key fob to the car.

1. Your trusted person starts the car with your digital key while the physical key is in the car.
2. To activate the shared digital key, your trusted contact should follow the instructions on the car screen.

Activate with a digital key

Depending on the car, your trusted contact can also activate a shared key with your digital key:

1. The trusted contact starts the car with the digital key.
2. They follow any on-screen instructions.

Delete a shared key

1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
3. Remove the shared key.
   • It may take some time to complete. You're notified when access is revoked.
   • Some cars don’t delete the shared key until certain conditions are met, such as another physical or digital key being used with the car.
   • If you want to delete a shared key immediately, some cars can delete the key from the car screen.

Tip: You can also manage keys from the car screen.

Troubleshoot key sharing

• Make sure that the key is open on a supported device.
• You must be connected to the internet.

The key won’t open or start the car

• On some vehicles, you can check the settings on your car screen to make sure that your key is active.
• Make sure that you activated your key. When you use it for the first time, you must enter an activation code on the car screen, or have the owner’s key fob with you.
• Make sure that the key is ready to use. Check the key in your wallet app. If it says “Your car key isn’t ready yet. You’ll get a notification when it’s ready,” it’s not ready yet.

Related resources

• Set up or manage a digital car key
• Troubleshoot digital car key setup