Share a digital car key

Important:

The person that you want to share a key with must have a compatible Android or iOS phone. Compatible devices include Pixel 6 or higher, Samsung Galaxy S21 or higher, or other selected devices that run Android 12 or higher. Learn how to set up or manage a digital car key.
Available key sharing options vary by car model.

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

Open the Google Wallet app .
Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
Select the key that you want to share.
Review your key settings.
- Tip: Available settings vary by car model.
- Key type:
  - Guest: Allows you to choose the access level and expiry (if supported) and control whether the recipient can reshare access.
  - Co-owner: Grants full access to drive, manage and share keys, as well as to add other co-owners, guests or service providers.
  - Service: Grants limited access for mechanics or valets and restricts the recipient from sharing the key with others.
- Access level (guest key only):
  - No restrictions: Grants lock, unlock and full driving capabilities.
  - Restricted driving: May limit certain features like top speed or acceleration. Check your car manufacturer's website for more information.
  - Access only: Grants access to unlock the car, but not driving capabilities.
- Key expiry: Toggle on or off.
Select Choose recipient.
Name the shared key.
In your selected app, share the key's link with your trusted contact.

Set up a shared key

Important: Available sharing options vary by car and will automatically display in your trusted contact's wallet app.

To help your trusted contact set up a shared key, have them tap the URL that was shared with them and follow any on-screen instructions. They may need to activate their shared key with a code, a physical key or your digital key.

Activate with a code

If you are shown an activation code during the sharing process, share it with your trusted contact.
Have your trusted contact enter the code on either the car screen or their device's wallet app, depending on the car model.

Activate with a physical key

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

Have your trusted contact start the car with their digital key while the physical key is in the car.
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:

The trusted contact starts the car with their digital key while your digital key is also in the car.
Have them follow any on-screen instructions.

Remove a shared key

Open the Google Wallet app .
Tap your digital car key. You may need to swipe to find it.
Tap Manage shared keys.
Tap the user that you want to manage.
Tap Remove user at the bottom of the screen.
- Some cars don't remove the shared key until certain conditions are met, such as another physical or digital key being used with the car.
- If you want to remove a user immediately, some cars can remove the key from the car screen.
- It may take some time to complete. You'll be notified when access is revoked.

Transfer a digital car key to a new device

Important: Only selected cars support key transfer between devices. To transfer a digital car key, you must have both devices with you and be signed in to the same Google Account.

To transfer a digital car key

Open the Google Wallet app .
Select the digital car key that you want to transfer.
Tap Your devices Add a new device.
Use the camera on your new phone to scan the QR code.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

Tip: You may also receive a notification to restore the key when you set up a new device.

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 activate your key.
- When you use it for the first time on selected cars, you may need to enter an activation code on the car screen from the digital car key menu 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.