Your phone just turned into a car key.
At the Google I/O virtual event Tuesday, the company announced a digital car key as part of Android 12. The digital car keys will lock, unlock, and start the car from select Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones.
Starting later this year, this feature will be available in new BMW models. Google is hoping to bring the experience to other carmakers eventually.
That’s your car key.
Image: google
For cars with NFC tags built into the doors, you can tap the phone to unlock. For other cars with ultra-wideband (UWB) communication you just need to have the phone nearby and it’ll work.
Apple announced the same phone-as-a-car-key feature last year — also for new BMW vehicles.
Like Apple’s Car Key, the digital key is easier to share than physical keys. You can let someone borrow “the keys” through their phone.
In other car-related announcements, Google expanded the number of cars that support Android Auto through a wireless connection. That means you can ditch the USB cable to connect your Android to the car. Google named General Motors, Ford, and Honda as some of the big car brands switching to a wireless connection.
All the car brands adding a wireless connection for Android Auto.
Image: google
Apple CarPlay, the Android Auto equivalent, only works wirelessly on a select number of generally expensive vehicles. For most car connections you need to plug in the phone.
The Google interface will be front and center for the new GMC Hummer EV supertruck and in the BMW iX. The electric Hummer will have Google Assistant built in and the electric BMW will feature Google Maps on the screen behind the steering wheel.