Unlocking Your Ride: The Smart Way to Use Your Android Watch as a Car Key

Ever thought about using your Android smartwatch to unlock and start your car? It's not just a cool trick; it's a practical solution for those who often misplace their key fobs. With the right setup, your smartwatch can do everything a traditional key fob does. This includes unlocking the car, starting the engine, and managing other controls. Plus, you can share access with family or friends, and revoke it just as easily if needed. Both Apple and Google support this feature on their devices. To get started, you need a compatible car, an Android phone, and an Android smartwatch. The process is similar for both ecosystems. First, ensure your car and devices support digital car keys. Then, pair your phone with the car. The digital key will be stored in your phone's wallet app. Smartwatches usually work with smartphones, so your phone will be the main device paired with your car. Once that's done, you can transfer the digital key to your smartwatch. Google explains that if you're wearing your watch during the setup, it will prompt you to add the car key. Alternatively, you can add it later using the "add to watch" prompt in Google Wallet.The digital car key is stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. This makes it more secure than traditional key fobs, which are vulnerable to relay attacks. Even if your device's battery dies, you can still unlock and start your car. However, not all cars and devices support this feature. Google lists compatible car brands and devices on its website. Before you get excited, check if your car and devices are on the list. Compatible car brands include Audi, BMW, Hyundai, and more. For smartwatches, Google currently only supports its Pixel brand. Other Android phone brands like Oppo, Xiaomi, Motorola, and OnePlus also support digital car keys. Samsung has a dedicated support page for its Galaxy devices, but it doesn't list compatible Galaxy Watch models. In conclusion, using your Android smartwatch as a car key is a convenient and secure option. However, it's not universally supported yet. If you have the right hardware, it's definitely worth trying out. Just remember to check compatibility before you start.