How Home Keys Work with Apple Wallet on iOS 15

Apple introduced the Home Key feature in iOS 15, allowing users to unlock compatible smart door locks simply by tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch. This article explains how the Apple Home app integrates with Apple Wallet to configure, secure, and manage digital NFC keys, covering initial setup, access modes, security protocols, and shared guest permissions.

Pairing and Automatic Wallet Provisioning

The integration between the Home app and Apple Wallet is automatic. When you add a compatible smart lock—such as one certified for Apple HomeKit with Home Key support—to your setup using the Home app, the system prompts you to add a digital key to Apple Wallet.

Once confirmed:

  1. The Home app communicates with the lock using HomeKit protocols.
  2. iOS generates a unique, encrypted digital credential in the device's Secure Enclave.
  3. The credential is saved directly into the Apple Wallet app alongside payment cards and transit passes.
  4. If you have an Apple Watch paired with your iPhone, the Home Key automatically syncs to the Wallet on your watch as well.

Unlocking Modes: Express Mode vs. Standard Mode

During the setup process in the Home app, you can choose between two operational modes for your Home Key:

  • Express Mode (Default): Allows you to unlock your door by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock's NFC reader. You do not need to wake or unlock your device, nor do you need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
  • Standard Mode: Requires biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) or a passcode each time you present your device to the lock, offering an added layer of physical security.

You can toggle between these modes at any time inside the Apple Wallet app by selecting the lock's card and opening its card details.

Power Reserve Functionality

On iPhone XS and later running iOS 15, Home Keys take advantage of Apple's Power Reserve feature. If your iPhone battery dies, the NFC controller and Secure Enclave remain active for up to five hours. This allows you to tap your dead iPhone against your door lock and still gain entry without needing an active battery charge.

Managing Access and Sharing Keys

All access control is managed directly inside the Home app, which coordinates with Wallet:

  • Resident Users: Anyone invited to your home via the Home app with resident access automatically receives their own Home Key in their personal Apple Wallet, provided their devices run iOS 15 or later.
  • Access Schedules and Revocation: The primary homeowner can manage permissions, set specific schedules, or revoke access directly within the Home app settings. When a user's access is removed from the home, the corresponding digital key is immediately deactivated and deleted from their Apple Wallet.