UWB stands for Ultra Wide Band and is used as a short-range wireless communication protocol used to track the location of objects. UWB calculates locations to within less than half an inch by measuring how long it takes for short radio pulses to be transmitted between one device and another. UWB was originally developed as a means of transmitting data, but its ability to track a very precise location has made it very useful for modern devices.
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One of the most widespread uses of UWB is Apple AirTags but the technology is gaining momentum. Another exciting application of UWB is unlocking cars and smart homes.
Both iOS and Android devices can use UWB. However, the list of phones that work with UWB is surprisingly short and consists of the following phones:
- Apple iPhone 11, 12, 13 and 14
- Google Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Note20, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Xiaomi MIX4
If you happen to have any of the phones above, you can use UWB to unlock your car and do other nifty things. Of course, not every car will work with UWB. For example, my Mini Cooper is too old and not supported. My wife’s car, on the other hand, works. The good news is that UWB is catching on and you should expect more cars and more devices to support the technology. And because UWB is so accurate at locating places, rest assured it will find even more use cases in the near future.
For example, eventually cars will be able to recognize your device if you get close enough to your phone and automatically unlock it for you. I would imagine this feature will put a damper on a lot of thriller movies and TV series where the villain kidnaps or attacks someone who is struggling to unlock their car.
The area of ​​UWB looks something like this:
- Range: 30-600 feet (10-200 meters)
- Accuracy: 0.1-0.5 m (0.33-1.64 ft)
Not only does UWB have a good range, it is also very accurate.
Although a small percentage of Android phones support UWB, you should know how to enable it (if your car supports the feature). Let me show you how it’s done.
requirements
To enable UWB, you need an Android device that supports the protocol. I will demonstrate this on mine Pixel 7 Pro with Android 13.
How to enable UWB on Android
The first thing you need to do is open the Settings app. To do this, open your app drawer and then find and tap on the Settings launcher.
In the Settings app, tap Connected Devices, then tap Connection Settings.
Access to the UWB feature is in the connection settings in Android 13. Image: Jack Wallen
At the bottom of the Connection Settings page you will see the UWB entry. Tap the ON/OFF slider until it is in the ON position to enable the feature.
Enabling UWB on a Pixel 7 Pro running Android 13. Image: Jack Wallen
At this point, UWB is now enabled. If your car supports the protocol, you should be able to set it up to unlock automatically when you approach the car. Note, however, that you will likely need to install an app for your car or set up this feature through your car’s system. The process for doing this varies from car to car, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to connect your phone and your car.
