Samsung launches new Digital Key that can unlock and start your car with your phone

Samsung has launched a Digital Key feature for Samsung Wallet that will enable your Galaxy smartphone to be used to lock and unlock your car.

Samsung will launch the feature with BMW vehicles with Australian drivers able to lock and unlock the car and start the engine.

The Samsung Digital Key will also make it possible to share the key with other drivers through their Samsung smartphone.

Available now in the Samsung Wallet, Digital Key utilises NFC (near field communication) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) capabilities.

With the Digital Key onboard the Samsung Wallet, users just need to walk up to the car and won’t need to take their phone out of their pocket.

Once inside the vehicle, users simply place their smartphone on the wireless charging pad to start the engine when the Digital Key is recognised and authenticated.

Users need to be running Android 13 or later on compatible Galaxy devices (see table below).

“The Samsung Wallet Digital Key solution helps simplify the everyday experience for our customers and provides them with convenience and peace of mind through a central and secure hub within their smartphones,” said Garry McGregor, Vice President of Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electronics Australia.

“Our launch partnership with BMW allows Australians to use their Galaxy devices to seamlessly unlock car doors, start their engines and even share their Digital Keys, thereby offering our customers greater flexibility and convenience. We look forward to working with more car manufacturers in the future and onboarding them onto Samsung Wallet Digital Key.”

Eligible smartphones must run the latest Android S(13) OS or higher software.

Compatible Samsung devices include:

– Galaxy S20 series: all models apart from S20FE

– Note 20 series: Note 20, Note 20 Ultra

– Galaxy S21 series: S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S21 FE

– Galaxy S22 series: S22, S22+, S22 Ultra

– Galaxy S23 series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra

– Galaxy Z-Flip: Z-Flip 5G, Z-Flip3, Z-Flip4,

– Galaxy Z-Fold: Z-Fold2, Z-Fold3, Z-Fold4