Samsung Digital Car Key: What It Is, Which Phones Support It, and How to Set It Up
What is the essential answer?
Samsung Digital Car Key is a feature in Samsung Wallet that lets a compatible Galaxy phone act as a car key using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or Near Field Communication (NFC). The scope is limited to specific Galaxy models, car brands, and markets. It does not work with every vehicle that has keyless entry, and not every Samsung phone can use it. When supported, you can lock, unlock, and start the car by tapping the phone on the door handle or placing it on the wireless charging pad. UWB-enabled phones can also perform passive entry, meaning the car unlocks as you approach without taking the phone out of a pocket.
Which Samsung phones support Digital Car Key?
Support is split between UWB and NFC. UWB gives the full passive-entry experience, while NFC requires a deliberate tap. The list below reflects documented Samsung Wallet support, but availability can vary by region and carrier.
UWB and NFC: Galaxy S21+, S21 Ultra, S22+, S22 Ultra, S23+, S23 Ultra, S24+, S24 Ultra, Z Fold 3 and later, Note 20 Ultra. NFC only: Galaxy S20 series, S21, S22, S23, S24 (non-Plus and non-Ultra models), Galaxy A series with NFC where the feature is enabled.
Older phones with NFC may still run Samsung Wallet, but Digital Car Key is not automatically available. The phone must have Secure Element hardware and current Samsung Wallet firmware.
Which car brands are compatible?
Samsung Digital Car Key does not cover all manufacturers. Documented compatible brands as of early 2025 include BMW, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, and select Audi models. Each brand applies its own limits. For example, BMW supports Digital Key on many models from 2021 onward, while Hyundai and Kia support it mainly on newer EV and upper-trim vehicles. Genesis has offered it on models like the GV60 and G90. Audi support is narrower and often tied to specific model years and packages.
A material qualification is that the car must be equipped with the manufacturer's digital key hardware option. A vehicle with push-button start and phone-as-key branding is not automatically compatible with Samsung Wallet unless the manufacturer explicitly lists Samsung Digital Car Key support.
How to set up Samsung Digital Car Key
Setup generally requires the car's physical key fob inside the vehicle and the phone connected to the car via the manufacturer's app or on-screen prompt. The process varies by brand, but the typical flow is:
Open Samsung Wallet on the compatible Galaxy phone. Select the Digital Car Key option or follow a prompt from the car's infotainment screen or brand app. Place the phone on the vehicle's wireless charging pad when instructed. Confirm pairing using the car's touchscreen and the phone's authentication method. Wait for the key to appear in Samsung Wallet.
After setup, NFC-only phones are used by tapping the back of the phone on the driver's door handle. UWB phones can also be set for passive entry, where the car unlocks when the phone is nearby. Starting the car requires placing the phone on the wireless charging pad or designated NFC reader.
Sharing a digital key
Samsung Wallet lets you share a Digital Car Key with other Samsung users through the share sheet. Shared keys can be restricted to unlock only, or they can include driving permission depending on the vehicle brand's implementation. The recipient must have a compatible phone and Samsung Wallet. Some brands require the recipient to accept the key through the brand's own app. The owner can revoke a shared key at any time from Samsung Wallet, provided the phone has network access.
What happens if the phone battery dies?
Samsung Digital Car Key uses a reserved-power NFC mode on supported Galaxy phones. This means the phone can still unlock the car via NFC for a limited time after the main battery is depleted, as long as the phone has not been manually powered off and the reserved charge has not been exhausted. UWB passive entry stops working when the battery is low. This fallback is not infinite; after extended time with a dead battery, the NFC reserve can expire.
Limitations and practical notes
Not available on all Samsung phones or in all countries. Requires a compatible car with the manufacturer-specific digital key package. UWB passive entry range varies by vehicle and can be affected by phone case materials. Deleting Samsung Wallet data or factory resetting the phone removes stored digital keys. A physical fob or card remains the most reliable backup if the phone is lost or damaged.
Samsung Digital Car Key is best treated as a convenience feature for people who already carry a compatible Galaxy phone and drive a supported vehicle. It does not replace the need to understand the car manufacturer's own digital key app, and some functions, such as remote climate control, remain inside the brand app rather than Samsung Wallet.