What is Digital Key

Last Update date : May 24. 2023

Digital Key uses your smartphone to perform the same functions as a car key. Unlock, lock, start your car and more from your smartphone with NFC/UWB(Ultra-Widband) technology.

View of Samsung Digital Key screens included in the Samsung Wallet.

Information is securely stored in your smartphone's integrated secure element and it is easy to select the key you want to use. To find out more how Digital Key works and its different uses, read on below.

Depending on the car brand, the devices that allow the use of the Digital Key may vary.

When using a BMW car

  • Digital Key can be used on mobile devices with the latest Android 13 OS or higher software installed: Galaxy S20 series (excluding S20 FE), Note20 series, S21 Series (including S21 FE), S22 Series, S23 Series, Z Flip5G, Z Flip3, Z Flip4, Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4 and above.
  • To use the new features (Share Key, UWB type) of Digital Key, please check if your device supports UWB technology (Settings > Connections > Ultra-wideband > Toggle on) and an update to the latest Android 13 OS or higher S/W and to the latest Digital Key application is required. 

 

According to Samsung security policy, a Digital Key can only be used on one smartphone. Transfer of information or duplication between devices is not possible. Please continue reading to find out more information.

Please note:

Ensure that you have the car manufacturer’s mobile application installed on your smartphone. Once installed, please follow these steps:

1 Register on the car manufacturer’s mobile application.
2 Register your car information in the car manufacturer’s mobile application.
3 Get in your car with the physical key and then follow the instructions on the car navigation menu.
4 Tap the “Digital Key registration menu” in the car manufacturer’s mobile application to add your car key to Samsung Wallet.
5 Follow the instructions on Samsung Wallet to register your car key.
Please note: If this is your first time using Samsung Wallet, you will be able to proceed after setting up your Samsung Wallet.

One of the features of Digital Key is to allow you to add your real car key onto Samsung Wallet for added convenience. It allows you to lock/ unlock your car door, start the car and share your digital car key with a friend.

After completing the registration for your car key with Digital Key, you can use the NFC / UWB feature on your smartphone to unlock or set the lock on the handle of the car door to open it.

When your car recognises your smartphone, depending on the car, the screen of your car may let you know if you can start the engine.

NFC Type

1 Tap the NFC antenna area of the smartphone. The car door will unlock or lock.
2 When the smartphone is placed on the car’s wireless charging pad and the digital key is authenticated, you can start the car using the start button.

Please note: To use this feature, the smartphone and vehicle must support the NFC feature.
If your car does not recognise your smartphone, try again after adjusting the placement or orientation of your smartphone on the wireless charging pad.

If you want to stop using your car key on Digital Key, follow these steps:

1 Select a registered Digital Key for your car.
2 Select more options icon (⁝) and tap on “Delete”. To complete this, fingerprint recognition is required.

A car key on Digital Key can only be shared by the car owner via Share Key function. Depending on the manufacturer of your car, share your key by following these steps:

1 Select a registered car key on Digital Key.
2 Select Share Key.
3 Enter your Samsung Wallet password or continue with fingerprint recognition.
4 Set the Share Key recipient name and permission to use the car, then tap Send Key.
5 Select the method for sending the sharing invitation message to the Share Key recipient.
6 Confirm and deliver the authentication code to verify the Share Key recipient. For enhanced security, we recommend delivering the authentication code using a different method than when sending the Share invitation message.
7 Once the Share invitation is completed, you can check the list of recipients you have shared with on the Key’s Details screen.

Please note: Both the owner of the car and the Share Key recipient’s smartphones require the latest Android 13 OS or higher S/W and the latest Digital Key app update.

This can only be executed when the recipient has received a sharing invitation text message from the car owner. To accept the car key on Digital Key, follow these steps:

1 Open the sharing invitation text messages and tap “See Key”.
2 Samsung Wallet will open, and you will be able to register your car key by following the app's instructions.

How to activate a Digital Key

1.      Authentication code

Follow the instructions on the car’s navigation screen, and enter the authentication code received from the owner of the car.

2.      Physical car key

The Share Key recipient should have the physical car key and follow the instructions on the car’s navigation screen.

3.      Activated Digital Key

The Share Key recipient should have the activated Digital Key and follow the instructions on the car’s navigation screen.

Please note: Both the owner of the car and the Share Key recipient’s smartphones require the latest Android 13 OS or higher S/W and the latest Digital Key app update. Share invitations may also be received via text messages, emails, or messenger apps. Share Key recipients may be asked for authentication during the Share Key acceptance process, or a Digital Key activation process may be required. 

This action can only be executed by the car owner. Follow these steps:

1 Run your Samsung Wallet and select a registered car key to launch the Key’s Details screen.
2 At the Key’s Details screen select a recipient of the shared Key.
3 Tap “Cancel” and authenticate with your fingerprint.
4 You can confirm the termination on the Key’s Details screen

If you want to prevent others from using your Digital Key, follow these steps: 

1 Select a registered car key to launch the Key’s Details screen.
2 Select more options icon (⁝) and tap on the “Security option”.
3 Activate the identity verification feature. To complete this, fingerprint recognition is required.

I am unable to complete the registration of my car key on Digital Key.

Registering a Digital Key requires a network connection.

When registering a Digital Key, it may take 1-3 minutes depending on the status of the network you are using. If you try to register a Digital Key in an area where the network is not running smoothly, the network connection may be unstable, or you may have lost the connection.

 

Can I register multiple Digital Keys for one car?

Digital Key only allow one primary user to register the key for one car. Other users can use the Digital Key for the car through Digital Key’s sharing feature.

 

Is a network connection needed to use a Digital Key?

If you have already registered a Digital Key, you can use it even if you do not have a network connection,

 

I lost my smartphone. How can I suspend the use of my Digital Key?

You can suspend use of your Digital Key by going to the Internet and searching “Find My Mobile” to remotely lock your smartphone. If you delete the data on your smartphone, any registered car key on Digital Key will be deleted as well.

 

What can I do if I put my device on my car’s wireless charging pad, but the car is not starting?

Check the status of your car key on Digital Key. If the Digital Key is not registered on the car company's server, the car will not start. If you are using a shared key, the car may not start depending on the permissions granted. 

Please note: You can check and edit the permissions for your car key on Digital Key by selecting the corresponding car key on Digital Key in Samsung Wallet.

What can I do if I put my device close to the door handle of the car, but the door does not open?

First, check if the NFC feature of your smartphone has been activated.

Next, check the status of your current Digital Keys in Samsung Wallet. If the use of a Digital Key has been suspended / blocked, it will not work.

 

Does Digital Key work on all car door handles?

No, they do not work on all car door handles. It is dependent on the model of your car. The location of the door on which you can use your Digital Key will be different. For more information, contact the car manufacturer.

 

Is the wireless charging pad located in the same place in all cars?

The location of the wireless charging pad to place your smartphone on to start the engine is dependent on the car manufacturer. For more information, contact the car manufacturer.

 

What can I do if the door does not open after confirming verification?

First, check if the security setting is activated (select “Additional menu” under the details of the Digital Key).

Security verification will be confirmed when locking or unlocking your car door. You must confirm your Digital Key with your biometrics data by placing the smartphone on the door handle of the car within 1 minute of confirmation.

If the security setting is activated but the smartphone is turned off, fingerprint recognition will not be possible, and the Digital Key will not be usable.

 

My smartphone’s battery ran out and it turned off. Can I use my Digital Key?

If your smartphone has turned off after running out of battery, Digital Key can still be used up to 5 hours later. However, the security feature must be enabled on the Key's Details screen, if not, the Digital Key cannot be used as it is not possible to run fingerprint recognition.  

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