Samsung is turning a smartphone into a vehicle key for owners of select General Motors vehicles, a change that could simplify how small businesses manage company cars, service vehicles and employee access.
Through Samsung Wallet, compatible Galaxy devices can unlock and lock supported GM vehicles using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), provided the vehicle and phone have Digital Key properly enabled. With the feature active, the vehicle can unlock automatically as the user approaches and lock again when the user walks away, eliminating the need to take out a phone or carry a traditional key fob.
The announcement could have practical value for small companies that rely on a limited number of vehicles but need to share access among employees, contractors or managers. A business owner could, for example, provide a salesperson with access to a company vehicle without handing over a physical key. A repair company could give a technician temporary access to a van, while a property manager could share access with a worker handling maintenance calls.
Key takeaways
- Samsung Wallet now supports Digital Key for select GM vehicles.
- UWB and BLE can enable hands-free unlocking and locking.
- Owners can share access and assign permissions through Samsung Wallet.
- Users can revoke access remotely.
- Lost or stolen devices can be handled through Samsung Find.
- The feature works only with compatible vehicles and Galaxy devices.
The sharing tools may be particularly useful for businesses with rotating drivers. Samsung says users can share Digital Key access, set permissions and withdraw access remotely within the Samsung Wallet app. That could reduce the administrative burden of tracking physical keys and help owners respond quickly when an employee leaves the company or no longer needs access.
Remote control also addresses one of the most common risks associated with mobile credentials. If a company phone disappears, the owner can suspend or delete the Digital Key through Samsung Find on a computer. A business that maintains a device inventory could add this step to its offboarding and loss-reporting procedures, alongside changing passwords and disabling access to other business systems.
Samsung emphasizes that the system uses several security layers. Digital Keys reside in the device’s embedded Secure Element, or eSE, which provides hardware-based protection for sensitive information. Samsung Wallet also uses Samsung Knox, the company’s security platform. Samsung says the Digital Keys meet EAL6+ certification standards, a designation involving testing against advanced attack methods, including side-channel attacks.
That security architecture may reassure businesses that handle valuable vehicles or equipment, but it does not eliminate operational risks. Employees still need to protect their phones, maintain device access and follow company policies for sharing credentials. A business should also establish a backup plan for situations such as a dead phone battery, a damaged device, poor setup or an employee who cannot access the account. Physical keys or manufacturer-supported alternatives may remain necessary.
Compatibility represents another important limitation. Samsung’s footnotes identify UWB support on select devices, including Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra models and newer S-series phones, as well as certain Galaxy Z Fold models. The list includes select Galaxy S25 and S26 devices and newer foldable models. Not every Galaxy phone supports UWB, and the vehicle must also support Samsung’s Digital Key implementation.
Small business owners should confirm both sides of the compatibility equation before changing their key-management process. They may need to check the exact GM vehicle model, model year, trim level and phone model. Businesses should also verify whether each driver needs a supported Galaxy device or whether Samsung offers another approved access method for that vehicle.
The feature could make fleet access faster and easier, especially for businesses with employees who frequently move between locations. A landscaping company, delivery operator or home-services provider might use shared Digital Keys to reduce key handoffs at the start of each shift. However, owners should weigh those efficiencies against phone replacement costs, employee training and the need for clear rules around who can share access.
Samsung’s announcement does not mean every business vehicle can immediately use the feature. It adds another digital option within Samsung Wallet, alongside payment cards, memberships, IDs and other credentials. For companies already invested in Galaxy devices and compatible GM vehicles, the system may offer a convenient way to modernize vehicle access. Others will need to evaluate compatibility, security procedures and backup access before relying on it for daily operations.
Read Samsung’s original announcement for the company’s device and security details.
Image via Google Gemini
This article, "Samsung Wallet Lets Galaxy Phones Unlock and Lock Cars Automatically" was first published on Small Business Trends