Samsung has officially announced that Samsung Wallet will support Digital Car Key functionality for select 2026 Toyota vehicles, starting this month. This move expands Samsung’s push into connected mobility and makes Galaxy phones a deeper part of everyday use beyond payments and IDs.
The feature will debut with select 2026 Toyota models, beginning with the Toyota RAV4, with more compatible vehicles expected to follow. Using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, supported Galaxy smartphones will be able to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle without needing a physical key. UWB enables precise, secure short-range communication, reducing the risk of relay attacks that affect older keyless entry systems.
Samsung Wallet’s Digital Key allows users to store their car key securely on the device, protected by Samsung Knox security, biometric authentication, and device-level encryption. Users can also share temporary or permanent digital keys with family members or trusted contacts, with customizable access permissions such as time limits or restricted driving access.
The system works seamlessly in the background. As long as the compatible Galaxy phone is nearby, the car can automatically unlock when the user approaches, and the engine can be started from inside the vehicle. Even if the phone battery is critically low, Samsung’s reserve power mode may still allow limited key functionality on supported devices.
This partnership places Samsung alongside Apple and Google in the growing digital car key ecosystem, with Toyota becoming one of the largest automakers to adopt Samsung Wallet integration. It also highlights Toyota’s increasing focus on software-defined vehicles and smartphone-based ownership experiences.
Availability will depend on vehicle trim, region, and Galaxy device compatibility, with UWB-enabled Galaxy phones required to use the full feature set. Samsung has confirmed that rollout begins this month, with broader support planned throughout 2026.
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