Samsung Galaxy owners can now use their phones to unlock, lock, and start select General Motors vehicles, bringing digital car keys to Samsung Wallet. The feature is initially rolling out to compatible Cadillac electric vehicles in the US and Canada, with support for additional GM models expected to expand by the end of 2026.

Announced by Samsung Electronics America on October 7, the integration lets drivers use a compatible Galaxy device instead of relying solely on a traditional car key fob. It also supports hands-free vehicle access, allowing drivers to approach their cars and have the doors unlock automatically, then lock again when they walk away.

The initial rollout covers the 2025–2027 Cadillac LYRIQ, the 2026–2027 Cadillac OPTIQ, and the 2027 Cadillac VISTIQ. The feature is available in the US and Canada, although vehicle and smartphone compatibility requirements apply.

How Samsung Wallet’s digital car key works

Samsung Wallet uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to communicate with supported vehicles. UWB enables proximity-based detection, allowing a compatible phone to trigger automatic unlocking as its owner approaches the car without needing to take the device out of a pocket or bag.

The system also supports automatic locking when the driver walks away. Beyond everyday entry, Samsung Wallet lets users share digital keys with other people, configure access permissions, and revoke shared access remotely through the app.

If a Galaxy phone is lost or stolen, users can suspend or delete its digital key remotely through Samsung Find on a computer. That gives owners a way to manage access without needing the missing phone in hand.

Compatible Galaxy phones and security

Not every Samsung phone supports the feature. The device must have the necessary UWB and BLE connectivity, and Samsung lists the following compatible device families:

• Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
• Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra through the Galaxy S26+ and S26 Ultra
• Galaxy S25 Edge
• Galaxy Z Fold2 through Z Fold8, including the Z TriFold and Z Fold8 Ultra

Compatibility depends on the specific device, so Galaxy owners should check Samsung’s requirements before relying on their phone as a car key.

Samsung says digital keys are stored in the phone’s embedded Secure Element, a dedicated hardware component designed to protect sensitive information. Samsung Knox provides an additional layer of security, while the digital keys meet the EAL6+ certification standard for protection against unauthorized access.

More Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac models are coming

The initial Cadillac rollout is part of a wider General Motors initiative. GM has announced plans to extend digital key support to additional vehicles, with a further expansion planned for December 2026.

The upcoming list includes the 2026–2027 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the 2026–2027 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and the 2027 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, and CELESTIQ. Availability is expected to roll out in phases, so owners should look for a notification in the “What’s New” section of their vehicle’s mobile app.

The feature is not exclusive to Samsung Wallet. GM’s digital key system also supports compatible devices through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, extending the same basic convenience to users across different mobile platforms.

For Samsung, the addition makes Wallet more useful beyond payments, IDs, and memberships. For drivers of supported GM vehicles, it means one less physical item to carry, with the ability to share and manage vehicle access directly from a smartphone.