Select GM vehicles can now treat a compatible Galaxy phone as the key through Samsung Wallet, which could ease how small businesses share company cars.
Samsung says some Galaxy phones can now work as the key for select General Motors vehicles. With the feature on, the car unlocks as you walk up and locks again when you walk away. There is no need to pull out the phone or carry a key fob.
The feature runs through Samsung Wallet. It uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy, two short-range wireless signals. Both the phone and the vehicle must have Digital Key properly enabled.
Owners can share access, set permissions and take access back remotely in the Samsung Wallet app. If a phone goes missing, the owner can suspend or delete the key through Samsung Find on a computer.
Samsung says the digital keys are stored in a protected chip inside the phone, called an embedded Secure Element. Samsung Wallet also uses Samsung Knox, the company's security platform. Samsung says the keys meet EAL6+ certification, which involves testing against advanced attack methods.
That does not remove every risk. Employees still need to protect their phones and follow company rules about sharing access.
Anyone with a supported Galaxy phone and a supported GM vehicle. The most obvious fit is a small business with a few vehicles and several drivers. A salesperson could get access to a company car without a physical key. A repair company could give a technician temporary access to a van. A property manager could share a vehicle with a maintenance worker.
Not every Galaxy phone supports UWB, and the vehicle must support Samsung's Digital Key too. Samsung's footnotes list the following:
Businesses should confirm the exact GM model, model year, trim level and phone model. They should also check whether each driver needs a supported Galaxy phone or whether another approved access method exists. The material does not say which GM models are included or mention any cost.
A dead battery, a damaged phone or a poor setup could leave a driver locked out. Physical keys or manufacturer-supported alternatives may still be needed. Owners should also weigh phone replacement costs, employee training and clear rules about who can share access.
Before relying on a phone as a car key, confirm that both the Galaxy phone and the GM vehicle are supported, and keep a physical spare.
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