Samsung digital car key has been extended to select BMW and Kia models

Samsung has been announcing digital car keys for a while now and has added support for the feature on select phones. The feature relies on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and an NFC chip to allow users to unlock the vehicle without using the car key when approaching the vehicle. The first model that supports Samsung’s digital car key is the GV60 pure electric car of Genesis, which belongs to the luxury car brand of Hyundai Motor.

Samsung recently updated the digital car key support document, showing that it can be used in some models of BMW and Kia, including BMW’s 1 to 8 series, X5 to X7 series, Z4, i3, iX, i4, and Kia’s Niro and Genesis G90. Owners of these models can use their Samsung Galaxy phone to unlock the vehicle, as well as open doors, start the engine, and adjust the seat and side mirror positions. However, only the Genesis model can achieve automatic unlocking at present, because it uses ultra-wideband technology, BMW and Kia models need to take out the phone and tap.