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

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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.

Samsung digital car key is only available on select Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Z Fold3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3 models. At present, this feature is limited to South Korea for the time being, and it is not clear when Samsung will choose to promote it externally. In addition, when Samsung’s digital car key function was first launched, Audi and Ford have already cooperated with Samsung, and it is not known when these two models will provide support.

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