SEOUL, January 16, 2026, 18:30 KST
- Samsung Wallet’s Digital Key will work with select 2026 Toyota RAV4 models as rollout starts in North America this month
- Feature uses ultra-wideband and near-field communication to lock, unlock and start vehicles with a compatible Galaxy phone
- Wider availability, including in Europe, is expected to follow as Toyota’s 2026 models launch
Samsung Electronics is adding Toyota Motor vehicles to the list of cars that can be accessed via Samsung Wallet, starting with select 2026 Toyota RAV4 models rolling out this month in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The move matters because phone makers are trying to push wallet apps beyond tap-to-pay and transit passes, turning them into a daily tool that also controls physical access. Automakers, meanwhile, have been inching toward common standards for phone-based keys as connected-car features spread.
A “digital car key” stores a credential on the phone so drivers can use it like a fob. Samsung said Toyota access will use ultra-wideband, a short-range radio that can measure distance for hands-free entry, and near-field communication, the tap-to-connect technology used in contactless payments.
Mezha reported that other Toyota models are expected to be added later this year, with European availability to follow later in line with the launch schedule for new 2026 Toyota models.
Samsung said the keys are stored on the device and protected by its Knox security platform and meet EAL6+ certification standards, a security rating aimed at resisting sophisticated attack methods. The company said users can share keys with trusted contacts, revoke access and remotely lock or delete a key if a phone is lost or stolen.
“Samsung Wallet is designed to remove friction from daily life through the combination of seamless convenience and uncompromising security,” said Woncheol Chai, an executive vice president who leads Samsung Electronics’ Digital Wallet team.
PhoneArena said the Toyota tie-up adds to a growing list of car brands that already support Samsung’s Digital Key, and comes as Apple expands its own Car Key feature in Apple Wallet.
SammyGuru reported that Samsung plans to lean first on Galaxy phones with ultra-wideband support, with broader device support expected later as NFC-based access rolls out to more models.
But the rollout starts narrow. It is limited to select 2026 RAV4 models and a first set of markets, and it depends on customers having compatible Galaxy devices, while Samsung has not set out which Toyota models will be next.
Samsung Wallet bundles payment cards, passes, IDs and digital keys, and the company has been widening carmaker partnerships as it tries to keep users inside its ecosystem.
