Samsung’s digital wallet ambitions are shifting into high gear. The company announced today upcoming Samsung Wallet support for Mercedes-Benz digital car keys starting in July 2025, marking a significant step in its catch-up campaign against Google Wallet in the automotive space (Source: Samsung).
The update will allow Galaxy smartphone users to lock, unlock, and start select Mercedes-Benz vehicles directly from their phones, without ever needing to take the device out of their pocket. Combining the long-popular Bluetooth Low Energy standard with up-and-coming ultra-wideband technology, Android digital keys provide secure, accurate access to your car’s location, locks, and ignition. The flexible, advanced feature is quickly becoming a baseline expectation among premium car buyers.
No keys, no wallet, no problem
Just let your Galaxy phone do it all
The announcement slots neatly into Samsung’s continued push to close the gap with Google Wallet, which already supports digital car keys for Tesla, Volvo, and Polestar, among others. While Samsung’s a bit late to the party, it’s been steadily expanding its roster of supported automakers. It currently offers digital keys for BMW, Mini, Audi, and the Hyundai Group, which also includes Kia and Genesis. Earlier this month, the South Korean tech giant also added Volvo and Polestar, though support for those brands remains limited by region and model.
We’re excited to bring Mercedes-Benz drivers the incredible convenience that comes with Samsung Digital Key access. Our collaboration with Mercedes-Benz advances our vision of providing effortless access to tech-enabled experiences across the Galaxy ecosystem. — Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of the Digital Wallet Team at Samsung
Unlike the limited launch of Volvo and Polestar keys — which are only available in select countries, on just a few models like the EX90 and Polestar 3 — the Mercedes-Benz integration is expected to have broader appeal. Details on which Mercedes models will be supported haven’t been released yet, but various popular models across multiple Mercedes classes already support OEM digital keys. Once Samsung’s support launches, users will be able to register a digital key through the Mercedes Me app, indicating a tighter integration at the OEM level.
Samsung Wallet, launched in June 2022, has become a cornerstone of the company’s mobile ecosystem. Beyond digital car keys, it also stores payment cards, IDs, boarding passes, and more, all protected by Samsung Knox with EAL6+ certification, one of the highest standards in mobile security. The inclusion of biometric or PIN authentication ensures only authorized users can access a vehicle, and if a phone is lost or stolen, users can wipe the key remotely using SmartThings Find.
With digital keys becoming more than just a novelty and edging toward necessity, Samsung’s latest move underscores the company’s push to make Galaxy phones an essential piece of your automotive experience.
Samsung says the Mercedes-Benz Digital Key will be available in select regions worldwide starting July 2025. The last 5 S series Plus and Ultra models have the required UWB hardware, as do Galaxy Z Fold handsets since the second generation, and the recent S25 Edge.
While Google Wallet still maintains a slight edge in automaker coverage, Samsung’s growing list — and now, a partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious car brands — suggests that edge may not last much longer.
