Samsung Wallet Adds Porsche Support, Bringing Digital Keys to the 911 and Taycan
Samsung just handed Galaxy owners the keys to their Porsches—literally. As of today, the company is rolling out digital key support for the German automaker, letting you unlock and start a 911 or Taycan without digging a physical fob out of your pocket.
The feature is live now. It marks Samsung’s first collaboration with Porsche and adds a heavy hitter to the Galaxy digital key roster, challenging Apple's long-standing dominance in the luxury car integration space.
Hands-Free Access via UWB
The biggest draw here is Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support. If you have a compatible 2025 Porsche—think the Taycan, Macan Electric, or the refreshed 911—you don't even need to take your phone out. Walk within 10 centimeters of the door, and the car authenticates automatically. Porsche’s specs say the handshake happens in under a second.
If your phone lacks UWB, the system falls back to NFC (the old-school "tap against the handle" method). However, this feature is clearly built for flagship hardware. To actually enjoy the walk-up unlock experience, you’ll want a UWB-enabled device like the Galaxy S24, S25 series, or a recent Fold/Flip.
It isn't just about getting in, either. You can start the engine and share keys with up to five friends or family members directly through Samsung Wallet. You set the terms—permanent access for a spouse or a temporary pass for a friend—and you can revoke that access instantly.
Security and "Valet Mode"
Digital keys always raise hackles about security, but Samsung and Porsche seem to have locked this down. They’re using version 3.0 of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) Digital Key standard. In a joint whitepaper, the companies claim the new encryption standard effectively neutralizes relay attacks—the favorite tool of modern car thieves who amplify signal ranges to steal vehicles.
On the hardware side, Samsung is leaning on its Knox security vault to protect the credentials. The integration also introduces smart vehicle-specific controls. Taycan owners, for example, can attach "valet mode" restrictions to a digital key via the Porsche Connect app. Hand a shared key to a valet, and the car automatically limits top speed and acceleration.
Crucially, the system works offline. If you’re parked in a garage with zero signal, the key stays valid for up to seven days. Samsung’s changelog also mentions battery optimization tweaks, claiming this version drains about 30% less power from your phone than previous digital key iterations.
The Broader Ecosystem Play
This is a clear play for the luxury IoT market. Samsung has supported BMW and Genesis since 2022, but adding Porsche brings another major prestige marque into the fold, solidifying the Galaxy ecosystem for high-end consumers.
The update (Samsung Wallet v5.2.1) is rolling out now to users in the United States and select European markets, including Germany. Samsung says it is aiming for full global availability by the end of Q1 2026.
A quick look at Porsche forums and Reddit suggests owners are relieved to finally see Android parity. For years, iPhone users with CarKey have had the advantage here. The only real gripe surfacing so far involves backward compatibility; owners of older Porsche models are frustrated, though unsurprised, that the retrofit isn't an option due to the new hardware requirements.