BYD turns latest Galaxy Watch into a digital car key

The slow march toward the end of the physical car key just took another step forward. Chinese automaker BYD has announced that it is the first car brand in the country to integrate its cars with the Samsung Galaxy Watch, allowing owners to use the popular smartwatch as an NFC digital key for their vehicles. This follows BYD's existing support for Samsung smartphones and points to a deeper push into the world of connected convenience for EV owners.

NFC is the same short-range wireless system that enables tap-to-pay with your credit card or smartphone. It allows two devices to communicate when they are brought very close to each other, typically within a few centimeters. In this case, a simple tap of the Galaxy Watch on a designated spot on the car door is all it takes to unlock it. BYD claims the process is nearly instantaneous, taking about one second to complete.

The feature isn't for every smartwatch, however. The integration is available for Samsung's latest models, including the Galaxy Watch7, Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and the rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra.

To get started, owners of a compatible BYD electric car and Samsung watch need to ensure their devices are up to date. The watch must be running the latest version of Wear OS, and it needs two specific apps: the Samsung Smart Card App (at least version 5.1.38) and the BYD Auto App (version 9.3.0 or newer).

After installing the required apps, users can simply follow the in-app instructions to create the digital key. The system also supports key sharing, allowing a digital key to be securely sent to a family member or friend.

BYD might be the first Chinese brand to officially support the Galaxy Watch, but the company isn't alone in this digital playground. Apple has its own "CarKey" feature that works with the iPhone and Apple Watch, supported by automakers like BMW, Hyundai, and Kia. The goal is always the same: to make accessing your vehicle as seamless as checking a notification on your wrist.

Via