Samsung just turned your Galaxy phone into a digital house key

Source: Android Authority

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

TL;DR

• Samsung Wallet is expanding beyond payments with a new Digital Home Key feature for compatible smart door locks.
• It’s built on Aliro 1.0, a unified access standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance (the same group behind Matter).
• American Airlines becomes the first U.S. carrier with direct Samsung Wallet boarding‑pass integration.

Samsung Wallet’s New Digital Home Key

Samsung announced that Wallet will soon support a Digital Home Key for smart door locks. Compatible Galaxy devices can unlock supported locks using NFC or UWB:

• NFC – tap your phone to the lock.
• UWB – walk up to the lock and it unlocks hands‑free (if your device supports UWB).

If you lose your phone, you can disable the key remotely via Samsung’s Find service. The credentials are protected by Samsung Knox and the device’s secure element.

Aliro 1.0 – The Underlying Standard

The Digital Home Key is built on Aliro 1.0, a unified access‑control standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance (the organization behind Matter).

• Problem it solves: Different smart‑lock brands use proprietary protocols, leading to fragmentation and the need for separate apps or readers.
• Aliro’s goal: Provide a common communication layer for mobile devices and access readers, enabling cross‑platform compatibility.

By adopting Aliro, Samsung positions its Digital Home Key as part of an open ecosystem rather than a closed, proprietary system. The broader adoption of Aliro by lock manufacturers will determine how quickly a universal “phone‑as‑key” experience becomes reality.

American Airlines Boarding‑Pass Integration

Samsung also announced that American Airlines is the first U.S. carrier to offer direct Samsung Wallet boarding‑pass integration.

Features include:

• Adding flight passes directly from the American Airlines app.
• Live updates for gate changes, seat info, terminal details, and push notifications—no more screenshots or separate apps.
• Option to link a Galaxy SmartTag to the boarding pass for bag tracking.
• Automatic sync of travel details with Samsung Calendar.
• For devices running One UI 8.0 or later, upcoming travel information appears in the Now Brief.