Samsung is adopting the Aliro smart lock standard, run by the same team responsible for Matter. In Samsung Wallet, a new Digital Home Key function will be able to unlock your compatible smart locks with NFC and UWB technology.
According to Samsung, the wallet app available on Galaxy devices is getting a new key type to broaden the Digital Key feature, formerly limited to vehicles. Digital Home Key will be available for users to interact with compatible smart locks in their home.
Digital Home Key will be limited to locks using the Aliro standard. That isn’t all bad news, as Aliro is run by CSA – the organization that manages Matter. In the same vein, Aliro is an open standard that smart lock manufacturers can adopt. In doing so, they gain access to user bases like those on Galaxy devices.
Once the digital home key is added to Samsung Wallet through the lock setup process, users will be able to unlock their door using NFC and UWB, depending on the lock’s capabilities. NFC unlocking works in the same way contactless payments do, with a quick tap on the door lock.
UWB, however, is a bigger and more exciting story. It allows users to unlock their lock simply by approaching the lock with an authorized device. Samsung claims the method is secure, though proximity unlocking can be an unnerving concept.
In a lot of ways, using NFC or UWB makes more sense. Even requesting your digital assistance of choice (Google Gemini, Bixby, etc.) to unlock your door generally requires you to unlock your phone. The process doesn’t always feel faster than pulling out a physical key.
However, quickly opening your device and tapping the lock without relying on a digital assistant might prove to be a faster experience. Further, simply walking up to the door with an unlocked phone would theoretically be faster.
Samsung doesn’t specifically mention any smart lock brands, though it notes the feature will be rolling out in select regions this month and in the future with the release of new locks from “leading smart lock brands.”
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