Samsung has introduced a new feature within the Samsung Wallet app, called Digital Home Key, that permits users to unlock their front doors using a compatible Galaxy smartphone.
Digital Home Key is built on the Aliro standard. This protocol enables Samsung Galaxy users to unlock compatible smart door locks using their smartphone beginning in March 2026. Once a user sets up a compatible smart lock through Samsung SmartThings using Matter, the global smart home standard, the user can add a Digital Home Key to Samsung Wallet as part of the door lock onboarding process.
Access methods depend on the device and lock capabilities. Most users will unlock their door by tapping their smartphone using near-field communication (NFC) technology, while others can use hands-free access with ultra-wideband (UWB) proximity detection starting in April 2026 or manage the lock remotely through the app.
This new feature is compatible with smart lock brands like Aqara, Nuki, Schlage, and Xthings (Ultraloq). Samsung states the solution is "designed to align with EAL6+ grade certification standards, providing robust protection against unauthorized access to digital keys." The electronics giant adds that if you somehow lose your device, the Samsung Find service allows for remote management or removal of access.
The Aliro standard was unveiled in late 2023 by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the same folks who gave us the Matter protocol. The pitch at the time was that the digital key space has been a fragmented disaster. For example, if you bought a smart lock from Schlage, you needed the Schlage app, while an Ultraloq lock required the U-tec app, and a Nuki lock needed the Nuki app. Aliro addresses this by establishing a universal communication language between the reader and the mobile device using technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy for the initial handshake.
Getting a product certified for robust security (like the EAL6+ grade Samsung is touting) can be quite expensive. Manufacturers must submit their products for rigorous evaluation against side-channel attacks and other advanced vectors, and the process often takes months and requires significant financial investment, which increases the barrier to entry.