Samsung Wallet Announces Support for Unlocking Mahindra e-SUV Using Smartphones

 

Samsung has announced a major upgrade to its digital ecosystem in India: Galaxy users will soon be able to unlock and start select Mahindra electric SUVs using only their smartphones via Samsung Wallet. The new Digital Car Key support, initially rolling out for Mahindra’s Electric Origin SUVs, marks a big step forward for connected mobility in the country. (Samsung Global Newsroom)

What exactly has Samsung announced?

Through a new partnership with Mahindra, Samsung is adding Digital Car Key functionality for select Mahindra e-SUVs inside the Samsung Wallet app. Once enabled, compatible Galaxy phones can:

• Lock and unlock the vehicle

• Start the car

• Replace the need for a physical key in daily use (The Times of India)

The integration will debut with Mahindra’s Electric Origin lineup, specifically the XEV 9e and BE 6 SUVs. Mahindra is also becoming the first Indian OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to integrate its digital key directly with Samsung Wallet—something that was previously available in India only for global luxury brands and select international models. (Samsung Global Newsroom)

How the Digital Car Key works

The digital key is stored securely inside the Samsung Wallet app on a supported Galaxy device. Once set up:

• The phone communicates with the car using NFC (near-field communication) so you can tap the phone near the door handle to unlock it. (Autocar India)

• After entering the car, the same digital key allows you to start the vehicle, as long as the phone is detected inside. (The Times of India)

• Access to the key itself is protected by biometric authentication or a secure PIN, and the entire system is backed by Samsung Knox, the company’s defense-grade security platform. (The Times of India)

If the Galaxy phone is lost or stolen, users can go to Samsung Find and remotely lock the device or wipe the digital key, preventing anyone else from using it to access the car. (SamMobile)

Mahindra’s Electric Origin SUVs get smarter

The first models to support Samsung Wallet digital keys are Mahindra’s XEV 9e and BE 6, both part of the company’s Electric Origin SUV range. These EVs already offered a digital key experience through Mahindra’s own Me4U app, as well as traditional physical keys and NFC cards. What’s new is the seamless extension of that digital key into Samsung Wallet. (Autocar India)

For Mahindra owners, that means:

• No need to juggle multiple apps just for car access

• Tighter integration with the Samsung ecosystem they may already use for payments, transit cards, IDs, and boarding passes

• A more “one-stop” experience where the car key simply lives alongside other digital essentials in Samsung Wallet (Samsung Global Newsroom)

Sharing your car—without handing over a key

One of the most practical aspects of this feature is digital key sharing. Owners can:

• Share a digital key with family or friends

• Set time-limited access, so the key works only during a chosen window

• Revoke access remotely whenever they choose (Gadgets 360)

This is especially useful in urban households where multiple people may use the same EV, or in situations like valet parking, short trips, or lending the car without physically meeting to exchange keys.

Security, but also convenience

Digital car keys often raise the question: “Is this safe?”

Samsung and Mahindra are trying to answer that with a multi-layered approach:

• Device-level security via Samsung Knox

• Biometrics/PIN required every time the wallet or key is accessed

• Remote lock and wipe of the digital key via Samsung Find if the phone goes missing (The Times of India)

At the same time, the convenience is undeniable:

• No more worrying about forgetting the key at home

• Easy access when your hands are full

• A more “smartphone-first” ownership experience that matches what EV buyers increasingly expect

How will users get the feature?

Samsung has said the feature will roll out soon for Galaxy users in India with compatible Mahindra e-SUVs. While device and software compatibility lists haven’t been fully detailed yet, it will be limited to select Galaxy smartphones that support digital car keys and Samsung Wallet. (Gadgets 360)

Mahindra owners already using the Me4U app will continue to have that option, as well as their original NFC card and physical keys. The Samsung Wallet integration is essentially another, more integrated layer on top of the existing system, not a replacement. (Autocar India)

A typical setup flow is likely to look like this:

1. Update Samsung Wallet and Me4U to the latest versions.

2. Log into both apps with the same Mahindra account and Samsung account details.

3. Add the Mahindra digital key from the Me4U app or via a pairing process at a Mahindra service point or through an in-app guide.

4. Confirm biometric or PIN authentication in Samsung Wallet to store the key securely.

(Exact steps may vary once the feature is fully rolled out, but the process will revolve around linking your car, Mahindra account, and Samsung Wallet.)

Why this partnership matters

This tie-up is important in a few ways:

1. First Indian automaker on Samsung Wallet
   Mahindra becomes the first Indian car brand whose EVs support Samsung’s Digital Car Key inside Wallet, signaling how seriously Indian OEMs are now taking connected-car features. (Samsung Global Newsroom)

2. Stronger position for Samsung in India
   India is one of Samsung’s biggest smartphone markets. By offering localised features like Mahindra EV integration, biometric UPI payments, and transit and ID options in Samsung Wallet, the company is building a sticky ecosystem that encourages users to stay within the Galaxy family. (Business Standard)

3. A glimpse of the future of car ownership
   As more vehicles go electric and connected, the smartphone is becoming the default key, dashboard, and control center. The Mahindra–Samsung partnership is a preview of everyday car ownership where:

   • Keys are digital

   • Access can be shared or revoked with a tap

   • Security is managed in the cloud

   • Your car is just another device inside a broader tech ecosystem

What’s next?

For now, Samsung Wallet’s digital key integration is limited to select Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs—the XEV 9e and BE 6. But if the rollout goes smoothly and customers respond positively, it wouldn’t be surprising to see:

• More Mahindra models gain Samsung Wallet support

• Other Indian automakers explore similar partnerships

• Deeper integration with in-car infotainment, charging networks, and smart home systems