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Samsung is taking a big step forward with its digital wallet in India. What started years ago as Samsung Pay has now grown into a complete Samsung Wallet -- an all-in-one app that brings together payments, ID cards, travel passes,and even digital car keys in one place. The South Korean giant has introduced new features including UPI integration, DigiLocker access, biometric payments and digital keys for Mahindra EVs. These updates are designed to make life easier for Galaxy users, helping them pay, travel and access their digital IDs securely from just their smartphone. During a roundtable discussion with the media, Madhur Chaturvedi, Senior Director, Services & Apps Business at Samsung India, outlined the company’s vision for Samsung Wallet. "Our goal is to make Samsung Wallet the ultimate digital wallet experience, exclusively on Galaxy devices," Chaturvedi said. Integrating UPI Into Samsung Wallet Samsung has worked with NPCI to bring UPI account setup directly into the new-device setup process. That means when you unbox a new Galaxy phone, you can link your UPI account right away without downloading any separate app. Responding to a question about how UPI integration was implemented and what challenges were faced in collaboration with NPCI, Chaturvedi told Times Now Tech that the goal was to make UPI setup frictionless, particularly for users switching to a new phone. "Our objective is to catalyse early UPI adoption for anyone setting up a new device. During the device setup journey users will be able to directly link their UPI accounts and bank securely. This functionality already exists in Samsung Wallet, but we’re now bringing it upfront into the setup flow," he said. "Rather than users having to search, download or transfer UPI apps, they can now set it up instantly. The entire flow was thoroughly tested with NPCI and both sides are excited about how this simplifies digital onboarding,” he added added. When asked if the feature would only be available on Samsung’s premium Galaxy S and Z series phones, the Chaturvedi clarified that UPI support will be available across all devices that support Samsung Wallet. He said that UPI is not limited to flagship phones and will work on every Samsung device, adding that the goal is to give all users a consistent and secure payment experience. Forex Card Integration The updated Samsung Wallet now supports Forex Tap & Pay through a new partnership with WSFx Global Pay, which allow users to pay abroad. The company has also expanded support for AU Bank credit and debit cards, with more issuers expected to join soon. When asked about the newly announced Forex card feature can simplify travel for frequent flyers, he explained that the idea was to eliminate the hassle of maintaining multiple cards. "Our first partner for the Forex card is GlobalPay, that’s our initial implementation. However, we plan to expand this service to other banks soon. For now, users will need to have a GlobalPay Forex card to access the feature. The company believes this unified approach will help travellers manage international spending more seamlessly directly through their smartphones. Biometric Authentication for Payments Samsung is also making digital transactions smoother with biometric authentication for UPI payments. Soon, users will be able to approve low-value transactions just by using their phone’s fingerprint or face recognition, skipping the need to enter a UPI PIN each time. This update is expected to roll out by December 2025 and will apply across Samsung Wallet-compatible Galaxy devices. Samsung Wallet continues to support DigiLocker integration, letting users securely access Aadhaar, PAN and driving licence documents inside the app without needing a separate DigiLocker app. Security and Knox Protection "Everything on Samsung Wallet, whether it is a credit card, debit card, car key, or home key — is safeguarded by Knox/ Knox is deeply integrated into the hardware and software layers, ensuring that all wallet features are protected from potential threats, including ghost tapping," Chaturvedi explained. Adding to that, Samsung and Mahindra have partnered to bring digital car keys to upcoming Mahindra electric SUVs, including the BE6 and 9E. Galaxy users will be able to lock, unlock, and even start their EVs using just their phone. Samsung’s Broader Vision With features like digital car key, UPI integration. biometric authentication and Forex card access, Samsung Wallet wants to be a central hub for payments and identification. By integrating UPI setup directly into device activation, Samsung is becoming an important part of India’s fintech growth, working closely with regulators like NPCI to make cashless payments as easy and natural as unlocking your phone. Get Latest News live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Technology Science and around the world.
