Samsung Wallet Embraces Digital School IDs: A Game-Changer for Students Across the US

Samsung has introduced support for digital student IDs in its Wallet app, enabling students at 68 colleges and universities across the United States to use their Samsung phones for access and purchases on campus. To avail of this feature, students must have the United States versions of Samsung’s latest devices.

Among the educational institutions that have integrated their ID systems with Samsung Wallet are Penn State, the University of Florida, Central Michigan University, University of North Alabama, and the Stevens Institute of Technology.

Apple has been offering contact-free student ID cards since 2018, allowing students to use their iPhones to access facilities and make purchases, including at cafeterias. Google Pay also partnered with a company called Transact in 2020 to enable student ID integration, providing solutions for tuition and other student expenses.

To use digital student IDs with Samsung Wallet, users will need to download the Transact eAccounts mobile app from Google Play, as Samsung has collaborated with Transact for this integration.

The Samsung Wallet app offers features such as “Fast Mode,” which allows users to tap their phone without unlocking the screen for quick access, and “Power Reserve,” enabling the use of the digital ID even when the phone’s battery is low or turned off.

Not all participating institutions provide the capability to pay using NFC at on-campus stores and vending machines. The feature is selectively available depending on the institution.

Presently, Samsung Wallet’s digital ID support is accessible to users with Galaxy S20 phones or later, Note 20, Galaxy Flip or Fold devices, or Galaxy A53. Support for Galaxy Watches is planned for release in the fall. Samsung is actively working to expand the offering to include more institutions and make digital student IDs available to a broader student population.