Rivian's latest iPhone app brings digital key support to older R1T and R1S EVs, but it's not a full-blown solution.
Rivian's new iPhone app, version 3.9, introduces an Apple Watch companion app, allowing owners of the 2021-2024 R1T and R1S to lock, unlock, and drive their cars without their phones or physical keys. This feature, however, requires the app to run in the foreground on the Apple Watch, meaning it's not as seamless as the digital key support found in the Gen 2 R1T and R1S.
For Gen 1 owners, unlocking and locking their vehicles will involve tapping their Apple Watch screen, a step more cumbersome than the digital key's automatic functionality. Despite this, the app also enables remote control features like sounding the alarm, setting the state of charge, and adjusting cabin temperature.
The digital key support, available in 2025 and newer Rivians, allows owners to store a digital key in their smartphones' digital wallets, automatically unlocking the car when the driver approaches with the phone in their pocket and locking it when the driver walks away. This feature is more comprehensive and compatible with a wider range of devices, including iPhone, Apple Watch, Google Pixel, and Samsung Android phones.
While version 3.9 of the smartphone app isn't yet available, it's expected to launch in the coming weeks, offering a step towards digital key support for older Rivian owners, albeit with some limitations.
