Rivian Introduces Apple Watch App for Seamless Vehicle Control
Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is set to enhance the driving experience by launching a dedicated Apple Watch application, enabling owners to manage their vehicles directly from their wrists. This innovative app aims to streamline daily interactions, reducing the reliance on smartphones for routine tasks. With this new tool, users can unlock doors, adjust various settings, and prepare their vehicles for journeys—all through the convenience of their Apple Watch.
Scheduled for release as part of Rivian’s forthcoming 2026.03 software update, which corresponds with version 3.9 of the Rivian mobile app, this Apple Watch integration offers drivers immediate access to essential vehicle functions. Users will have the capability to lock or unlock doors, vent windows, and activate the alarm system with a simple tap. For more intricate controls, such as setting a target charge level or modifying the cabin temperature, the Digital Crown of the Apple Watch will be utilized. Additionally, the app supports up to four customizable quick actions, allowing drivers to swiftly access their most frequently used features.
According to release notes shared by RivianTrackr, the update emphasizes extending digital access to a broader range of vehicles, including older models. The notes state:
The latest Rivian mobile app update includes a companion app for your Apple Watch. This allows you to remotely access and control your vehicle from your Apple Watch.
This development is particularly significant for owners of first-generation Rivian vehicles produced between 2021 and 2024. These earlier models lacked support for Apple’s native digital car key system. With the introduction of the new app, these owners will, for the first time, have the ability to access their vehicles via the Apple Watch. It’s important to note that for the digital key functionality to operate, the app must remain open. In contrast, newer Rivian models, starting from the 2025 model year, already support Apple Wallet-based Car Keys, which function even when the app is closed.
The Apple Watch app builds upon Rivian’s recent initiative to integrate Apple Wallet digital keys. For newer vehicle models, drivers can unlock and start their cars using an iPhone or Apple Watch without the need to interact with the Rivian app. The new watch app does not replace this existing system; rather, it bridges the gap for older vehicles and provides quicker access to controls for all supported owners.
Overall, Rivian’s Apple Watch app introduces practical convenience, transforming the watch into a lightweight control center and equipping older vehicles with features that were previously exclusive to newer models.
