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. This innovative app empowers owners to manage their vehicles directly from their wrists, streamlining daily interactions and reducing reliance on smartphones for routine tasks.
Key Features of the Rivian Apple Watch App:
– Remote Access: Users can effortlessly lock or unlock doors, vent windows, and activate the vehicle’s alarm system with a simple tap on their Apple Watch.
– Advanced Controls: The app utilizes the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown to allow precise adjustments, such as setting target charge levels and modifying cabin temperatures, ensuring optimal comfort and efficiency.
– Customizable Quick Actions: To cater to individual preferences, the app offers up to four customizable quick actions, enabling drivers to access their most frequently used features swiftly.
This Apple Watch integration is part of Rivian’s forthcoming 2026.03 software update, corresponding with version 3.9 of the Rivian mobile app. The primary objective is to extend digital accessibility to a broader range of vehicles, including earlier models. According to release notes shared by RivianTrackr, the update emphasizes expanding digital access to more vehicles, notably 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.
Implications for Rivian Vehicle Owners:
– First-Generation Models (2021-2024): Owners of these earlier models, which previously lacked support for Apple’s built-in digital car key system, will now benefit from Apple Watch-based access. It’s important to note that for the digital key functionality to operate, the app must remain open.
– Newer Models (2025 and Beyond): Vehicles from the 2025 model year onward already support Apple Wallet-based Car Keys, allowing drivers to unlock and start their cars using an iPhone or Apple Watch without needing to open the Rivian app. The new Apple Watch app complements this system by providing quicker access to various controls.
This development builds upon Rivian’s recent initiative to support Apple Wallet digital keys. For newer vehicles, drivers can unlock and start their cars using an iPhone or Apple Watch without interacting with the Rivian app. The introduction of the Apple Watch app does not replace this system but rather enhances it by offering faster access to controls for all supported owners.
In summary, Rivian’s Apple Watch app introduces a new level of convenience, transforming the watch into a compact control center and equipping older vehicles with features that were previously exclusive to newer models.
