Rivian to Offer iPhone Car Keys in Apple Wallet App Later This Month

[MacRumors]

Apple Wallet car key support is coming to Rivian's second-generation R1S and R1T electric vehicles with a 2025.46 software update later this month, according to the company's software chief Wassym Bensaid. He did not provide a specific date.

This feature will allow you to remotely unlock, lock, and start a second-generation R1S or R1T with an iPhone or Apple Watch, without needing to use the Rivian app. Express Mode will be supported, meaning you can keep your iPhone in your pocket as you approach the vehicle, as unlocking the device with Face ID is not required.

Rivian is implementing a newer version of the feature with Ultra Wideband technology for passive entry, eliminating the need to place your iPhone near an NFC reader.

If your iPhone battery runs out, a Power Reserve feature ensures the Apple Wallet key can still be used for up to five hours after the device shut off.

You can share an Apple Wallet car key with up to eight family and friends via AirDrop or any messaging app, such as the Messages app or WhatsApp.

Apple Wallet car keys will not be supported in Rivian's first-generation R1S and R1T vehicles that were built through the 2024 model year.

Despite implementing Apple Wallet car key support, Rivian remains opposed to CarPlay. The electric vehicle maker does offer a built-in Apple Music app with a Connect+ subscription, which costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year.

Article Link: Rivian to Offer iPhone Car Keys in Apple Wallet App Later This Month

 

[Alan Wynn]

In summary, in order to be able to use my Apple Music subscription, for which I am already paying, I need to pay them $15 a month. No wonder they do not want me to have CarPlay. Currently in the market for a new car, one I can check off my list.

 

[lefkonj]

So you know the $15 a month is not just for Apple Music but several other services which is becoming common place in vehicles.

 

[Spinarelo]

In summary, in order to be able to use my Apple Music subscription, for which I am already paying, I need to pay them $15 a month. No wonder they do not want me to have CarPlay. Currently in the market for a new car, one I can check off my list.

Well you need an internet connection to stream the music don't you? That's what connect+ is..... In order to use Apple music on your phone when away from your house wi-fi, don't you pay a mobile provider for data? This is no different

 

[alexandr]

Well you need an internet connection to stream the music don't you? That's what connect+ is..... In order to use Apple music on your phone when away from your house wi-fi, don't you pay a mobile provider for data? This is no different

But if he's already paying his provider for that in the form of unlimited (or limited) data, why would he need to pay the car maker on top of that?

 

[alexandr]

Not gonna lie — digital car key is f—n awesome.

 

[Rob9874]

I'm not understanding the benefit of these iPhone keys. "...meaning you can keep your iPhone in your pocket as you approach the vehicle" I already do that with my Rivian and it automatically unlocks and let me drive without getting the phone out of my pocket or opening the Rivian app. What does this add?

 

[mattopotamus]

I'm not understanding the benefit of these iPhone keys. "...meaning you can keep your iPhone in your pocket as you approach the vehicle" I already do that with my Rivian and it automatically unlocks and let me drive without getting the phone out of my pocket or opening the Rivian app. What does this add?

The article says this, "Rivian is implementing a newer version of the feature with Ultra Wideband technology for passive entry, eliminating the need to place your iPhone near an NFC reader."

If it's like Tesla, using UWB tech makes a huge difference in terms of reliability. I can't remember the last time the phone key didn't work or made me unlock my phone. That wasn't always the case prior to UWB.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I didn't know there was a second generation Rivian, but I'm glad they support iKeys.

 

[Spinarelo]

But if he's already paying his provider for that in the form of unlimited (or limited) data, why would he need to pay the car maker on top of that?

Because he's paying the provider for data on his phone, that has nothing to do with the car. You can't get one data plan from Verizon and use it on multiple devices can you? You have to pay for several data plans, one for each device

 

[phenste]

seeing this company's name is always a jumpscare

 

[dontwalkhand]

No CarPlay, No Text Message Support, but yet they can do this.

 

[KRG]

In summary, in order to be able to use my Apple Music subscription, for which I am already paying, I need to pay them $15 a month. No wonder they do not want me to have CarPlay. Currently in the market for a new car, one I can check off my list.

Unrelated to this post. You can still connect via Bluetooth and stream Apple Music; Album art, playlists and all.

 

[KRG]

But if he's already paying his provider for that in the form of unlimited (or limited) data, why would he need to pay the car maker on top of that?

He doesn’t. He can connect his phone to the car like I said above. You can connect via bluetooth and/or you can use a phone hot spot.

 

[joliver34]

nice, moving towards blowing tesla's buggy garbage out of the water

 

[KRG]

Because he's paying the provider for data on his phone, that has nothing to do with the car. You can't get one data plan from Verizon and use it on multiple devices can you? You have to pay for several data plans, one for each device

People don’t want to use logic. I get why CarPlay is desired (though I hate it) but you’re not required to pay for anything to connect your phone. People went a decade connecting their phone via Bluetooth pre CarPlay and were fine. Now everyone acts like carmakers NEED to implement Apples software or they’re evil.

 

[awshucks]

Rivian treating first-get R1 owners like Apple treated iPad 3 owners 😩
You buy an $80000 vehicle and expect it to have at least some feature updates

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Because he's paying the provider for data on his phone, that has nothing to do with the car. You can't get one data plan from Verizon and use it on multiple devices can you? You have to pay for several data plans, one for each device

Yes you can get data from one provider and use it on multiple devices. My MacBook doesn't have cell service, or my Dell laptop, or my watch, or my car, yet they all tether to my iPhone's data plan just fine.

My vehicle has the option for a paid data connection too, but I'm not going to pay it when my phone does just fine.

 

[redmac]

I'm not understanding the benefit of these iPhone keys. "...meaning you can keep your iPhone in your pocket as you approach the vehicle" I already do that with my Rivian and it automatically unlocks and let me drive without getting the phone out of my pocket or opening the Rivian app. What does this add?

I'm asking because I don't know how Rivian app works.

Does your Rivian automatically unlock even when your phone is out of battery?
Does it work when the app is not open?

The car keys in my Apple Wallet work even my phone is turned off, or out of battery.

 

[psychonaut]

First Gen R1 Owner here and this does not make me feel left out at all. I have owned the vehicle for 2 years now and while I expect future "feature" updates to slow down it is a TOTALLY different vehicle from when I bought it and for the better! Plus my quad with all its bells and whistles cost less then compared to what it would cost now.

Text messaging is coming (possibly before the end of this year - Dec 11 announcement?) and with that I'm honestly good. The Connect fee is worth it to me as it includes among other things, unlimited data AND an unlimited hotspot for any devices connected to it.

 

[yanksfan114]

But if he's already paying his provider for that in the form of unlimited (or limited) data, why would he need to pay the car maker on top of that?

Then he can use Bluetooth?

 

[jameswilby]

People don’t want to use logic. I get why CarPlay is desired (though I hate it) but you’re not required to pay for anything to connect your phone. People went a decade connecting their phone via Bluetooth pre CarPlay and were fine. Now everyone acts like carmakers NEED to implement Apples software or they’re evil.

Giving consumers a choice is a good thing. Compete on the merits of your software not by locking out any other choice

 

[longofest]

I'm not understanding the benefit of these iPhone keys. "...meaning you can keep your iPhone in your pocket as you approach the vehicle" I already do that with my Rivian and it automatically unlocks and let me drive without getting the phone out of my pocket or opening the Rivian app. What does this add?

A ton better security is what you get. Criminals have already hacked the old way of doing this with fobs, and have devices that they can use that use a relay attack to take your car key that is in your house and relay that signal to the car as if its sitting right there. You theoretically cannot do that with secure UWB ranging, which is what digital car keys use.

https://www.firaconsortium.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/FIRA-Whitepaper-UWB-Secure-Ranging-August-2022_0.pdf

 

[yanksfan114]

Carkey is great except I can’t stand the radius my EV9 has for unlocking the car when I’m walking by it. It’ll unlock if I’m within like 10-15feet of the door, meaning if I’m walking my dog or just taking out the trash, it’ll constantly unlock/lock with each pass and after I walk away. Don’t even get me started on how annoying it is when I mow the lawn and walk up and down the sidewalk several times lmao.

 

[psychonaut]

Carkey is great except I can’t stand the radius my EV9 has for unlocking the car when I’m walking by it. It’ll unlock if I’m within like 10-15feet of the door, meaning if I’m walking my dog or just taking out the trash, it’ll constantly unlock/lock with each pass and after I walk away. Don’t even get me started on how annoying it is when I mow the lawn and walk up and down the sidewalk several times lmao.

This is why I don't use proximity unlock. Instead I use a shortcut on my Apple Watch to lock/unlock etc... otherwise I would use my Rivian App, Keycard or Fob.