Rivian owners, your phone finally becomes a real key. The company’s software chief Wassym Bensaid has confirmed that the upcoming .46 update will officially turn on Digital Key support for second-generation R1S and R1T vehicles. This isn’t just an app update; It introduces native keys that reside directly in your Apple Wallet on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
The best part? It uses both Ultra Wideband (UWB) for precise, hands-free unlocking and NFC. This NFC bit is huge because it supports Apple’s Power Reserve feature – meaning you can still tap your phone to unlock your truck for up to five hours after your battery dies.
Rivian is also increasing the limit from four to eight digital keys per vehicle, giving the whole family access. And it’s not just for Apple users; There will also be full compatibility for Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet.
Why this is important
This is a huge maturing moment for Rivian. If you’ve driven a 1st generation vehicle, you know how difficult it is to rely on the Rivian app’s Bluetooth unlocking. It worked, but wasn’t on the same level as the seamless experience offered by BMW or Tesla. It lacked the native wallet feel and precision, and it definitely didn’t work if your phone broke.
This step towards true Digital Key support closes this gap. It finally aligns Rivian with the industry’s gold standards – particularly through its use of Apple’s CarKey framework – and actually takes advantage of the updated hardware built into the Gen 2 platform.
Why you should care
Ideally, this makes life easier and less stressful. You can actually leave the bulky key fob at home without worrying that it will stop working when your phone battery reaches 0%.
It adds a layer of security and redundancy that didn’t exist before. Additionally, the ability to instantly share access via SMS is groundbreaking. If a friend needs to borrow the truck or grab something from the trunk, you can send them a key in seconds, no physical delivery required.
What’s next?
Look out for the .46 OTA update to be available for vehicles later this month. While 2nd generation owners will get the full package out of the box, 1st generation owners may be out of luck as they are missing the newer UWB hardware.
Rivian says this is just the beginning for the Gen 2 platform and signals a broader push to make the car feel more like a piece of high-tech software and less like a traditional vehicle.
