EV automaker Rivian says its next over-the-air update, version .46, will finally bring native digital car key support to its Gen 2 vehicles (sorry Gen 1 owners), letting drivers unlock and start their trucks using Apple, Google, and Samsung phone wallets.
Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s software head, said the feature will roll out later this month. Unlike the current system, the new keys live directly inside a phone’s native wallet app, meaning you don’t need to open Rivian’s app to get in or start driving. The system uses Ultra-wideband for more precise location sensing, supports Apple Watch unlocking too, and can still open the vehicle through NFC even if your phone battery dies (up to 5 hours later thanks to reserve power).
Rivian says digital keys can also be shared through a simple text, allowing someone else to walk up, unlock, and drive immediately. Each vehicle will support up to eight digital keys (double than before), making it easier for families or groups to manage access.
The update marks Rivian’s first major expansion into native wallet-based keys, putting it more in line with what BMW, Hyundai, and others already offer. Tesla needs to add support for Apple’s digital car keys as the company’s newest vehicles support UWB, but for now the phone keys rely on Bluetooth.
Rivian has a special event coming on December 11, where it is teasing, “join us for the next big leap.” So far, the company has two vehicles available in Canada, the R1S SUV and R1T electric truck, with prices starting from $140,900 CAD and $129,900 CAD, respectively (yeah, they’re not cheap).
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