Rivian Owners Will Soon Be Able To Access Vehicle Controls Using Their Apple Watch

Rivian Apple Watch Integration Puts Vehicle Control on Your Wrist

Rivian owners can now manage key vehicle functions directly from their Apple Watch. The new companion app, launching next week as part of a broader mobile app update, enables wrist-based control for locking doors, venting windows, triggering alarms, and adjusting climate settings. If you own a Rivian R1T or R1S and wear an Apple Watch, this integration streamlines daily tasks without reaching for your phone. Here's exactly what the feature does, which vehicles support it, and how to get started.

Credit: Rivian

What the Rivian Apple Watch App Can Do Right Now

The Rivian Apple Watch app focuses on practical, high-frequency actions that EV owners use daily. With a tap or a turn of the digital crown, drivers can lock or unlock their vehicle, vent windows for fresh air, or activate the alarm for added security. Temperature adjustments happen intuitively: rotate the crown to raise or lower cabin heat, then confirm with a tap.

Customization sits at the core of the experience. Users can pin up to four quick-access controls based on personal preference—whether that's pre-conditioning the cabin, checking charge status, or activating camp mode. The interface prioritizes glanceable information, showing battery level, estimated range, and vehicle status without overwhelming the small screen.

For outdoor enthusiasts who frequently load gear or adjust settings with hands full, this wearable integration reduces friction. Imagine approaching your R1T with arms full of camping equipment: a quick wrist gesture unlocks the frunk, no phone required. The design philosophy emphasizes speed and simplicity, aligning with Rivian's adventure-oriented brand identity.

How to Set Up Apple Watch Control for Your Rivian

Getting started requires minimal steps, assuming your devices meet basic requirements. First, ensure your Rivian mobile app is updated to the latest version on your iPhone. Next, open the Watch app on your iPhone, scroll to the Rivian listing, and enable installation. Once the companion app appears on your Apple Watch, pair it by logging into your Rivian account.

Digital key setup is essential for seamless functionality, particularly for automatic unlocking features. Navigate to the Keys section in your Rivian mobile app, follow prompts to enable phone-as-key, and confirm your Apple Watch is recognized as a trusted device. This process typically takes under five minutes and only needs to be completed once.

Troubleshooting tips: if controls don't respond, check Bluetooth connectivity between your watch and phone, verify your Rivian account credentials, and ensure your vehicle has cellular or Wi-Fi signal. Rivian's support documentation provides step-by-step visuals, and over-the-air updates mean improvements arrive automatically without dealer visits.

First-Gen vs. Second-Gen Rivian: Key Differences in Watch Support

Hardware generation affects how smoothly the Apple Watch integration works. Owners of first-generation R1T trucks and R1S SUVs can lock or unlock their vehicle, but only by opening the app and tapping the lock icon on the Watch. Automatic proximity unlocking—where the car recognizes your approach—is not available on these earlier models.

Second-generation R1 vehicles, built with updated electronic architecture, support hands-free unlocking when a digital key is active. As you approach with your Apple Watch, the vehicle detects your presence and unlocks automatically. This distinction matters for users prioritizing convenience, especially in rain, snow, or when carrying items.

Rivian has not announced hardware upgrades to enable proximity unlocking on first-gen models, so this limitation likely reflects underlying sensor and communication differences. Still, core functions like climate control, charge monitoring, and alarm triggering work consistently across both generations, ensuring broad utility regardless of your vehicle's production date.

Beyond the Watch: Software Updates Enhance Performance

The Apple Watch app arrives alongside a wider vehicle software update rolled out this week, signaling Rivian's commitment to iterative improvement. One notable addition is an enhanced "kneel mode" that lowers the vehicle an additional inch below its previous minimum height. This refinement aids entry for passengers with mobility needs and simplifies loading heavy gear into the bed or frunk.

Drivers can now toggle between drive modes—All-Purpose, Sport, Off-Road, or Conserve—without disengaging the advanced driver assistance system. Previously, switching modes would temporarily pause features like adaptive cruise or lane centering. This change preserves safety net functionality while allowing quick adaptation to changing road conditions.

Cold weather drivers benefit from a new battery visualization tool. When temperatures drop, the vehicle's display adds a subtle blue tint to the battery graphic, indicating how much energy is allocated to warming the pack. This transparency helps owners plan charging stops and understand range fluctuations during winter months, reducing anxiety about cold-weather performance.

Why Wearable Integration Matters for EV Owners

Smartwatch connectivity isn't just a novelty—it reflects a broader shift toward contextual, frictionless vehicle interaction. For EV drivers managing charging schedules, climate pre-conditioning, and remote diagnostics, having glanceable controls on the wrist reduces cognitive load. Instead of unlocking a phone, launching an app, and navigating menus, critical actions happen in one or two taps.

This integration also supports accessibility. Users with limited mobility or dexterity challenges benefit from larger, simplified watch interfaces and voice command compatibility. Rivian's approach—prioritizing customizable quick controls—acknowledges that one-size-fits-all menus rarely serve diverse user needs effectively.

Looking ahead, wearable integration could expand to include health-aware features. Imagine your watch detecting elevated stress levels and suggesting a calming drive mode, or syncing with calendar events to pre-condition the cabin before a scheduled departure. While speculative, these possibilities highlight how vehicle-wearable ecosystems may evolve beyond basic remote commands.

Getting the Most From Your Rivian Wearable Experience

To maximize value from the Apple Watch app, take time to personalize your quick controls. If you frequently pre-heat the cabin on cold mornings, pin that function. If you often check charge status while shopping, make that a one-tap action. Small customizations compound into meaningful time savings over weeks of use.

Keep your software current. Rivian deploys improvements via over-the-air updates, and wearable features often receive refinements after initial launch. Enable automatic updates in your mobile app settings to ensure you benefit from performance tweaks and new capabilities as they arrive.

Finally, share feedback through the Rivian app. The company has a track record of incorporating owner suggestions into future releases. If you'd like to see additional watch complications, haptic confirmations, or Siri shortcut support, your input helps shape the roadmap. This collaborative approach strengthens the owner experience and reinforces trust in Rivian's long-term vision.

The Rivian Apple Watch integration represents a thoughtful step toward seamless, human-centered vehicle control. By focusing on high-utility actions, respecting hardware limitations transparently, and bundling the feature within broader performance enhancements, Rivian delivers tangible value without overpromising. For owners who live actively and tech-forward, having command of their electric adventure vehicle on their wrist isn't just convenient—it's empowering. As wearable and vehicle ecosystems continue converging, expect these integrations to become not just differentiators, but expectations. Rivian's latest update positions the brand firmly at that forefront.