Rivian’s R1T and R1S Lack Streaming Apps, Owners Resort to USB Workaround

Rivian’s R1T pickup and R1S SUV are regarded as top-tier electric vehicles (EVs) priced over $70,000, but they are not without their shortcomings. Despite offering a plethora of features, including advanced technology and luxurious amenities, Rivian has yet to integrate popular streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, or Amazon Prime into the vehicles’ main screens.

The absence of these services has been a point of contention for some time, with Rivian acknowledging the demand but failing to deliver thus far. According to a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with the company’s head of software development, the feature has been on the roadmap for approximately two years but has yet to materialize.

See also: Rivian Introduces Standard Battery Pack and Enhanced Range Option for R1T and R1S Electric Vehicles

Currently, R1T and R1S owners can access audio streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn, and Amazon Music through the vehicles’ infotainment system. Bluetooth connectivity is also available as standard, although streaming video from a smartphone through Bluetooth is not a practical option.

The lack of streaming services may seem trivial, but it becomes more apparent during downtime, such as when waiting for the EV to charge at a public station. Tesla has addressed this issue by offering native YouTube and Netflix integrations in its EVs, providing entertainment options while charging.

However, Rivian owners have found a workaround to this limitation, albeit an unconventional one. By leveraging Rivian’s Gear Guard system, similar to Tesla’s Sentry Mode, users can copy video files to the USB stick used for storing dashcam videos. These videos can then be played on the car’s center screen, providing a makeshift entertainment solution.

See also: Rivian Conducts Cold Weather Testing on Potential R1T Pickup Truck Refresh Models

Despite this workaround, there are drawbacks, including the inability to play videos in fullscreen, compatibility issues with certain video formats, and the need to download videos before playback. Additionally, this method may be temporary, as it could be disabled in future software updates from Rivian.

The discovery of this workaround was shared by a Reddit user on the r/Rivian subreddit, highlighting the steps to enable video playback on the infotainment system. While this solution provides a temporary fix for Rivian owners, it underscores the need for Rivian to address the demand for streaming services in a more integrated and user-friendly manner in future updates.

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