Rivian is preparing to roll out Apple’s Car Key functionality to its second-generation R1 vehicles through an upcoming over-the-air (OTA) software update, as the electric vehicle maker looks to expand its digital ecosystem.
Apple first introduced Car Key in 2020, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch owners to use their devices as digital car keys. The system uses near-field communication to lock, unlock, and start supported vehicles, and it can operate in Express Mode, enabling access without unlocking the device. Automakers can choose which elements of Car Key to enable, tailoring integration to their own systems.
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Support for Rivian vehicles was first spotted by MacRumors in Apple Wallet configuration files, which contained details about the activation of the feature. Rivian later confirmed that Apple had already enabled the functionality on its side, but an official rollout requires Rivian to finalize its own system integration.
Rivian’s Software Chief, Wassym Bensaid, confirmed that the company’s “next-generation digital key” will soon be available and can be stored in both Apple and Android wallets. “This new system will be delivered in an upcoming OTA update,” he said, adding that it will initially support Rivian’s Gen 2 R1 vehicles, which recently entered production.
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Owners of earlier Gen 1 R1 models will not have access to Apple Car Key, though those vehicles continue to support Rivian’s existing “Phone as a Key” system through its app. Analysts expect Rivian to extend wallet-based key functionality to its upcoming R2 vehicle, though the company has not officially confirmed this.
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Apple’s Car Key feature is gradually expanding across the automotive industry. Currently, select vehicles from Audi, BMW, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Lotus, Mercedes, Mini, Polestar, Ram, and Volvo support the system. Apple has also announced forthcoming compatibility with Acura, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Lucid, Porsche, and Smart. Including Rivian, a total of 33 automakers globally have either adopted or pledged support for Car Key.
While Rivian has not set a launch date, the company has said the feature is “coming soon,” with the necessary framework already in place on Apple’s platform. The update is expected to make Rivian one of the latest EV makers to align with Apple’s push toward wider adoption of digital key technology.