Rivian will launch a standalone Apple Watch app in its 2026.03 software update, bringing digital key access to older vehicles for the first time. The app arrives with Rivian mobile app version 3.9 and delivers full vehicle control from the wrist.
Owners gain lock/unlock, window venting, alarm activation, climate adjustment, and charging target setting through the watch interface. The Digital Crown handles temperature and charge level adjustments, while users can customize four quick-access controls for their most-used functions.
First-generation Rivian vehicles built between 2021 and 2024 receive Apple Watch-based digital key functionality through the new app. These models previously lacked the Ultra-Wideband hardware required for Apple Wallet integration.
The app must remain open for key operations on Gen 1 vehicles, unlike newer models with passive entry.
Second-generation Rivians from 2025 onward already support Apple Wallet digital keys through a December 2025 update. Those vehicles maintain passive entry capabilities without requiring the watch app to be active. The new app extends similar convenience to earlier adopters through a software workaround.
Rivian's move follows Tesla's Apple Watch app launch over a year ago. Both companies continue to avoid Apple CarPlay integration despite customer demand, though Tesla reportedly develops CarPlay support. Third-party solutions like the WaaKey app previously filled Rivian's watch functionality gap.
The Apple Watch app automatically installs when users update to Rivian mobile app version 3.9, requiring Apple Watch Series 6 or newer hardware with no subscription fees or additional purchases. Digital key functionality operates through Car Connectivity Consortium standards for offline operation and low-power reserve access.
RivianTrackr release notes confirm the app's inclusion in the 2026.03 update, though the feature remains pending App Store availability.
The update represents Rivian's most significant Apple ecosystem expansion to date, providing practical convenience for owners juggling groceries, children, or workouts where phone access proves inconvenient. Cellular-equipped Apple Watch Ultra and Series models enable vehicle control without iPhone proximity, delivering one of the most complete wearable vehicle control implementations from any automaker.
