Rivian owners with iPhones are about to get some long-awaited love. Apple CarKey support is coming soon to second-generation R1T and R1S models, letting drivers unlock and start their trucks or SUVs with an iPhone or Apple Watch — even when the device is in low-power “Power Reserve” mode. For tech-savvy buyers, it’s a long-overdue convenience upgrade. But for many, the headline isn’t what Rivian added. It’s what Rivian still refuses to offer: CarPlay.
Unlocking With Apple, Not With Frustration
CarKey support brings features that feel native to Apple users. Owners can now add their Rivian key to the Apple Wallet, share digital keys over iMessage, and use Express Mode to open the doors or start the car without even unlocking their phone.
It’s a welcome step forward at a time when reliability headlines haven’t always been kind to Rivian — including a recent recall of a small batch of R1T and R1S models over an electrical grounding issue that caused sudden power loss. Adding Apple integration helps shift the conversation from recalls to refinement.
Apple/YouTube
CarPlay Is Still The Missing Piece
For all the excitement about CarKey, Rivian hasn’t budged on its refusal to integrate Apple CarPlay. CEO RJ Scaringe has long argued that third-party systems don’t fit Rivian’s holistic user-experience philosophy, likening CarPlay adoption to Apple running Windows. That stance hasn’t softened, even as competitors embrace Apple and Android solutions. Instead, Rivian says its own software will eventually deliver equivalent functionality.
The problem is perception. While Rivian continues to promise big steps like hands-free driving by 2026 — even in city traffic, the lack of CarPlay remains a glaring omission for buyers who spend more time syncing playlists and navigation than daydreaming about autonomy.
Rivian
Software Is The Real Story
CarKey may grab attention, but it’s part of a bigger pattern in Rivian’s tech roadmap. Earlier this summer, the company rolled out its biggest infotainment update yet, finally delivering an interface that feels as smooth as the marketing promised.
The lag that frustrated early owners is largely gone, making the system faster, cleaner, and more reliable. Combined with CarKey, Rivian’s software experience is finally catching up to its premium positioning.
My Final Word
Rivian’s new CarKey integration is a welcome update for Apple users, turning phones and watches into seamless keys. Yet the bigger question remains unanswered: why won’t Rivian give in on CarPlay? While it pushes ahead with autonomy and software upgrades, refusing the one feature many iPhone users care most about risks souring the ownership experience. For now, Rivian drivers can unlock their trucks with Apple hardware — but they can’t unlock the full Apple ecosystem.
