Rivian published a blog post on Thursday addressing its new software update, the first in 2026, in which an Apple Watch app was introduced.
The Irvine-based EV maker is moving from update 2025.46 — which expanded the company’s assisted driving software coverage to 3.5 million miles of mapped roads — directly to version 2026.03.
The new version also includes cold-weather improvements — after charging issues were detected over the past few months — and updates to Drive Modes across several iterations of the R1 models.
While Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid first announced on Wednesday that the update would be shipped “this week,” the new blog post and several bloggers’ activity on X have confirmed that it has begun rolling out this Thursday.
Tech influencer and X user ‘SnazzyLabs’ wrote on Thursday that the new update is “coming to cars old and new starting today.”
The Apple Watch app will require users to update the Rivian mobile app to the 3.9 version. The new version started rolling out earlier on Thursday.
Apple Watch App
According to the company’s blog post, Rivian owners can now use their Apple Watch to lock or unlock doors, vent windows or sound the alarm with “a simple tap.”
“For even more control, use the digital crown to set a target state of charge or adjust the cabin temperature, and the app’s customizable design lets you choose up to four quick controls for instant access to the features you use most,” it reads.
Additionally, users can also add “glanceable battery status to your chosen watch face.”
The company highlighted that customization is also shown in the watch app, similar to the mobile one.
“Vehicle color and variation is visualized in the app, and iconography, colors and controls for Climate, Energy and Gear Guard are consistent and cohesive,” it wrote.
“The Gear Guard yeti even makes its appearance on the small screen,” the company concluded.
Digital Key
With the final update of 2025, Rivian has also introduced the Digital Key — a much-awaited feature that allows owners to add their key to their digital wallet on their smartphone or smartwatch.
After being first announced in September, the company delayed the feature’s launch “as it required a bit more testing.”
Digital Key is compatible with Apple (iPhone and Apple Watch), Google Pixel and Samsung devices.
Users can still access their vehicle even if the phone battery runs out, through the NFC technology.
It is available for Rivian‘s second-generation vehicles only.
The digital key for first-generation R1T and R1S models works through Rivian‘s app over Bluetooth, rather than as a built-in system-level key.
Mobile App and OS
Last month, the Rivian App was named Best Automaker App in MotorTrend’s 2026 Best Tech Awards — for the second year in a row.
According to the publication, “one of the most impressive things about the Rivian app is how fast it works.”
“Touch the tile to unlock the doors, and your Rivian unlocks almost instantly, just as if you’d pressed a button on the key-fob remote,” they wrote.
“Quick action should be a minimum requirement, but if you’ve used other vehicle apps, you know what it’s like to press the unlock button, get a message that the command has been sent to the car, and then wait for the locks to pop 10 or 20 Mississippis later, if they ever do,” they added.
Rivian will also introduce version 2.0 of its in-vehicle operating system (OS) with the upcoming R2 SUV.
While it will not be rolling out in the next software update, it is expected to be deployed to R1 vehicles later this year, according to Wassym Bensaid earlier this month.
