Rivian‘s Software Chief Wassym Bensaid has announced on Thursday that the previously delayed Digital Key will be added in its vehicles with the upcoming software update.
“Digital Key support is coming to Rivian Gen 2 with the [2025].46 update later this month!” the executive wrote on X without disclosing the exact date.
The feature, which allows owners to add their key to their digital wallet on their smartphone or smartwatch, will be available with Rivian‘s second-generation vehicles.
Previously, the digital key for first-generation R1T and R1S models worked only through Rivian‘s app over Bluetooth, rather than as a built-in system-level key.
Digital Key is compatible with Apple (iPhone and Apple Watch), Google Pixel and Samsung devices.
Rivian owners can add up to 8 digital keys per vehicle, and send a digital key to friends or family via text.
Additionally, owners can still access their vehicle even if the phone battery runs out, through the NFC technology.
Other EV Makers
Competitor Tesla does not support digital keys within the Apple Wallet (or similar systems in other OS).
The company uses its own mobile app for digital key functionality, through Bluetooth, as the first generation Rivians.
They have also developed integration for the Apple Watch, which offers a similar experience to the Wallet functions, but through Bluetooth as well.
In October, Apple announced that several automakers will soon support car keys in its Wallet app.
The list includes brands such as Lucid Motors, Nio and its Onvo sub-brand, BYD’s Yangwang, XPeng, and Geely-backed Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co.
Legacy automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and several Volkswagen Group brands are also included. Hyundai and Kia will be supported as well.
Rollout Delay
In September, Bensaid had announced that the digital key system would arrive in “an upcoming update.”
By then, Apple-focused blog MacRumors pointed out that the tech company had already enabled support on its side.
According to the blog, “the foundation was ready,” but owners still couldn’t use it as Rivian did not launch the feature.
Two weeks later, the EV maker pushed back the rollout, telling RivianTrackr that the Digital Key would not be released with the 2025.34 over-the-air update, “as it required a bit more testing.”
Previous Updates
Rivian‘s 2025.34 software update introduced improvements to its assisted driving system and home charging experience, while also fixing audio tuning issues that the company’s Software Chief previously promised to address.
By then, the EV maker said that the availability of the Enhanced Highway Assist increased up to 50% on urban and suburban highways.
Further updates on its autonomous driving software are expected to be given during the upcoming ‘Autonomy & AI Day’ event, scheduled for December 11.
In October, Rivian rolled out the 2025.38 software update, which included Halloween-related features, as traditional of the EV maker every year.
The 2025.38 software update also introduced the ‘Plug & Charge,’ feature, to which Rivian has partnered with Electrify America and Ionna’s charging networks.
Software Update to Fix Charging Issue
In November, the company rolled out a new OTA update — 2025.38.30 — aimed at addressing several issues noticed by both owners and the team.
According to the release notes, it included rare issues such as the 12V battery draining when the vehicle woke from sleep and fast-charging failures.
A major software bug, which affected an unknown number of Rivian vehicles, displayed incorrect battery charge levels, leaving drivers stranded when their cars ran out of power — despite showing remaining range.
Rivian quickly identified the problem as a software bug rather than a battery chemistry issue.
