A dedicated Apple Watch application from automaker Rivian is set to enable vehicle locking, unlocking, window adjustment, and much more, even on cars from 2021.
Apple's Car Key feature has let iPhone and Apple Watch owners unlock and start their cars using mobile devices since 2020. The capability is built into iOS and is supported by more than 30 car companies, including Cadillac and other GM brands.
However, certain car manufacturers, like Tesla, offer proprietary mobile apps that facilitate the same vehicle locking and unlocking functionality. Now, Rivian is set to be the next brand to introduce a vehicle-related application for the Apple Watch, with added functionality.
As noted by 9to5mac, the planned Apple Watch application is expected to support capabilities such as cabin temperature and window adjustment. It will also let Rivian users sound the alarm or set a charging target, right from their wrist.
Older Rivian vehicles, namely those from the 2021 through 2024 model years, will support locking and unlocking via the automaker's Apple Watch app. This puts them in a position similar to Rivian models from 2025 and later, which can already be unlocked via Apple's digital Car Key feature.
Rivian's 2026.03 software update release notes, posted by the site RivianTrackr, indicate an Apple Watch app is in the works, along with a new version of the iPhone app.
"The latest Rivian mobile app update includes a companion app for your Apple Watch," reads the description. "This allows you to remotely access and control your vehicle from your Apple Watch."
Personalization options will be available in Rivian's new app as well, letting users select up to four quick controls for instant access to their most-used features.
The release of Rivian's new Apple Watch app is tied to version 3.9 of the iOS app, which is not yet available on the App Store. The company's plans for a dedicated Apple Watch app come as no surprise, given that Rivian similarly rejected CarPlay in favor of its own interface.
