Rivian owners will soon be able to access vehicle controls using their Apple Watch

Rivian is giving its Outdoorsy, tech-focused customers a new reason to leave their phone behind: the ability to use an Apple Watch to access key vehicle controls.

The company said on Thursday that it will roll out a companion app for the Apple Watch next week, as part of a broader update to the Rivian mobile app. With the watch app, Rivian owners will be able to perform basic functions such as locking and unlocking doors, opening windows, and triggering the vehicle's alarm.

Rivian said the Apple Watch experience will also include more precise and customizable controls. For example, users can rotate the watch's digital crown to set a target state of charge or adjust the cabin temperature. The app will also let users choose four quick controls, tailored to the functions they use most often.

However, Rivian said there are a few limitations for owners of first-generation R1T trucks and R1S SUVs. Those drivers can only lock or unlock their vehicles by opening the app and tapping the lock icon on the Apple Watch. Owners of second-generation R1 vehicles, on the other hand, will get automatic unlocking as they approach the vehicle, provided a digital key has been set up.

The Apple Watch support arrives alongside a broader vehicle software update that Rivian rolled out on Thursday.

Most of the software update focuses on performance and accessibility improvements, including a "kneel mode" that lowers the vehicle an additional inch below its prior lowest setting. The update will also allow drivers to switch between different drive modes without forcing the advanced driver assistance system to disengage.

Rivian also added a cold-weather indicator that applies a blue tint to the battery graphic on the vehicle's digital display, giving drivers a clearer view of how much battery energy is being used to warm the pack.

While Rivian manufactures and sells electric vehicles, software has become one of the company's most important products and a major selling point—not only for consumers but also for automakers like Volkswagen, which has turned to Rivian for its technology. In 2024, Rivian and Volkswagen created a $5.8 billion technology joint venture, under which Volkswagen will invest in Rivian through 2027 as certain milestones are achieved. Software produced by the joint venture is expected to be used in future vehicles across the VW Group.