Bait and switch - frustrated with inability to use music apps without Connect+

[dallastexas92]

I love the infotainment screen in our '24 R1S, but I'm in disbelief that we can no longer use the Spotify/music apps on the infotainment screen unless we pay for Connect+. Now, you have to control the playlist, music etc on your phone (Yes, I know you can fast forward, rewind, etc on the screen, but the native app is no longer usable). When we initially leased our vehicle, we had full access to all the features, but now they're hidden behind an (expensive) subscription service, and have lost features that were initially available. What gives? Am I the only one that thinks this is ludicrous?

Additionally, are software upgrades SERIOUSLY going to be prioritized for Connect+ subscribers? Yet another reason we will not be buying this car once our lease runs out (and wish we could terminate our lease sooner...)

Sponsored

 

[waitingforrivian]

I love the infotainment screen in our '24 R1S, but I'm in disbelief that we can no longer use the Spotify/music apps on the infotainment screen unless we pay for Connect+. Now, you have to control the playlist, music etc on your phone (Yes, I know you can fast forward, rewind, etc on the screen, but the native app is no longer usable). When we initially leased our vehicle, we had full access to all the features, but now they're hidden behind an (expensive) subscription service, and have lost features that were initially available. What gives? Am I the only one that thinks this is ludicrous?

Additionally, are software upgrades SERIOUSLY going to be prioritized for Connect+ subscribers? Yet another reason we will not be buying this car once our lease runs out (and wish we could terminate our lease sooner...)

Those apps still work if you turn on hotspot on your phone and connect your Rivian to it.

 

[White Shadow]

What? That's crazy. To force a paid subscription for basic app functionality is completely nuts.

 

[godfodder0901]

I love the infotainment screen in our '24 R1S, but I'm in disbelief that we can no longer use the Spotify/music apps on the infotainment screen unless we pay for Connect+. Now, you have to control the playlist, music etc on your phone (Yes, I know you can fast forward, rewind, etc on the screen, but the native app is no longer usable). When we initially leased our vehicle, we had full access to all the features, but now they're hidden behind an (expensive) subscription service, and have lost features that were initially available. What gives? Am I the only one that thinks this is ludicrous?

Additionally, are software upgrades SERIOUSLY going to be prioritized for Connect+ subscribers? Yet another reason we will not be buying this car once our lease runs out (and wish we could terminate our lease sooner...)

Essentially you aren't paying for internet on your truck. How would the apps work without data?

Would you get mad at Roku because Netflix doesn't work without internet access?

 

[dallastexas92]

Those apps still work if you turn on hotspot on your phone and connect your Rivian to it.

Whoops meant to say that I know this is an option, but just seems like an annoying workaround for something that should be standard IMO

 

[godfodder0901]

What? That's crazy. To force a paid subscription for basic app functionality is completely nuts.

It's not. It's paying for data for those apps.

 

[godfodder0901]

Whoops meant to say that I know this is an option, but just seems like an annoying workaround for something that should be standard IMO

Why would it be standard? It requires a data connection that costs money. No other manufacturer provides this as standard.

 

[dallastexas92]

It's not. It's paying for data for those apps.

Passengers can scroll through playlists and select songs via Apple CarPlay + Bluetooth. Not sure why data is needed for this?

 

[godfodder0901]

Passengers can scroll through playlists and select songs via Apple CarPlay + Bluetooth. Not sure why data is needed for this?

Not sure the relevance here as Rivian doesn't have CarPlay but, yes, a data connection is needed for streaming music, even if using CarPlay...

 

[Scottm]

Those apps still work if you turn on hotspot on your phone and connect your Rivian to it.

Yes, I did not subscribe to Connect+ yet so my music apps stopped working today. I connected to my phone hot spot and was able to get Spotify to work but not Apple Music, which is my main source of music. I did an infotainment reset and a hard reset and still no go.

I’m going to assume this is a bug for now and wait until I get this 2025.39 update and hopefully that will fix it.

I also appreciate that Rivian gives an option to tether to our phone without Connect+ unlike Tesla and also offers a hotspot if you do subscribe to the service.

 

[dallastexas92]

Not sure the relevance here as Rivian doesn't have CarPlay but, yes, a data connection is needed for streaming music, even if using CarPlay...

I don't need a separate data plan for CarPlay and I can still use Spotify in my 2016 4Runner and select songs from our touchscreen, playlists, etc. That's what I'm getting at.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Whoops meant to say that I know this is an option, but just seems like an annoying workaround for something that should be standard IMO

Can Rivian access the connectivity and bandwidth free? AT&T is charging Rivian; why shouldn't the end user pay for that? Name one vehicle with forever internet access for me, and I'll wait.

 

[dallastexas92]

Yes, I did not subscribe to Connect+ yet so my music apps stopped working today. I connected to my phone hot spot and was able to get Spotify to work but not Apple Music, which is my main source of music. I did an infotainment reset and a hard reset and still no go.

I’m going to assume this is a bug for now and wait until I get this 2025.39 update and hopefully that will fix it.

I also appreciate that Rivian gives an option to tether to our phone without Connect+ unlike Tesla and also offers a hotspot if you do subscribe to the service.

I realize I'm being pedantic and that Hotspot is still an option, but also frustrated myself at this for a $90k car. I'm just venting on my behalf of my wife who is ready to pay out our lease just to get a different car haha

 

[godfodder0901]

I don't need a separate data plan for CarPlay and I can still use Spotify in my 2016 4Runner and select songs from our touchscreen, playlists, etc. That's what I'm getting at.

But you do have a data plan, it's just on your phone. So use that data plan and hotspot with your Rivian. That way Spotify will work the same as it did before.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I don't need a separate data plan for CarPlay and I can still use Spotify in my 2016 4Runner and select songs from our touchscreen, playlists, etc. That's what I'm getting at.

You KNEW Rivian didn't have CarPlay and wasn't going to offer it. Why did you buy one knowing that only to whine about it later?

Sponsored