Just fix the software

[mkhuffman]

Interesting. I've noticed some glitches in both Sirius XM and Apple Music at start up. Usually these issues are at home where the truck is on Wifi. The way the approach to my house is, the truck starts on Wifi, then transitions to LTE, then back to Wifi (where the driveway loops around), then finally onto LTE.

I've noticed that my favorites sometimes don't load during these intervals however, once the truck is on LTE for about a consistent minute or so, they do show up. I've always attributed this to the unique case where the software doesn't have a steady connection and time to download and buffer the data from the cloud. I don't see this as a big issue as within about a minute of leaving the house, it settles in and works consistently.

I was thinking along these lines. Where are playlist and history for Sirius stored? Locally? I don't use that service but it seems like that information would be in the cloud and synced when you reconnect to the network. So why would it disappear? I use Spotify and I can be listening to something on my phone and then it pops up in my Rivian when I get in. Sirius doesn't work that way?

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[Kaiju]

I'm afraid we're somewhat trapped by marketing forces. The ooh aaaah factor sells cars for the literal minutes potential buyers tend to have them on-hand so there's a high drive to kick new features out the door so there's just more stuff in the grab bag to woo sales. Once the test drive is over and you're an owner, well, you've largely got to put up with whatever happens until there's enough public noise that it's scaring off buyers.

Personally I'd rather Rivian operated less like a tech startup in that respect and more like a manufacturer that looks at the 15-20 year lifespan of these vehicles. Rivian is absolutely terrible about being dependent on various third parties and internet services that require constant support (and fees?) to continue working. It's an easy way to shortcut development. Not without consequences though. At some point there's some technical or financial hurdle that means end of support and not enough of Rivian's baked in software will keep working.

I still have a vehicle with a factory 2G antenna. There's nothing wrong it and it's not even old compared to the US vehicle average, but it was built using legacy tech at the tail end of a 7-year model cycle. None of its connected features work any more. People who perpetually lease or trade in every 2 years are functionally paying a 10-20k a year subscription to not have to deal with that, but ultimately it is a looming problem because when it does happen it'll hit resale and trade in values. I'd rather they made the software bulletproof rather than feature rich and that everything important like charging or navigation can still work through the truck UI without internet or a phone app.

 

[bigsky]

Sorry you have to go through all that. I truly hope that it gets better for you.

Forget the many bugs. My Rivian software issues are more "trivial" such as the dumb, half-assed, and plain stupid implementation of some features, e.g., demented Homelink, asinine MFA security, the idiotic, cartoonish, totally worthless, what-the-hell-were-you-thinking pet mascot, etc.

At least for me, I find refuge and utmost satisfaction in driving my Teslas, still the undisputed, supreme leader of masterful, largely flawless EV software integration and feature execution thereof (and just about everything EV).

 

[bigsky]

Rivian team are the B leaguers

Respectfully, you are so very kind to the folks behind Rivian software

 

[dleepnw]

As a software engineer I know how complex software is. I can’t imagine how much more so in a vehicle that integrates complex hardware with that software. That being said Rivian needs to fix its $#!t. It seems like with every update it’s 1 step forward and 2 steps back. They need to pause new feature development for a while and focus on bug fixes and performance improvements.

Rivian has a lot going on with future vehicles to its partnership with VW to its EDV business. Wassym is also the co CEO of the VW partnership. Maybe it’s spread too thin.

 

[PaythePiper]

Respectfully, you are so very kind to the folks behind Rivian software

They got my money. I’m allowed to criticize. When I don’t have to reset my car all the time, I’ll advance them to B+

 

[cwardak]

I am also with you OP. The software is one of the most disappointing things about my April 2025 build R1T. It just seems like Rivian made really bad decisions to start with and that is why we have what we have. I am not seeing any meaningful UI improvements with each month's software updates, even thought rivian claims improvements. I come from Teslas and my other car is a Mercedes EQS with carplay on a beautiful huge OLED screen. What Tesla has done with their software is incredible. Such a smooth and easy to use UI, it is a pleasure to use and is so reliable. I like it more than carplay.

I think software is one of the things that will hold the R2 back from achieving the success of Model Y. Rivian should rethink not supporting Carplay if only as a stopgap measure to make the R2 more appealing to new buyers. Then, use the time to hire a new team to rethink the software that we use every time we use our Rivians. Wassym needs to go, it's time for new leadership (poach Tesla engineers) and people who can execute and deliver a truly amazing interface.

I agree with you @rl_r1t about Tesla’s UI. I had a Model X and when I first got it I was very disappointed it didn’t have CarPlay. But once I started driving the X and using the UI I realized why they went the route they did. But also, you have to remember Tesla has had over 10 years developing the software while getting input from its drivers. Give Rivian sometime and do what I do - I share my feedback with Rivian in their App almost everyday with what I wnat to see added or updated to the software and functionality fo the Vehicle. They can’t make it better if we don’t keep giving them feedback. When ever they release a software update and you read their release nots they even give cudos to people and forums when they make updated based on feedback. That is definitely one thing I like over Tesla. Tesla doesn’t thank the people or groups that help them make their software and interface better.

 

[cwardak]

How long we gonna lean on this excuse. Rivian didn’t start last year. It’s time to raise the expectations

I have been in the Technology Consulting business for over 20 years and when and when clients would implement cutting edge software and hardware (Which is pretty much what the Rivian is) it’s takes years to get them to interact seamlessly and get the bugs out. For Rivian not only does it mean they need to make it all work harmoniously but when you‘re changino out software platforms. Like going to Google Maps and from Alex ago Google Assistance those are huge changes and take quite a bit of time. And if you ask why didn’t they just do it like that from the start - well first off Google Assistant was nowwhere near as good as Alex was 5 years ago a. But Google Assistant was bashed by critics for not have accurate information either. When it comes to maps - well not that one does have me at bit mind boggled. But even Rivian took 9 years to allow my person google maps profile to integrated with this onboard google maps too. So let’s give Rivian some slack and time to get all the peaces working the way us drivers want them. And remember we’re not gonna all get what we want.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

And remember we’re not gonna all get what we want.

*some of the people in this forum, probably.

 

[LR4toR1S]

I only recently added a profile for my wife, but my audio issues existed long before that. But I could totally see how it could cause problems. Wife's Mach-E just the other day used my profile correctly, but then connected to CarPlay with her phone...it was weird.

My Mach E does the same thing constantly. Her phone somehow has much better BT connectivity. Drives me bonkers. It doesn't care which key-fob is in hand.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Think Rivian software is bad? Picture this... ads being pushed to your screens. https://electrek.co/2025/10/10/tesla-pushes-tron-ares-ad-inside-cars-upsetting-owners/

 

[COdogman]

Think Rivian software is bad? Picture this... ads being pushed to your screens. https://electrek.co/2025/10/10/tesla-pushes-tron-ares-ad-inside-cars-upsetting-owners/

My favorite quote from the article is about the poor saps still pining for FSD updates:

Tesla owners are also upset that the automaker spent time and resources developing this software update rather than working on more significant updates, such as delivering on its long-promised full self-driving capabilities, especially on older HW3 cars, which have been left untouched for more than a year.

 

[hudesigns]

I have been in the Technology Consulting business for over 20 years and when and when clients would implement cutting edge software and hardware (Which is pretty much what the Rivian is) it’s takes years to get them to interact seamlessly and get the bugs out. For Rivian not only does it mean they need to make it all work harmoniously but when you‘re changino out software platforms. Like going to Google Maps and from Alex ago Google Assistance those are huge changes and take quite a bit of time. And if you ask why didn’t they just do it like that from the start - well first off Google Assistant was nowwhere near as good as Alex was 5 years ago a. But Google Assistant was bashed by critics for not have accurate information either. When it comes to maps - well not that one does have me at bit mind boggled. But even Rivian took 9 years to allow my person google maps profile to integrated with this onboard google maps too. So let’s give Rivian some slack and time to get all the peaces working the way us drivers want them. And remember we’re not gonna all get what we want.

Just being curious how to integrate your personal google profile (saved places, routes etc.) into onboard navigation google map. Could you elaborate so I can learn. This has been my big disappointment that I can’t use my personal favorites in Rivian onboard google map. I have 2026 R1S.

 

[mkhuffman]

Just being curious how to integrate your personal google profile (saved places, routes etc.)Could you elaborate so I can learn. This has been my big disappointment that I can’t use my personal favorites in Rivian onboard google map. I have 2026 R1S.

You have to sign into Google to get that information into Maps, and I don't think there is a way to sign in using the truck's Google Map navigation system. I think maybe he had a typo or a misunderstanding in the post you responded to. If not, I also want to know how to do it.

 

[Rade]

200+ mile road trip today, streamed travel playlist on Apple Music using the Bluetooth connection off my Android PaaK. NOT ONE ISSUE. Good sound quality, DID NOT HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH THE VOLUME CONTROLS.

Use the Rivian head unit app... prominent, uneven volume between songs, but it still only plays no more than three songs and it stops working. It's the Rivian app.

Worked fine before they started futzing with it.

I wish... for WTF I am paying in subscription to Apple Music, that it would work AS ADVERTISED on the Rivian head unit.

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