is iPhone app quality going down?

[jambosRivian]

I've owned my Rivian R1T for almost two years. Generally, I've been really impressed by the software interface and user experience. (Especially having owned Teslas prior) However, fundamental things seem to be breaking, maybe as they develop more infotainment etc. Workarounds to bugs, and even recommendations from Rivian support, suggest uninstalling and reinstalling the app; hard resetting the vehicle; delete and recreate keys; etc. Two things I'm noticing are iPhone keys, and inability to set charge levels. I can't think of anything more fundamental to an EV in the software space. All this might be ok with a music or social media app. It's unacceptable for something that gets me to and from work or depended on for long distance travel.
Sounds like a bit of a rant, but it's a true concern.

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[Ecupip]

Not to jinx it, but I haven't had any of those issues. The iPhone app and key have always worked for me. Quad owner of 2+ years.

 

[R1TandMe]

So we have conflicting reports here. What is the difference between the two? Something in OP’s iphone that Ecupip does not have? So did Rivian test for all of the possible variations. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[racekarl]

What's the difference between "No" and "No change?" They seem like the same answer to me.

The charge limit change thing is a known issue introduced in the last (vehicle) software update.

 

[SANZC02]

Started with iPhone 12 Pro Max, replaced a couple of months in with iPhone 14 Pro Max, have no issues with my app, works as reliably as the Tesla app on the same phone

 

[Rivdog]

Phone as a key has gotten progressively more frustrating and less reliable over the 2 years I’ve had it. I suspect it’s related to Rivian’s efforts to reduce vampire drain, but it’s been worse than ever over the past few updates. I just sit there with Gary doing his gear guard thing for 20+ seconds sometimes before I give in and try to unlock via the app.

 

[SANZC02]

Phone as a key has gotten progressively more frustrating and less reliable over the 2 years I’ve had it. I suspect it’s related to Rivian’s efforts to reduce vampire drain, but it’s been worse than ever over the past few updates. I just sit there with Gary doing his gear guard thing for 20+ seconds sometimes before I give in and try to unlock via the app.

Just curious, do you have phone in your hand?

I do not keep my phone in my pocket when driving so 99% plus of the time it is in my hand when approaching the vehicle and I never have an issue with it unlocking. On rare occasion if my hands are full and phone is in my back pocket I have had to turn around so my back pocket is near the door and it opens.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

Just curious, do you have phone in your hand?

I do not keep my phone in my pocket when driving so 99% plus of the time it is in my hand when approaching the vehicle and I never have an issue with it unlocking. On rare occasion if my hands are full and phone is in my back pocket I have had to turn around so my back pocket is near the door and it opens.

same and also "seems" to work better when upright - top of phone pointing upwards

 

[mkg3]

My observation is that the quality and the effectiveness of the iPhone app has not changed. It lacks features and when compared to my Tesla app, its inferior.

That said, using PAAK, it makes a big difference where on your body the phone is carried (e.g., back pocket, front pocket, in your hand, in a purse, ...), as well as the approach angle.

I find it approaching from rear is more consistent than approaching directly from the front. Probably has something to do with where the receiver is on the vehicle side, rather than the phone.

I started out on iPhone 12 Pro and now have been on 15 Pro since its intro. I did noticed more of consistency improvement using PAAK in one of the firmware updates sometime mid last year.

My belief is its a vehicle thing and not a phone thing.

 

[dradam]

iphone 15 pro--- works best when not in my pocket but no major issues.

 

[RIVINTUP]

I've owned my Rivian R1T for almost two years. Generally, I've been really impressed by the software interface and user experience. (Especially having owned Teslas prior) However, fundamental things seem to be breaking, maybe as they develop more infotainment etc. Workarounds to bugs, and even recommendations from Rivian support, suggest uninstalling and reinstalling the app; hard resetting the vehicle; delete and recreate keys; etc. Two things I'm noticing are iPhone keys, and inability to set charge levels. I can't think of anything more fundamental to an EV in the software space. All this might be ok with a music or social media app. It's unacceptable for something that gets me to and from work or depended on for long distance travel.
Sounds like a bit of a rant, but it's a true concern.

Same here, no issues with either.

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

Phone as a key has gotten progressively more frustrating and less reliable over the 2 years I’ve had it. I suspect it’s related to Rivian’s efforts to reduce vampire drain, but it’s been worse than ever over the past few updates. I just sit there with Gary doing his gear guard thing for 20+ seconds sometimes before I give in and try to unlock via the app.

I cannot say my paak has gotten worse, but it IS worse than my Samsung 23 ultra was. My experience is similar to Rivdog’s. I’ve had my 16 pro max for 2 monthsmore than 70% of the time I have to watch Gary recording me.

I understand each vendor has a different implementation for their s/w, and how it all works, but this is annoying when it is under 20•. I should not have to hold my phone for the unlock to work or worse, press the unlock icon.

With the droid the doors would unlock when I was around 15ft or so from my T, and yes it was in my pocket or in my wife’s purse.

FYI: My numbers are guesstimates since I was not tracking the process.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

App works fine for me on my iPhone 15 pro

 

[Zoidz]

I have had no issues, and I think for me it has improved slightly over the past 19 months I have been using it. iPhone 13 Pro.

Try to narrow it down. For example - setting charge levels - does it occur randomly, or only when you are on WIFI and not on cellular, etc. There's one other reset than I have seen fix communication issues - "Reset Network Settings" in the iPhone. It does wipe out all your saved Wifi networks, Bluetooth devices, etc. You will have to recreate everything.

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

Can't go down when you start at the bottom.

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