Looking Stupid Waiting for the Unlock !!!!!

[atebit]

take it out of the case and hold it in your hand when you approach the truck.

Wow. Attempting to apologize for the poor implementation doesn’t make it go away. You might as well suggest carrying the fob around, or suggest Rivian retrofit physical key cylinders on the doors. Having to consistently reach into my pocket to unlock the doors means that the feature is a fail.

The purpose of PaaK is to NOT have to take your phone out of your pocket, bag, whatever. I rarely had a problem with this functionality with any of the Tesla’s I’ve owned, vs every single time with the R1, so it’s clearly possible to implement correctly.

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[Glembi2]

My truck just likes to mess with me. Hands full, phone in pocket…nothing will work until I pull the phone out. Hands empty preparing to retrieve phone from pocket and the truck wakes up and unlocks when I’m 5 feet away…..it’s just playing games

Let’s be honest. It is not the truck. It is Gary wanting attention. I used to think Gary not unlocking the truck via PAAK was because he wanted me to take a moment before driving the truck. However, during the fireworks on the 4th, he let slip his true self. He does not like to be left alone and does not like fireworks. For the first half of the show, he would make his random boop noises. During the second half, he unlocked and lit up the entire viewing crowd. Seriously Gary? I put the truck in camp courtesy mode and closed the app - something I should have done before the show.

Something that scares Gary:

 

[2kwik4u]

Give me my PAAK access to my EV or give me death, full stop.
In my view, RF solutions, e.g., ICE-age key fobs are legacy bs, meant for dumb cars, i.e., ICE cars.
PAAK and EVs are two peas in a pod, one of the greatest gifts EVs have given us.
Have used PAAK in my Tesla and now my Rivian, 5 years combined usage. If I have used PAAK 300 times, 300 times it has worked flawlessly, as intended. Nothing, absolutely nothing else, much less a worthless POS key fob beats walking up to your car, phone in pocket, and not having to do a damn thing to get in and go, or get out. Just walk normally; EV unlocks as you approach, get in, press brake pedal, EV comes to life, switch to D, off you go. In and out of your car, no fumbling for a POS device. Approach, walk away normally, not one thing to do to make it work but have phone somewhere on you.

Except when the phone isn't part of the tested software stack. Or hasn't been restarted in days, or is in the middle of trying to connect to another device, or when you jeans are too thick, or when it's raining, or when you approach from an odd angle, or when the truck is "asleep" and has to sense the BT signal, pair with it, wake up, then present door handles.

PaaK has been the single most agitating part of my EV ownership experience. It's locked me out in the rain multiple times where even the damn RFID card wouldn't work. The app doesn't connect, and the general premise that I need an app to drive a vehicle is absurd. It's a physical piece of equipment, and relying on 14 different stars to align to access it is, well, just dumb and short sighted.

If you want Paak, fine, include it as a feature, but hamstringing the entirety of physical access to a virtual software stack is a poor choice. There is ZERO reason that the two can't live happily together.

Every technology isn't perfect. ICE-age key fob bull, had better hope the battery does not die.
Besides, in my anecdotal, 100% reliable situation, should PAAK ever not work, I would just pull out my key card somewhere in my wallet. Use it, off I go. PAAK, key cards are the greatest gifts for access given to EV owners. I for one will never go back to that key fob crap.

Speaking of batteries dying, mines died twice now, and once had my wallet locked in the truck requiring a tow truck to break in so I could drive my wifes car to work the next day. You know what doesn't rely on a battery, an effing key. A physical metal key and lock cylinder. Batteries die, tech fails, mechanical solutions rarely do at this level because the problem of physical access was solved hundreds of years ago. Hell, I just setup a new PC for the wife, guess what I had to have a software KEY. it's such a ubiquitous term for access that even software adopted it. You know why? because it works.

This will be my last "app based" vehicle. The juice of not touching a "worthless POS key fob" isn't worth the squeeze of bullshit you have to fight the rest of the time.

What's even more fun. My "worthless POS key fob" doesn't work for shit either. I walk up to my $85k luxury vehicle EVERY SINGLE TIME wondering if I'll get in easily, have find an RFID card in my wallet, or have to open an app so my phone can talk to some server somewhere to talk back to my truck to open it. What an overly complex POS system that is.

 

[2kwik4u]

Having to consistently reach into my pocket to unlock the doors means that the feature is a fail.

Thank you. Glad to see another user that gets it.

 

[CarGuyCarl]

Makes you miss an old fashioned key fob and a vehicle with sensors on the handles for locking and unlocking instantaneously without anything ever coming out of your pockets.

The R1 fob behaviour is unhinged. Sometimes you're standing there for what feels like minutes. Or you've mashed unlock ahead of time 6 times hoping the handles will be out as you finally approach them lol

 

[2kwik4u]

Makes you miss an old fashioned key fob and a vehicle with sensors on the handles for locking and unlocking instantaneously without anything ever coming out of your pockets.

The R1 fob behaviour is unhinged. Sometimes you're standing there for what feels like minutes. Or you've mashed unlock ahead of time 6 times hoping the handles will be out as you finally approach them lol

I had an Audi with that system and it was the best, most consistent, keyless entry I've ever experienced. A masterclass in passive entry with a physical backup to boot.

 

[TexasBob]

Wow. Attempting to apologize for the poor implementation doesn’t make it go away. You might as well suggest carrying the fob around, or suggest Rivian retrofit physical key cylinders on the doors. Having to consistently reach into my pocket to unlock the doors means that the feature is a fail.

The purpose of PaaK is to NOT have to take your phone out of your pocket, bag, whatever. I rarely had a problem with this functionality with any of the Tesla’s I’ve owned, vs every single time with the R1, so it’s clearly possible to implement correctly.

You have a reading comprehension problem and you are being an ass. I was obviously describing troubleshooting steps to isolate whether the OP is experiencing a phone problem or a vehicle problem and then suggesting that if he establishes that it is a vehicle problem he should then open a ticket and have Rivian repair it because it is not normal behavior.

 

[AZanella]

Does Rivian have a function that allows you to unlock the car using your cell phone when you get close? (Jokes aside, it has never worked for me, and I need to unlock it using the app.) I’ve already deleted the key and recorded it again, but nothing has worked. I’ve never had any problems with my Tesla.
Some many small software issues in this car that I give up.

 

[BrayBay]

And here I thought it was just me. Had zero issues on when my phone was on Android 14, once I got the update to Android 15 I started having problems. I thought it was just me because many of my other bluetooth devices would not pick up after Android 15. My simple fix was toggle airplane mode on and off again, and that applies for the Rivian too.

...but sounds like there's something bigger at play here.

 

[theGraniteChief]

I'm on a Gen 1 and never had issues until recently. Both of our Android phones (Fold and Ultra) now struggle to unlock or start the car. At home, I don’t keep it locked, and sometimes I just sit inside waiting for it to connect. Not sure if it’s a recent phone update or a Rivian update, but either way, it's annoying.

 

[atebit]

You have a reading comprehension problem and you are being an ass. I was obviously describing troubleshooting steps to isolate whether the OP is experiencing a phone problem or a vehicle problem and then suggesting that if he establishes that it is a vehicle problem he should then open a ticket and have Rivian repair it because it is not normal behavior.

Four pages of “PaaK Is Broken”, plus there are numerous other threads about the same issue. You think it’s the phone. But I have a reading comprehension problem??

 

[SteveInBend]

ChatGPT said:

Here are some smooth, subtle ways to look more composed and less awkward while you're waiting for your car to unlock (especially if you're dealing with key fob delays, remote starts, or modern car quirks):

1. Look Like You’re Checking Something
Pretend to check your phone: Glance at your screen like you’re reading a message or checking directions. Totally normal behavior.

Fiddle with your keys: Act like you're doing something intentional—e.g., switching modes, double-checking which button you're pressing.

2. Own It with Confidence
Walk up like you expect the car to unlock on cue. If it doesn’t, act like you’re testing a setting or remote feature. You don’t look dumb—you look techy.

3. Keep Walking Slowly
If you're still approaching your car, just slow your pace slightly and keep walking as if you meant to take your time. You're in no rush, you’re just chill.

4. Inspect Something (Casually)
Look at your tires or windows like you're doing a quick check. "Just doing my responsible owner duties" is the vibe.

Wipe something invisible off the windshield or roof—adds a purpose.

5. Stretch or Adjust Something
Fix your jacket, retie a shoe, adjust your sunglasses—look like you were multitasking while heading to the car anyway.

6. Talk to Yourself Quietly (Optional)
Low-key muttering like “c’mon” or “not today” makes it seem like you're dealing with a known, minor issue—not that you're clueless.

 

[Zoidz]

I get it that when PaaK is slow/unresponsive, it's annoying. But being self-concious about "looking stupid" to others? Really? Nobody's watching ... nobody cares.

 

[TexasBob]

Four pages of “PaaK Is Broken”, plus there are numerous other threads about the same issue. You think it’s the phone. But I have a reading comprehension problem??

Yes, obviously you do have a reading comprehension problem since half the (real) responses in the 4 pages are from people saying it works and half from people saying it does not. As in (each from a different person):

• “Had zero issues on when my phone was on Android 14, once I got the update to Android 15 I started having problems”
• “PAAK (a godsend) and proximity locking work like a champ 100% of the time.”
• “Never had a problem with my Pixel 6a and my Gen1R1S. Until I got a new 9a”
• “Minimal issues with my Gen 1.”
• “iPhone 14 Pro. No real issues. Very occasionally it doesn't unlock when I approach (maybe 1% of the time), “
• “My experience with Gen 2 R1T the problem has been resolved. Works exactly the same as my 2020 Tesla Y did.“
• “I do not keep mine in my pocket when driving so most of the time it is in my hand when I approach the vehicle and it works really well. “
• “There seems to be an issue with the BT on some of the cars while others work just fine. My R1S will blink the rear break light when I'm about 20-30 feet away and open the doors when I'm 3-5 feet away.”
• “I've had it with this POS phone; every other device we have - iOS and an older Android - works flawlessly. It's the phone, not the Rivian.”

Do whatever you wish. PAAK is working well for some and not for others. A bit of simple testing can help you make the case to Rivian that it is your vehicle and not a phone-related issue (or help you discover that you have a phone issue).

 

[2kwik4u]

Do whatever you wish. PAAK is working well for some and not for others. A bit of simple testing can help you make the case to Rivian that it is your vehicle and not a phone-related issue (or help you discover that you have a phone issue).

I've gone through this.......Rivian says truck is "operating as intended" and had me reset my phone. PaaK worked for the first try, then never worked again. While I was standing at the service center. They confirmed "working as intended". As best I can tell, "intended" is synonymous with "poorly" or "not at all".

It a crap system, that's a poor design choice that is WAY more sizzle than steak. Considering Rivian is built as an "adventure vehicle" it arguably doesn't even fit the ethos of the company.

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