Using Phone as NFC Key (like card)

[Tony de Veyra]

While Car Camping in the R1S, I keep the bluetooth locking and unlocking ability disabled, as the car will tend to unlock itself while I'm sleeping in it with my phone. Unlocking and locking the car with the app works reasonably well, but there are times when I might forget, and it's also a little inconvenient to fish out the phone, unlock the phone, root through menus to pull up the app. etc.

Anyways, I was wondering if there was a way that I could have my phone work like an NFC key, the same way the rivian key card works. So it will only lock/unlock when I hover my phone right next to the door handle. That would be an awesome little in between solution. Would also be cool if this could be done with a smartwatch in the future.

Another potential improvement would be if there is Rivian widget so that a lock/unlock button for my R1S could exist either on my phone homescreen, or even better straight up on the lock screen.

curious what any of you all have figured out.

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[tbinmd]

Not yet. The next update will have Apple CarKey for iPhone that will use the NFC key feature of the phone. The NFC key feature is coming to android also.

Hopefully it's in the next 2-3 weeks.

 

[Tony de Veyra]

Not yet. The next update will have Apple CarKey for iPhone that will use the NFC key feature of the phone. The NFC key feature is coming to android also.

Hopefully it's in the next 2-3 weeks.

sounds like that's coming just for iPhone, not for apple watch, too? I own neither right now, but am thinking about upgrading my 4.5 year old samsung galaxy into an iPhone 17...

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

sounds like that's coming just for iPhone, not for apple watch, too? I own neither right now, but am thinking about upgrading my 4.5 year old samsung galaxy into an iPhone 17...

No details have been announced and it’s for gen2 only. See release notes for upcoming OTA. If they do it for iPhone there is a good chance there is a Watch component.

 

[Jeff M]

Not yet. The next update will have Apple CarKey for iPhone that will use the NFC key feature of the phone. The NFC key feature is coming to android also.

Hopefully it's in the next 2-3 weeks.

We need the entire ApplyPlay. Rivian needs to take the lead and become car technology manufacturer that provides vehicle systems information, and the ability to bring what ever multimedia infotainment system to use in the vehicle. Apple, Google, Android.... are much better suited for infotainment, and most of us use our handheld devices for information, maps, music, contacts, and oh yeah....telephone calls. Just pair, and go!

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

We need the entire ApplyPlay. Rivian needs to take the lead and become car technology manufacturer that provides vehicle systems information, and the ability to bring what ever multimedia infotainment system to use in the vehicle. Apple, Google, Android.... are much better suited for infotainment, and most of us use our handheld devices for information, maps, music, contacts, and oh yeah....telephone calls. Just pair, and go!

Just had to give that dead horse another shellacking eh?

 

[lefkonj]

We need the entire ApplyPlay. Rivian needs to take the lead and become car technology manufacturer that provides vehicle systems information, and the ability to bring what ever multimedia infotainment system to use in the vehicle. Apple, Google, Android.... are much better suited for infotainment, and most of us use our handheld devices for information, maps, music, contacts, and oh yeah....telephone calls. Just pair, and go!

What is the CarPlay thing you speak of? This is as likely as Gen1s getting Enhanced Highway Assist.

 

[VSG]

There is a widget.

 

[Jeff M]

Just had to give that dead horse another shellacking eh?

Interestingly to me at least is Rivian is going to "help" the VW Group with their software. Supposedly integrating some of the zonal concepts Rivian employs with Gen 2 R1T and R1S. VW Group leads Rivian in driver's assist recognizing more roads than Rivian, and the VW group allows Apple CarPlay and Android to exist and work with VW Group's "MMI". I know because I'm keeping my 21 Etron Prestige. The dash presentation is far more appealing than my R1S in the middle screen. And, I can turn off the middle screen and climate control screens leaving essential information behind the steering wheel and on my HUD. But....I do like the R1S. The 1-pedal driving is addictive and performs equally well compared to the Etron's driver's assist. And I believe and hope Rivian can become more open to fully integrating Android and ApplePlay to their systems.

 

[Flyedouglas]

You can use the widget to add buttons to your Lock Screen. What I did…
Bottom left is Lock/unlock
Bottom right is climate on

 

[PhatDaddy]

Just FYI:
“We need the entire ApplyPlay Apple CarPlay.”
“ integrating Android and ApplePlay Apple CarPlay”

 

[Jeff M]

Just FYI:
“We need the entire ApplyPlay Apple CarPlay.”
“ integrating Android and ApplePlay Apple CarPlay”

Thanks yes Apple CarPlay

 

[chrismc]

Not yet. The next update will have Apple CarKey for iPhone that will use the NFC key feature of the phone. The NFC key feature is coming to android also.

Hopefully it's in the next 2-3 weeks.

This is incorrect. Rivian has chosen to only implement the UWB variant of Apple CarKey in the upcoming release and not the more common NFC implementation. This choice gatekeeps the CarKey functionality to only newer Gen2 models which have the UWB hardware.

Rivian has not communicated any intention of using the NFC hardware for any features beyond the current key cards and wristband keys.

 

[Great Gatsby]

If you get a newer iphone with the action button, you can program it with a shortcut to open your Rivian. You can do the same with the Apple Watch Ultra and assign its action button as a shortcut to open your car, frunk, start climate, etc.

Did I upgrade to an Apple Watch Ultra just for that? No. Well that and the longer battery life lol Very helpful in a pinch though, specially when the phone is not within easy reach.

 

[tbinmd]

This is incorrect. Rivian has chosen to only implement the UWB variant of Apple CarKey in the upcoming release and not the more common NFC implementation. This choice gatekeeps the CarKey functionality to only newer Gen2 models which have the UWB hardware.

Rivian has not communicated any intention of using the NFC hardware for any features beyond the current key cards and wristband keys.

Maybe the MacRumors article was wrong? Or just talking in general. I know the CarKey supports both types of authentications, according to the developer documentation. Guess we will just have to see what's been implemented.

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/28/rivian-activates-apple-car-key-support/

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