Rivian’s digital key made the wallet app another way into a vehicle
The December 2025 software rollout applied to second-generation vehicles and depended on compatible devices.
On December 18, 2025, Rivian said its 2025.46 update was bringing a digital key to second-generation vehicles. Owners could add it to compatible Apple, Google Pixel or Samsung wallets and share access. [1]
Rivian said the feature required app version 3.8.0 or later, used a Car Connectivity Consortium standard and supported passive entry on compatible devices. Individual delivery dates were not established. [1]
A later May 2026 update for the R1S Gen 2 listed a fix for a rare passive-locking problem involving multiple digital keys. That release note illustrates that a wallet key is software-dependent, rather than proof of a problem with every vehicle. [2]
Owners should check the manufacturer’s current instructions for compatible devices and for adding or removing shared access, especially before replacing a phone or relying on a wallet as the only way into a vehicle. NewsTumble has not independently tested the feature. [1]
In September 2026, GM announced its own phased digital-wallet key rollout for selected Cadillac vehicles and described controls for removing access. That later program is separate; its compatibility and controls should not be assumed to apply to Rivian. [3]
Sources and verification
- Rivian: 2025.46 software update and digital key ↗
Published December 18, 2025 · reviewed October 28, 2026 - Rivian: R1S Gen 2 software version 2026.15 update details ↗
Published May 11, 2026 · reviewed October 28, 2026 - General Motors: GM digital-wallet keys announcement ↗
Published September 23, 2026 · reviewed October 28, 2026
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