This evening, while strolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group, I stumbled upon a post from a Rivian owner named Mary A. She had encountered a frustrating issue with her phone key after the latest software update. Like many Rivian owners, she depended on the phone key functionality for seamless access to her vehicle, but the recent update seemed to have thrown a wrench into the system. Seeking a solution, she reached out to Rivian, but the fix they suggested left her stuck on a screen with no way forward.
Mary detailed her experience, saying, “Looking for a solution to the phone key problems after the most recent update. I spoke with Rivian, who suggested deleting the phone key and re-pairing it, but now I’m stuck on this screen with the ‘Set Up’ button greyed out. I have performed both a hard reboot and a soft reboot, exited the car, walked away, and returned, but nothing works. Thanks.”
Mary’s dilemma quickly gained traction in the discussion group, with several other Rivian owners chiming in to share their experiences. Chris Cunningham commented, “This just happened to me. The initial support call didn’t resolve the issue. Then, I received a call from another Rivian employee who walked me through a much more advanced procedure, which finally worked. My issue was unusual. My phone would connect and function as a key, and I could control basic HVAC, but nothing else worked. I couldn’t see cameras, change any other settings, check the charge level, etc.”
Another owner, Khang Pham, added, “Same problem. But after a hard reboot and deleting the profile from my phone, it came back, allowing me to set it up.”
The Growing Concern Over Software Updates in EVs
Issues like these bring up a broader concern among electric vehicle owners: the impact of software updates on everyday usability. While over-the-air (OTA) updates are a fantastic innovation, allowing manufacturers to enhance functionality and fix bugs remotely, they can also introduce new problems that disrupt daily use. This is not the first time Rivian owners have faced difficulties with software-related vehicle functions. Many of us recall the case of an owner who initially blamed Rivian for an R1S key fob issue, only to realize later that it was a misunderstanding. That story is worth reading in detail here.
Beyond Rivian, other electric vehicles have encountered software update hiccups, sometimes even affecting major vehicle components. For instance, Tesla owners have faced similar challenges, where updates caused temporary disruptions to autopilot or regenerative braking features. This raises an important question: Should EV manufacturers test software updates more rigorously before rolling them out?
How To Fix The Rivian Phone Key Issue
While there is no official blanket fix from Rivian yet, community members have found some potential workarounds:
- Perform a Hard Reboot – Hold down both the brake pedal and the power button for at least 30 seconds until the vehicle powers off and reboots.
- Delete and Reinstall the Rivian App – Sometimes, the issue is not with the car but with the app itself.
- Remove and Re-Pair the Phone Key – Some users have found success by completely removing the phone key from their Rivian account and setting it up again from scratch.
- Delete Your Profile from the App – As Khang Pham suggested, removing your profile from the app and then setting it up again may help.
- Contact Rivian Support Again – If none of the above steps work, requesting a more advanced troubleshooting process from a different support representative might be the answer.
The Bigger Picture: EV Software Needs Refinement
The phone key issue is just one example of how software problems can impact an EV owner’s experience. More broadly, the industry is still refining its approach to OTA updates and software management. Battery management software is another area where updates have caused unexpected problems, such as range reductions or charging slowdowns. A recent study on electric car battery degradation suggests that despite these software issues, EV batteries may actually outlast the vehicles themselves. However, the key challenge is ensuring that software updates don’t interfere with essential vehicle functions.
This problem is not unique to Rivian. Even new technology aimed at solving the Achilles’ heel of electric car batteries has sparked concerns among EV enthusiasts. Meanwhile, other Rivian owners have reported experiencing bizarre issues after updates, like the one detailed in this account of an extremely loud heat pump noise following an OTA update.
The Moral of the Story: Be Prepared for EV Software Bugs
The lesson here is clear: While OTA updates offer many benefits, they can also introduce unexpected problems. EV owners should be prepared to troubleshoot issues on their own and share solutions within community forums. Automakers, on the other hand, should improve their customer support processes and ensure that frontline representatives have access to more advanced troubleshooting procedures.
For now, if you’re a Rivian owner facing this phone key issue, the best course of action is to try the community-suggested fixes and, if necessary, escalate your case to Rivian support.
Have You Faced Software Issues With Your EV?
Have you experienced similar software-related glitches with your Rivian or another EV? What troubleshooting steps worked for you? Share your experience in the comments below! Also, do you think EV manufacturers should take a different approach to testing and rolling out software updates? Let’s discuss it!
Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.