My Rivian Update Forced Me to Use Samsung Wallet Instead of Google Wallet, and It Exposed a Big Android Problem

There’s a very specific kind of frustration that comes from technology failing in a quiet way. Not a warning light, not a breakdown, not something dramatic enough to prepare you for what’s coming. It’s the subtle stuff. The kind of change you only notice once it interrupts something that used to work perfectly.

Digital keys fall squarely into that category. When they work, you never think about them. You walk up to your vehicle, it unlocks, and you go about your day. But when they stop working the way you expect, ownership suddenly feels more complicated than it should.

That’s exactly what happened to Deborah, a Rivian owner who recently shared her experience in the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” Facebook group. After installing a recent Rivian software update, she discovered that her Android phone no longer allowed her to use Google Wallet for Rivian’s Digital Key feature. Instead, she was forced to switch to Samsung Wallet, with no option to choose otherwise. What bothered her most wasn’t just the inconvenience. It was what the change suggested about Rivian’s support for Android users.

Here’s how Deborah put it herself:
“Digital Key and Android issue, it forced me to use Samsung Wallet, with no option to use Google Wallet. Seems Rivian needs to up their game with Android users. Any other Android users having issues with their upgrade?”

That short post quickly caught attention, and it didn’t take long for others to jump in.

A Change Nobody Asked For 

On the surface, this might sound like a minor issue. Samsung Wallet and Google Wallet are both capable platforms, after all. But Android users don’t choose their wallet apps randomly. Many people stick with Google Wallet because it ties directly into their Google account, password manager, and other devices. Losing that choice overnight isn’t seamless. It’s jarring.

What made the situation worse was the lack of explanation. There was no warning, no prompt asking which wallet the user preferred, and no clear reason given for the change. Google Wallet simply disappeared as an option. For a brand that prides itself on thoughtful design and user experience, that kind of forced switch feels out of place.

This is especially interesting given how much Rivian is investing in its software future. The company has recently made bold moves, including Rivian cutting ties with Nvidia and signaling a high-stakes push toward its own autonomy processor. Decisions like that show Rivian wants deeper control over its technology stack, but moments like this highlight how important execution is at the owner level.

Android Support Still Feels Inconsistent 

Android has always been both a strength and a challenge. Unlike Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem, Android runs across countless devices, manufacturers, and software layers. Supporting it well takes extra effort.

Deborah’s experience suggests Rivian may be leaning too heavily on “native wallet only” logic instead of offering flexibility. Another owner, Timothy, shared a similar takeaway in the comments:
“Same here. I think someone recently mentioned that it makes you use the native wallet app for whichever brand phone you have (Pixel–Google Wallet, Samsung–Samsung Wallet, etc.).”

If that’s true, it explains what’s happening, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Plenty of Samsung users intentionally choose Google Wallet. Taking that option away feels like a step backward for a vehicle that otherwise offers so much customization.

When a Small Change Turns Into a Big Headache 

For some owners, the wallet switch was just the beginning.

David shared a detailed comment that really captures how quickly a “minor update” can spiral into a serious annoyance. He wrote:
“Had the same thing happen, with Google set as default. Ran into a lot of issues getting signed back into Samsung Wallet. One-time email auth links said they worked, but didn’t. The password recovery process wanted me to enter my phone number using numbers only, but the form automatically added dashes and parentheses across multiple web browsers. It took over an hour to get logged in.”

An hour spent just trying to regain access to your own vehicle is not what anyone expects after a routine software update.

Part of a Bigger Pattern Owners Are Noticing 

I think this issue hits home for many Rivian owners because it feels familiar. Rivian moves fast, and that ambition is part of its appeal. But rapid software development can sometimes lead to updates that don’t fully consider real-world use.

We’ve seen this pattern before. Some owners have shared how early excitement faded when constant HVAC failures turned a brand-new 2025 Rivian R1T into a nightmare. Others have dealt with more serious problems, such as a critical battery failure that left a 2025 R1T stuck rebooting repeatedly, raising concerns about update testing and reliability.

Even long-term owners who still love their trucks have started offering more balanced perspectives. One R1T owner with nearly 100,000 miles recently shared what Rivian ownership really looks like after three years, praising the vehicle while also pointing out where the brand still has room to grow.

Seen in that context, a digital key issue isn’t just a one-off annoyance. It’s another reminder that software choices matter.

Digital Keys Are About Trust, Not Just Convenience 

Digital keys are supposed to make life easier. But more than that, they require trust. Owners trust that updates will improve things, not quietly remove options they rely on. They trust that platform differences will be respected. And they trust that when something changes, it will be clearly communicated.

Forcing Android users into a specific wallet without warning chips away at that trust. It makes owners feel like passengers in Rivian’s software roadmap rather than partners in the ownership experience.

The Bigger Takeaway 

As EVs become more software-defined, these moments will matter more and more. A wallet issue today could be a charging issue tomorrow or a driver-assistance glitch the next day. The more ownership depends on apps and updates, the more careful automakers need to be.

The lesson here is simple. Convenience features only work when they respect user choice and consistency. For owners, it’s a reminder to speak up when something doesn’t feel right. For automakers, it’s a reminder that even small software decisions can have an outsized impact on loyalty and trust.

Now I want to hear from you.
Have you run into any digital key or wallet issues after a recent Rivian update on Android?
And do you think automakers should give owners more control over software features like wallet integration, or is standardization the better path forward?

Image Source: Rivian Gallery

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.