Apple Watch As A Key works great on Gen 1 with WAAK app

[SwampNut]

I've edited this to reflect a few things learned later in the thread. Same concepts with more details.

It's beta, works perfectly for me. I used it yesterday when I let my phone battery die. Great backup.

If you can't get it to let you drive, or to do passive lock/unlock, then reboot the Watch. Also I'm on iOS 18 and may have different experiences. Others didn't have to reboot.

This sets up in the truck just like a phone but shows up as a key card. You will need to be inside the vehicle to set it up as a key. Launch the app, and it will guide you.

https://testflight.apple.com/join/ChKdkTFo

Important tip: You will need to log into your Rivian account on the Watch itself. If you use a proper password, that would suck a lot. Mine is 20 characters and very random/complex. But you can use your phone and its password manager to share the info. Just put the phone by the Watch or tap it, when you are in the login prompt, and the iPhone will prompt you to enter or share the password automagically.

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[Singletracker]

I’m a little unclear on what advantage this has, if it will not run the vehicle. Does it require the iPhone to be nearby or is it completely independent of the phone? I have the shortcuts on my Apple Watch to lock/unlock, etc., but I rarely use them. I aways have the fob with me, so I’m good when I don’t have my phone. And, the fob has proximity locking/unocking and vehicle operation. The Watch shortcuts would be somewhat more useful, if they didn‘t require the phone to be within range. Not to mention, they are very slow to respond to commands.

 

[SwampNut]

I’m a little unclear on what advantage this has, if it will not run the vehicle.

My phone was dead, which is super rare for me, but I had a crazy day. I was able to unlock it, and then charge the phone, and also reach the Rivian key card I keep hidden inside the vehicle.

Today I used it to get some things out of the truck at random. I walked outside without my phone, which I don't normally carry around the house. Just convenient.

Does it require the iPhone to be nearby or is it completely independent of the phone?

Independent, with a direct Bluetooth connection to the car.

I have the shortcuts on my Apple Watch to lock/unlock

Those require the phone. I use them constantly, such as remote starting the AC or having the frunk open before I get there.

 

[Singletracker]

If this is a direct Bluetooth connection to the car, without the presence of a phone, then that is a step forward. I’m guessing it is more responsive than the current system that routes through the phone. If it is a direct Bluetooth connection, could one use it to make phone calls or play music? I have a cellular Apple Watch Ultra. While I can make calls anywhere with the watch, it would be nice to be able to do so through the car system, and access my Apple Music, from my Watch, without the phone being present. IF all that becomes possible, then the only missing link is actually being able to operate the car. I’m no longer expecting that to be a reality with my Gen 1 R1T.

 

[3wisemonkeyz]

It’s telling me I have to remove the key from my Rivian and re-add it to make this app work??

 

[runningdenver]

Is this just to lock / unlock, or does it allow other functionality ?

I've already got widgets on my apple watch, linked with the rivian app, which allow me to lock/unlock, open the frunk, vent the windows, etc etc. This bluetooth approach has the advantage of not requiring my phone, although I'm rarely without that, so wonder if this has other functionality. thanks

 

[SwampNut]

It’s telling me I have to remove the key from my Rivian and re-add it to make this app work??

That makes no sense, and didn't happen to me. It just asked me to ADD another key, which I did inside the car. It shows up as another phone key.

This bluetooth approach has the advantage of not requiring my phone, although I'm rarely without that, so wonder if this has other functionality.

It avoids using the phone, and is ultra fast (phone shortcuts can be slow). As in my example, it's a good backup if there's a phone issue.

 

[SwampNut]

This is stupid, but also useful. I just walked outside to take our trash cans out. I don't have my phone, it's somewhere around the house. I realized the trash container in the truck is full so I wanted to empty it. WAAK made it instant, instead of the horrible nightmare of going to find where I left the damn phone in the house. The Watch is like my glasses, 100% on my body at all times when I am awake.

 

[DrBluey]

This is awesome! Thank you for sharing. I have already installed it on my watch. Will add the key as soon as I can get out of work. My wife’s phone is dead all the time, and this will be priceless for her as she always wears her watch!

 

[3wisemonkeyz]

That makes no sense, and didn't happen to me. It just asked me to ADD another key, which I did inside the car. It shows up as another phone key.

Being IN the car is clutch when doing this, thanks, it’s working now. Thanks developer for making this app!

 

[SwampNut]

Oh, right, it's the same process as phone pairing. Must be INSIDE. Reminds me to answer this...

If it is a direct Bluetooth connection, could one use it to make phone calls or play music?

No, totally unrelated. The Rivian has many bluetooth radios/sensors, maybe five. It knows if the key is inside or not, and where on the outside it is. The sensors for PAAK are not at all related to the BT system for the entertainment system. Go to your BT settings when you are near the car and it is awake. You will see the expected "Rivian Camp Speaker" and "Rivian Audio." But you probably will also see a bunch of "Rivian Sensor 1" and other numbers. I think I've seen four but not sure.

 

[prism7118]

How safe is it to enter your Rivian credentials on a 3rd party beta app?

 

[SwampNut]

I have two answers to this.

First, I simply don't give one damn. There's pretty well zero chance that some third party developer is going to snag my credentials, figure out where I live (which is not the address on the registration), and come steal my truck. Zero chance, so it doesn't matter.

But also if you're concerned with this then you need to go read the dev notes or the application's permissions documents and see if it does matter to you.

 

[zefram47]

Still surprised no one can implement this like Schlage did for their Apple HomeKey implementation. For that it supports the Express Mode on the watch like a transit pass. You can just tap your watch to the reader/door lock and it just opens without any interaction from the watch. ChargePoint did something similar with their member card and you can just tap your phone to the reader without pulling up the pay/wallet interface first and the appropriate card is just selected automagically. We don't need UWB for that functionality, assuming Apple supports the required NFC tech to interoperate with the Rivian's reader. I wouldn't expect to have low-latency with that setup, but at least it would be low-friction and work if you didn't have your phone around for proximity locking.

 

[SwampNut]

Still surprised no one can implement this like Schlage did for their Apple HomeKey implementation.

They absolutely CAN. You just wouldn't be willing to pay what Rivian would have to charge to retrofit this into the existing system. From my quick reading of the NFC readers they have, I'm pretty sure they cannot interact with active NFC; the cards are passive NFC.

(The above is an oversimplification of a complex topic, meant for average readers, if you're an RF engineer I know it's not to your level.)

Also imagine the posts when your ultra-hard Apple Watch Ultra scratches the hell out of the door from unlocking it. And personally I'd rather push a button on the watch while walking up as opposed to holding the Watch to the door. The key cards are slow and super picky about location.

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