My Rivian’s Phone Key System Left Me No Choice but to Use Dog Mode to Keep My Wife Comfortable in the Car

As electric vehicles (EVs) like the Rivian R1S become more and more popular, technology is transforming the way we interact with our cars. Rivian’s phone key system is one of the coolest innovations in the EV world, offering a hands-free experience where your smartphone can act as your car key. However, while this system has its advantages, it also presents some challenges that users have begun to notice. One such issue came to light recently in a post by Robert Frumkin in the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook, where he shared a funny yet frustrating experience with his Rivian R1S’s phone key system. Robert found himself in a situation where he had to rely on Dog Mode to keep his wife comfortable in the car while he ran an errand.

Robert explained: “When my wife stayed in the car while I went into the store, the only way to keep the climate on was by using Dog Mode, which was funny but not ideal.” For those who might not be familiar, Dog Mode is a feature that allows drivers to leave their pets in the vehicle while maintaining a comfortable temperature, displaying a message on the screen letting others know the pet is safe. In Robert’s case, however, Dog Mode wasn’t meant for human passengers, making the whole situation a little more comical than it should have been.

This post quickly gained attention, sparking a range of comments from fellow Rivian owners. The question was clear: Is there a better way to keep the car running for passengers without leaving your phone behind? Let’s dive deeper into this issue and explore the solutions others have shared.

The Phone Key System: A Game-Changer or a Hassle?

Rivian’s phone key system is a significant leap forward in car technology, offering convenience and seamless integration with your smartphone. By allowing your phone to act as the key, it eliminates the need for a physical key fob, which is great for minimizing clutter and enhancing the futuristic feel of the vehicle. However, as Robert’s experience reveals, this system has its limitations.

When you take your phone away from the vehicle, it disconnects the car from its key source. While this is ideal for security reasons, it creates an inconvenience for drivers and passengers who wish to keep the vehicle on, especially in situations where a passenger needs the climate control to stay on. This can happen if the primary driver has their phone on them and steps away from the vehicle, leaving the passenger without a way to interact with the car’s systems.

Robert’s situation highlights the need for a more user-friendly way to manage the phone key system. In his case, the only solution was to use Dog Mode, but as he admits, it’s not the most appropriate or efficient option for human passengers.

The Comments: What Rivian Owners Are Saying

After Robert’s post went live, several other Rivian owners chimed in with their thoughts and solutions to the problem. Some offered humorous takes on the situation, while others shared practical tips.

Mike Hoelzle, for example, took a more progressive stance on the issue. He commented, “I’m not sure what your thoughts are regarding letting women drive, vote, have their own iPhone, or show their entire face in public, but mine are pretty liberal. I gave my wife full access to our R1T by sending her a phone key, which she can use with her own phone.” This response highlights an important point: Rivian owners can share phone keys with other people, such as spouses or family members, which allows the car’s systems to stay active for both parties. It’s a great workaround, and certainly a solution for couples who want to share access to their vehicle seamlessly.

Derrick Thermopolis also weighed in with a more technical solution. He said, “If you both have the app and a key, then it would stay on. I would think everybody’s spouse would have a key to the vehicle, the biggest reason being that if you get locked out, you have somebody else remotely who can help you get back in.” Derrick’s comment highlights the practical benefits of sharing the phone key with others. Not only does it prevent situations like Robert’s, but it also serves as a fail-safe in case one person is locked out of the car or forgets their phone.

While Derrick and Mike offer helpful solutions, Matt Glandorf added a touch of humor to the discussion. “The answer is, she has her phone as a key, and then you slowly get crushed when you get back in and then have to listen to her music on the way home.” This comment pokes fun at a typical scenario in many relationships where one person is more controlling over the music playlist, but it also subtly underscores a potential downside of shared access. If both drivers have their own phone keys, it could lead to a situation where both individuals have different preferences in terms of music and settings, creating tension on long drives.

Finally, Bree Roberts-Bennett shared her experience of how she handles the phone key situation in her family’s R1T. “My husband leaves me in the R1T with our baby all the time, but it is my truck, so my phone is also a key. It does turn off when he walks away, but I just tap the screen, and it turns back on.” Bree’s solution is simple and effective, she just taps the screen to restore the vehicle’s systems. While this may not be as seamless as having the car stay on automatically, it’s a quick fix that works for her family.

Is There a Better Way to Keep the Car On for Passengers?

So, what can Rivian owners do to avoid situations like Robert’s where the car turns off when the phone key is taken away? One possible solution would be for Rivian to implement a feature that allows the car to remain on as long as a recognized phone is in proximity, even if it’s not the primary key. This way, if one person leaves their phone inside the vehicle while running an errand, the car could still recognize the secondary phone key and keep the climate controls and other systems running.

Another potential fix could involve a more customizable settings menu where drivers can choose specific vehicles or passengers to always have access to the car’s systems, even when the primary phone key is not nearby. This would allow passengers to stay comfortable in the vehicle without the need for temporary workarounds like Dog Mode.

Rivian could also consider improving the phone key app to allow for more flexibility in situations like this, offering options to manually keep the car running for a certain period or until the phone key is reconnected. This would give users more control over their vehicle’s systems, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience.

A Lesson in Flexibility and Adaptation

While Rivian’s phone key system is undoubtedly an innovative feature, it’s not without its growing pains. As electric vehicles continue to evolve, so too will the systems that power them. The feedback from users like Robert and others in the Rivian community is invaluable in helping the company identify areas for improvement. It’s important to remember that no system is perfect, and sometimes the best solutions come from user creativity and adaptability. By sharing their experiences, Rivian owners are helping shape the future of EV technology, ensuring that future updates are more user-friendly and practical for everyone.

As a moral lesson, this story reminds us that even the most advanced technologies can have limitations. While it’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t work as expected, it’s also a chance to think outside the box, share ideas, and contribute to finding better solutions for the whole community. By collaborating and adapting, we can turn even the smallest inconveniences into opportunities for growth.

For more insights into the Rivian experience and EV technology, you can check out the following articles from Torque News:

• What to Do When Your Rivian R1S Motor Starts Whining During Regen. If you’re concerned about motor issues or warning lights on your Rivian, this article provides useful advice on what to do if your R1S motor makes strange noises.
• The R1T Proposal: Making Sure Rivian Doesn't Ruin the Cool Factor of This Great Truck. For R1T owners who are thinking about future upgrades or updates, this article discusses how the truck's cool factor could be affected by design decisions.
• Epic 2,929-Mile Road Trip: Rivian R1S’s Smooth Ride and Long Nights. This article covers a road trip adventure in a Rivian R1S, highlighting the long-range and comfortable ride of the electric SUV.
• Heads Up: Rivian R1S Gen 2 Comes with Travel Air Compressor, But Is It Even Usable?. Curious about the new travel air compressor in the Rivian R1S Gen 2? This article provides a closer look at whether it’s a useful addition or just a gimmick.
• When My EV Broke Down on a Busy Highway: A Lesson in Which Car Companies Will Survive. If you're an EV enthusiast, this piece is a must-read to understand the different approaches that car companies take when it comes to roadside assistance and survival on the road.
• The Rivian Phone Key Update: Issues and Solutions. For those who’ve encountered issues with the phone key after updates, this article offers insights into potential solutions and how to deal with these common problems.

Questions for Our Readers:

• Have you faced similar challenges with the Rivian phone key system? How did you resolve it?
• What features or improvements would you like to see added to Rivian’s phone key system in future updates?

Finally, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue! Have you encountered similar challenges with your Rivian phone key system? How do you handle the car’s systems when you need to leave a passenger inside? Please share your experience in the comments below.

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.