Rivian is skipping Apple CarPlay. All of it. Standard CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra—nothing. On the latest Decoder podcast, RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s CEO, told guest host Joanna Stern that the EV maker isn’t interested in plugging Apple’s system into its vehicles anytime soon.
That’s… unusual. Most automakers treat CarPlay like a checkbox: iPhone users get it, everyone’s happy, and the car’s interface doesn’t have to work too hard. Rivian is doing the opposite.
Scaringe’s reasoning is simple: Rivian wants its cars to feel like Rivian cars, not iPhones on wheels.
The company’s software controls everything from off-road diagnostics to energy consumption tracking, and introducing CarPlay—even Ultra—could compromise that experience.
You’d end up with a dashboard that is part Rivian, part Apple, and no one really wins. Rivian believes that drivers should interact with the car, rather than just mirroring their phones.
It’s a control-and-cohesion argument, but it also reads like a subtle dig at Apple: we can do this better ourselves.
There’s also the differentiation angle. EVs are increasingly defined by software, and Rivian is betting its digital ecosystem will set it apart.
Passing on CarPlay is a statement: “We don’t need Apple to make our interface appealing.”
That’s bold. It’s also a little risky. CarPlay is familiar, dependable, and, for iPhone users, almost comforting.
By declining it, Rivian is asking buyers to trust its system instead of leaning on something they already know.
Also: Apple resisted the FBI over iPhone encryption but caved fast when ICE asked for an app’s removal
Scaringe also highlighted that CarPlay Ultra, Apple’s newer, more integrated version, is still optimized for conventional infotainment tasks, rather than the highly specialized EV experience Rivian aims to deliver.
So even Apple’s “better” option wasn’t enough. Rivian’s dashboard is about real-time efficiency, adventure-focused metrics, and energy awareness. In short, it’s built around the car, not the phone.
This is a glimpse at the evolving power struggle between automakers and tech giants. Cars are increasingly defined by their software, and every decision about which third-party systems to adopt—or reject—can shape how people experience these vehicles.
Rivian is asserting control, and it’s sending a message to both Apple and other automakers: we’re going to do our own thing, and we’ll see if the market comes along.
For anyone expecting CarPlay in a Rivian, the answer is clear: don’t hold your breath. It’s also a wake-up call for Apple, proving that even their most beloved iPhone feature can’t always crack the EV market.
I want to hear your thoughts. Rivian is taking a risk by saying no to Apple CarPlay. Do you think it will pay off?
I have driven a Rivian R1T for 17 months now and have 37000 miles. I was used to Apple Car Play on my Ford F150s for several years and I really like the Rivian approach. I am an Apple System lover even as I have most of their products and love how they work together. But, they do not make cars or trucks and I like Rivian’s system hands down. So glad they are not giving in to people who have no experience with the actual product!! All I can say, be open minded about it. I can access Apple Music and do through their system, or Spotify, or several other sources.
Hey Carl,
Totally agree. Once you’ve spent real time with Rivian’s system, it’s clear they weren’t just being stubborn — they actually built something that stands on its own. Most folks won’t get that until they’ve driven it.