In a recent survey conducted by American Trucks, about 39 percent of vehicle buyers view the absence of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay as a complete deal-breaker. This sentiment affects purchasing decisions, with 37 percent of respondents indicating they would be less inclined to choose General Motors vehicles due to the company's shift away from the feature. Tesla and Rivian also omit native support for these technologies, though Tesla appears to be reconsidering its stance while Rivian maintains its position.

Rivian has dedicated significant effort to its proprietary in-vehicle software ecosystem. The company's Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, argued in an interview that advancing AI integration renders smartphone mirroring tools like CarPlay unnecessary. He noted that customer requests for the feature have declined from an initial 70 percent to around 25 percent, suggesting the discussion around these options has diminished in relevance.

For the remaining owners who desire this functionality, EV Play provides a $425 aftermarket device that enables both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The installation process typically requires about 45 minutes and is not entirely plug-and-play. Separate video guides are available for first-generation models from 2022 to 2024 and second-generation versions from 2025 onward.

Installing EV Play on your Rivian

The procedure begins by removing the passenger-side footwell panel adjacent to the glovebox and lifting the carpet to access the infotainment control module. Two dedicated cables connect the device to the system: one fully black with matching connectors and another featuring black and purple ends. These establish the link to the vehicle's infotainment circuit.

Power connections vary by model year. First-generation Rivians utilize fuse taps, whereas second-generation models involve linking wires to the CAN bus in a precise sequence. Careful review of the provided instructions is recommended for those less experienced with vehicle electronics.

After securing all connections in the proper sequence, rebooting the infotainment display activates wired or wireless smartphone mirroring. EV Play states that proper installation avoids warranty issues, though errors leading to electrical shorts could result in coverage denial by Rivian.