DIY Rivian Work Station Setup: Tripod Desk and iPad Hack

Rivian Mom · 2025-05-15T14:45:12+00:00

I've been using my phone's hotspot for months, and my Rivian connects to it automatically to run TuneIn and Spotify through the built-in apps on the main display. To be clear, this wasn’t Bluetooth streaming but actual phone data, and the apps worked perfectly without any issues. In Monday for the first time, I saw a Connect+ message pop up, even though the truck was linked to my phone’s data. I can still stream from my phone using Bluetooth, but the sound quality and user experience weren’t as good. This issue started between over-the-air software updates, though it might be tied to a specific date in the system. I tried a soft reset, but nothing changed. Has anyone heard if Rivian changed their policy on this? I remember Connect+ used to mention it provided "data" for streaming apps, suggesting you could use your own data instead. Now, it seems like you need Connect+ just to access the apps at all. I was surprised they allowed phone hotspots to work before, so this might be a deliberate change. I’m okay with paying for Connect+ if this isn’t just a temporary glitch. Any insights would be appreciated.

Rivian Mom

Active Wheeler

Wednesday at 12:26 PM

#1

I was just thinking out loud about how many Rivian R1S owners might want to work from their vehicle but aren’t sure how to make it happen. Since I travel a bunch and need to stay productive, I came up with a setup that works for me. I took a stairwell tread, cut it in half, and screwed a tripod 1/4” receiver plate to the bottom. It connects to my travel tripod to create a small, sturdy desk in the backseat.

For a second screen, I use my 13” iPad, which I attach to the coat hanger with a magnet mount to act as an external monitor. It’s not the same as my dual 27” monitors at home, but it gets the job done when I’m working on the go. It’s a simple setup that’s been super handy for me.