OBD2 tools for iPhone (apps & scanners)

[Muffduster]

Anyone have experience with OBD2 tools for iPhones? I'm talking apps and the wireless (Bluetooth or wifi) scanners that plug into the OBD2 port.

Which apps are good and which scanners are good?

 

[shockwave]

Tried a launch version could not communicate generic mode

 

[Advan]

I have this:

http://www.amazon.ca/Panlong-Wireless-Diagnostic-Android-Symbian/dp/B00JQW9NCE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439554886&sr=8-2&keywords=wifi+obd2


And the app I use is call "OBD Fusion". It won't do ABS and trans codes, but works great for everything OBD2, and the customizable displays are great for helping to diagnose problems. With a good phone mount in your car, you can (have a passenger) watch the live readouts while you drive. It doesn't refresh as quickly or smoothly as a wired scan tool, but for about a $40 investment, I'm very pleased. Just make sure you get a wifi dongle if you're using it iwth an iPhone!

 

[madison069]

I actually went with OBDCOM and got the PC version. I've used it on a 2003 Ranger, 2006 Toyota Sienna, and a 2000 Jaguar s-Type. It worked and it provided live data from the sensors.

 

[Muffduster]

Let's stick to Apple iPhone/iPad. Not interested in PC.

 

[Trey T]

I have KIWI wifi with Dashcommand app

 

[Muffduster]

Which is better.....Bluetooth or wifi dongles?

 

[rlitman]

Which is better.....Bluetooth or wifi dongles?

I do not believe iPhones will talk to Bluetooth obd dongles. You need an Android for that.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/ot2.php

Been using this for... since before I bought my Magnum 2 1/2 years ago, works great!

 

[Trey T]

Which is better.....Bluetooth or wifi dongles?

for iPhone, you have to get the wifi. The bluetooth is for Android.

 

[geaugafletcher]

This 'dongle':

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QJRYMFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Plus the iPhone app "EngineLink" works with Bluetooth 4.0 if you have a recent enough phone to take advantage. I'm a bit disappointed in the refresh rate, but it works well enough. The app is likewise kinda klutzy but workable.

 

[tweedlestan]

What's a good option for Android?

 

[TheOtherChris]

What's a good option for Android?

I use Torque Pro on my android.

 

[timbitca]

What's a good option for Android?

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00EFMI100/?tag=atomicindus04-20

I'm waiting for delivery on this. Friend of mine has been using it with Torque Pro for 2-3 years. I've got about 12$ Google Credit built up and that will be plenty enough for the 5$ Torque Pro app. Beats a 200$ reader from the store for occasional use.

 

[engineer2]

Very useful thread! I'm thinking about switching from Android to iPhone, but I need to be able to use a OBDII bluetooth scanner. Is it an app issue?

 

[pozidriv]

iPhone's bluetooth protocol is 'different' from the more conventional one used in android, so it won't pair up with your standard obd bluetooth adapter.

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

O'Reilly started stocking Bosch OBD scan tools. Their OBD950 is a Bluetooth dongle for the USB port.
Bosch website says it works with their Mobile Scan app on iPhones & iPads. I downloaded the free app (it has lots of in-app add-ons). The app loaded fine on my iPhone 5S, but would not load on my iPad 3.
Without working on the iPad, this was a deal breaker for me.
Bosch hasn't yet responded to my inquiry about it working on an iPad 3.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

O'Reilly started stocking Bosch OBD scan tools. Their OBD950 is a Bluetooth dongle for the USB port.
Bosch website says it works with their Mobile Scan app on iPhones & iPads. I downloaded the free app (it has lots of in-app add-ons). The app loaded fine on my iPhone 5S, but would not load on my iPad 3.
Without working on the iPad, this was a deal breaker for me.
Bosch hasn't yet responded to my inquiry about it working on an iPad 3.

Thanks! I never knew...I've been really close to buying one of the ones off eBay many times but I always got mixed results. Plus I'm torn on the phone thing...almost prefer to get a Laptop version.
Next time I get a coupon code from OReilly's....I just might have to.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BOST/OBD1050/N0664.oap?ck=Search_N0664_BOS_BOST_-1_-1&mn=Bosch&mc=BOS&bn=Bosch&bc=BOST&pt=N0664&ppt=C0103

 

[gungatim]

I do not believe iPhones will talk to Bluetooth obd dongles. You need an Android for that.

Yep. apple's no-go with Bluetooth...got a couple ELM's myself before I learned that...not sure why there is even a Bluetooth option in settings, since it works with absolutely nothing...

 

[rlitman]

Yep. apple's no-go with Bluetooth...got a couple ELM's myself before I learned that...not sure why there is even a Bluetooth option in settings, since it works with absolutely nothing...

First off, bluetooth ELM devices work fine with Android phones.
Also, if you have a jailbroken iPhone, you can also use bluetooth ELM OBD readers. It is just Apple that doesn't want you to use that type of bluetooth device, so they lock it out.

That being said, my iPhone is not jailbroken, and I have no plans to jailbreak my iPhone, though I might consider jailbreaking some of my older spare ones.