OBD2 Scanner Apps for iPhone: Prices, Free Versions and the Adapter Each Needs

The best OBD2 app for most iPhone owners is Car Scanner ELM OBD2: free, rated 4.8 from about 33,000 App Store ratings, with Pro for a one-time $7.99, and it works with any Bluetooth LE ELM327 adapter. For plain-English repair reports with no subscription, BlueDriver with its own sensor. For VW and Audi coding, OBDeleven; for BMW, Carly or BimmerCode.

The Apps Compared

App prices are from the US App Store at our last check; in-app prices change. Ratings are App Store ratings.

Why the Adapter Matters on iPhone

An iPhone app talks to the car through an adapter in the OBD2 port, and on iPhone that adapter must use Bluetooth LE (or Wi-Fi), not the classic Bluetooth many cheap adapters use for Android. Car Scanner says it needs a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) ELM327-compatible adapter, and Veepeak says its adapter uses Bluetooth LE for iOS and classic Bluetooth for Android only. Some apps go further and only work with their maker's own device: BlueDriver, OBDeleven, Carly and FIXD all sell their own.

The Apps

Car Scanner ELM OBD2, Best for Most Drivers

Car Scanner reads and clears fault codes and shows live sensor data, performance and trip figures, and its developer says it offers the widest set of free features on the App Store. Pro unlocks the rest for $7.99 once, or $3.99 for six months. It is the top-rated app here at 4.8 from about 33,000 ratings. It needs a BLE ELM327 adapter; the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE below names Car Scanner among its compatible apps.

BlueDriver, Best for Repair Reports

The BlueDriver app is free but only works with the BlueDriver sensor. BlueDriver lists codes for check engine, ABS, SRS, airbag, TPMS and transmission, and unlimited repair reports matched to your VIN with likely causes and confirmed fixes, with no subscription. You can preview a repair report in the app by entering a VIN and a code before buying the sensor. BlueDriver lists all gas vehicles from 1996 on, plus select light-duty trucks and diesels such as the F-250, RAM 2500, Silverado and Sierra. The app is rated 4.6 from about 13,700 App Store ratings; the sensor 4.5 from over 63,000 Amazon ratings.

Skip it if your car is electric. Diesel owners should check BlueDriver's compatibility chart first, since only select diesels are covered.

OBD Fusion, Best for Enhanced Data by Brand

OBD Fusion costs $9.99 up front, and brand packs (Ford, Toyota and others, by model year) cost $14.99 each, which add enhanced diagnostics past the standard engine codes. It is rated 4.7 from about 19,500 ratings and works with a compatible BLE or Wi-Fi ELM327 adapter; OBD Fusion lists which ones and says generic ELM Bluetooth scan tools do not work, so check its list before buying. Veepeak names OBD Fusion among its compatible apps.

OBDLink, Best With an OBDLink Adapter

The OBDLink app is free with OBDLink adapters and sells the same kind of brand packs at $14.99. The OBDLink MX+ (about $140, 4.6 from over 15,000 Amazon ratings) is the adapter to pair with it: OBDLink lists iPhone support, enhanced OEM data for Ford, GM, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia, battery drain protection, and compatibility with FORScan, BimmerCode, DashCommand and Carista, among others.

OBDeleven, Best for VW and Audi

OBDeleven is built for Volkswagen Group cars and needs an OBDeleven device. The app is free; coding and deeper features sit behind credits ($3.99 for 10) or the Pro plan at $69.99 a year. Use it if you want to change settings on a VW, Audi, Seat or Skoda, not just read codes.

Carly, Best for BMW and Mercedes

Carly needs the Carly Universal Scanner and sells plans by brand: Toyota $21.99, Mercedes $28.99, BMW and Mini $63.99, or all brands for $82.99, with its Smart Mechanic add-on taking the top tier to $118.99. Carly says these are yearly subscriptions. For BMW coding only, BimmerCode is another option, and OBDLink makes its CX adapter for it.

FIXD, Best for Simple Alerts

FIXD pairs with its own sensor and gives a plain summary of what a code means. Its Premium plan costs $99.99 a year or $12.99 a month on the App Store. That is a yearly cost for basic code reading, which Car Scanner or BlueDriver do with no subscription.

Adapters for These Apps

For Car Scanner or OBD Fusion, the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE (about $32, 4.5 from over 24,000 Amazon ratings) is the low-cost choice: Veepeak lists standard OBD2 functions, Bluetooth LE for iPhone, and Car Scanner and OBD Fusion as compatible apps: Veepeak OBDCheck BLE on Amazon. For BlueDriver, the BlueDriver sensor on Amazon (about $90 in Charcoal; the Black one costs more). For the OBDLink app, FORScan or BimmerCode, the OBDLink MX+ on Amazon. To compare adapters and handheld scan tools in depth, see our OBD2 scanner guide.

Our app picks come from App Store listings and prices and maker specifications; see how we review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free OBD2 app for iPhone?

Yes. Car Scanner reads and clears codes and shows live data for free with a BLE adapter, and the BlueDriver app is free with its sensor. You still need an adapter: no app reads the car without one.

Does Torque work on iPhone?

No. The original Torque is an Android app; App Store apps with Torque in the name are from other developers. On iPhone, Car Scanner and OBD Fusion do the same job.

Will clearing a code fix the check engine light?

No. Clearing turns the light off, but if the fault is still there it comes back. Read the code first and fix the cause.

Verdict

Start with Car Scanner and a BLE adapter like the Veepeak if you want to read codes for the least money. Choose BlueDriver if you want the app to explain the fix with no subscription. Owners of VW Group cars should look at OBDeleven, and BMW or Mercedes owners at Carly.