By AppHub Editorial Team · Updated August 3, 2026

Car Scanner ELM OBD2

4.7 ★

Downloads: 10,000,000+ Reviews: 331,000 Content Rating: Everyone

Overview

Features

See what your car is doing in realtime, get OBD fault codes, car performance, sensor data and more!

Car Scanner is a vehicle / car performance / trip computer / diagnostics tool and scanner that uses an OBD II Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter to connect to your OBD2 engine management / ECU.

Car Scanner gives you a bunch of unique features:

1) Layout your own dashboard with the gauges and charts you want!

2) Add custom (extended PIDs) and get information, that was hidden from you by car manufacturer!

...

See what your car is doing in realtime, get OBD fault codes, car performance, sensor data and more! Car Scanner is a vehicle / car performance / trip computer / diagnostics tool and scanner that uses an OBD II Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter to connect to your OBD2 engine management / ECU. Car Scanner gives you a bunch of unique features:1) Layout your own dashboard with the gauges and charts you want! 2) Add custom (extended PIDs) and get information, that was hidden from you by car manufacturer!3) It can also show and reset a DTC fault code like a scantool. Car Scanner includes a huge database of DTC codes descriptions.4) Car Scanner allows you to read free-frames (sensors state when DTC is saved).5) Now with Mode 06

●you can get ECU self-monitoring test results. Helps you fix your car and helps keep repair costs down!6) Check if your car is ready for emission tests.7) Check all of the sensors at one screen8) Car Scanner works with any vehicle that uses the OBD 2 standard (most vehicles built after 2000, but can work for vehicles as far back as 1996, check carscanner. info for more details). 9) Car Scanner includes a lot of connection profiles, that gives you some extra features for Toyota, Mitsubishi, GM, Opel, Vauxhal, Chevrolet, Nissan, Infinity, Renault, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Ford, Subaru, Dacia, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Audi and others.10) Car Scanner dashboard includes a HUD mode, that you can use to project data to your windshield.11) Car Scanner provides a tool for very accurate acceleration measurments (0-60, 0-100, etc.)12) Car Scanner can be used as a trip computer and can show you fuel consumption statistics!13) Car Scanner supports coding (changing hidden settings of your car) for this cars:

●VAG group (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat), built on the MQB, PQ26 and MLB-EVO platforms. Some exclusive functions you would find only in Car Scanner: Video in motion (VIM), Mirrorlink in motion (MIM), Traffic Jam Assist activation, Drive mode profiles editor (compatibility may depend on your car modules and firmware versions), Ambient lights configuration, etc.;

●Toyota/Lexus cars with CAN bus (almost all cars since 2008 up to nowadays);

●Some of Renault/Dacia (compatibility may depend on your car modules and firmware versions);

●Several service functions available for other cars.14) And one more thing

●Car Scanner provides the widest variety of features for FREE across the Play Market. The app requires a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or Bluetooth 4.0 (Bluetooth LE) OBD2 ELM327 compatible adapter (device) to work. ELM327 devices plugs into the diagnostics socket in the car and gives your phone access to car diagnostics. Recommended adapters brands: OBDLink, Kiwi 3, V-Gate, Carista, LELink, Veepeak. If you buy one of the cheap china OBD2 ELM327 adapters from ebay / amazon, then make sure it’s not marked as v.

2..

1.. This adapters are supported, but they have lot’s of bugs. PLEASE NOTE: Vehicle ECUs vary in the amount of sensors supported. This app can’t show you something, that is not provided by your car. Attention "bad" adapters! We faced the problem, that some adapters (often cheep Chinese clones), can’t connect to the smartphone or the car. Some of them can even make your car engine work unstable, often lost connection, increase time lag when reading data. So, we recommend you to use genuine ELM327 or recommended adapter brands.

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Ratings breakdown

331,000 reviews

5★

81%

4★

11%

3★

2★

1★

Developer contact

Name

CAR SCANNER LLC

Address

3, 1/7, International str. Abovyan 2204 Armenia

Website

https://www.carscanner.info

Phone

+374 94 858452

Support

admin@carscanner.info

Privacy

View policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Car Scanner ELM OBD2 work with any OBD2 Bluetooth adapter?

high

The app works with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth LE OBD2 ELM327 compatible adapters. However, the developer recommends specific brands: OBDLink, Kiwi 3, V-Gate, Carista, LELink, and Veepeak. It warns against cheap Chinese clones marked v2.1, which may cause connection issues or unstable engine behavior. One recent reviewer (March 2026) reports persistent connection failures with multiple Bluetooth devices, while other apps connected fine.

Source: app_metadata, user_reviews

Is Car Scanner ELM OBD2 free or does it have in-app purchases?

high

The app is free to download. It offers in-app purchases ranging from $1.49 to $5.49 per item. The app description states it provides the widest variety of features for free across the Play Market. One reviewer (2021) mentions the paid version is much better.

Source: app_metadata, app_description

Can Car Scanner diagnose and reset check engine lights?

high

Yes. The app can read and reset DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) fault codes, includes a large database of DTC descriptions, reads free-frames (sensor state when a DTC is saved), and supports Mode 06 for ECU self-monitoring test results. It also checks if your car is ready for emission tests. A recent 5-star reviewer (May 2025) confirmed she diagnosed issues correctly and told her mechanic what was wrong.

Source: app_description, user_reviews

Does Car Scanner work for coding or changing hidden car settings?

high

Yes, for certain vehicles. The app supports coding (changing hidden settings) for VAG group cars (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat) on MQB, PQ26, and MLB-EVO platforms, Toyota/Lexus with CAN bus (2008+), and some Renault/Dacia models. Exclusive functions include Video in Motion, Mirrorlink in Motion, Traffic Jam Assist activation, and drive mode profile editing.

Source: app_description

Does Car Scanner have connection problems with Bluetooth?

medium

One recent reviewer (March 2026) reports serious connection issues, saying the app rarely connects to any Bluetooth OBD2 device despite trying multiple adapters, while other apps connect immediately. The developer acknowledges that cheap Chinese ELM327 clones may have bugs and recommends specific adapter brands. This issue is reported by one reviewer in the small sample available.

Source: user_reviews, app_description

How to Use

Car Scanner is an OBD2 diagnostics tool that connects to your vehicle's ECU via a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter, allowing you to view real-time sensor data, read and reset fault codes, measure performance, and customize dashboards. (app_description)

Getting Started

Source: app_description_and_user_feedback_noted

Purchase a compatible OBD2 ELM327 adapter (recommended: OBDLink, Kiwi 3, V-Gate, Carista, LELink, or Veepeak). Avoid cheap Chinese clones marked v2.1.
Plug the adapter into your vehicle's OBD2 diagnostic socket (usually under the dashboard on the driver's side).
Turn on your vehicle's ignition (engine may need to be running for some functions).
Enable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on your Android device and pair with the OBD2 adapter.
Open the Car Scanner app—it should automatically detect and connect to the adapter. If connection fails, try restarting the app or re-pairing the device. One reviewer reported needing multiple attempts to connect with certain adapters.
Select your vehicle's make and model from the connection profiles to unlock extra features (Toyota, Ford, VAG, etc.).
Start by reading diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) or customize your dashboard with gauges and charts.

Key Features (from app listing)

Source: app_description

Customizable dashboard with gauges and charts for real-time data.
Read and reset DTC fault codes with a large database of code descriptions.
View free-frames (sensor states when a fault code was saved).
Mode 06 ECU self-monitoring test results for advanced diagnostics.
Emissions readiness check to verify your vehicle is ready for testing.
HUD mode to project data onto your windshield.
Accurate acceleration measurements (0-60, 0-100, etc.).
Trip computer with fuel consumption statistics.
Coding support for VAG, Toyota, and Renault/Dacia vehicles (hidden settings changes).
Extended PIDs for data hidden by manufacturers.

Pro Tip: If you experience persistent Bluetooth connection issues, try using a recommended adapter brand (e.g., OBDLink or Veepeak) instead of cheap Chinese clones, as the developer warns they may have bugs. Also ensure your adapter is not marked v2.1, which is notoriously problematic.

This tip is derived from the app description which warns against cheap Chinese ELM327 clones and recommends specific brands, and from a recent reviewer complaint about serious connection issues with multiple adapters.

How this content was created

Content type: pattern_analysis_of_user_reviews_and_metadata

AI generated: Yes

Data sources:

Google Play user reviews (12-20 preferred; may be smaller if source data is limited per app), December 30, 2021 to March 31, 2026
Google Play ratings distribution
App Store listing metadata

Limitations:

Review samples are not statistically representative of all user sentiment
Only 5 recent reviews were available, no high-engagement or mixed buckets
Claims labeled 'low confidence' are based on single-review observations only
No real-world app testing was conducted
Feature availability may vary by region, device, and app version

Pros & Cons

Based on analysis of Google Play user reviews

Pros

Ease of use and diagnostic accuracy for non-experts is a recurring recent pattern low

Theme 'easy to use and accurate for diagnosing car problems' appeared in recent_reviews #1. Reviewer #1, a self-described non-car-savvy single lady, states the app is 'AMAZING' and easy to use, and that she correctly diagnosed issues. No other reviews in the sample mention ease of use or diagnostic accuracy, so this is based on a single review but noted as a distinct positive theme.

Evidence (1)

“I'm a Single lady and independent person, but not very car savvy... this app is AMAZING! I have diagnosed a few things and told my mechanic exactly what was wrong. it was correct. This app is so easy to use! And free!”
Rating: 5★ May 26, 2025 529 likes
Feature richness and value compared to professional-grade tools is a recurring recent pattern medium

Theme 'comprehensive features rivaling expensive professional scanners' appeared in recent_reviews #5 (2021) and hinted in #4 (2023). Reviewer #5, with 20 years of experience, says the app does everything needed and saves money compared to Snap-on scanners. Reviewer #4 notes the app is 'fairly comprehensive'. This is a theme in 2 of 5 reviews, both 5-star.

Evidence (2)

“Excellent app! Does everything I need it too and more, I've been working on cars for 20 years now and never used a Bluetooth scanner before! I would always use the really expensive snap on scanners, but with this app I will save so much $$$$$.”
Rating: 5★ December 30, 2021 49 likes

“Fairly comprehensive The only thing I wish it could do is program keys and remotes, if it is there I haven't found it yet.”
Rating: 5★ April 18, 2023 83 likes

Cons

Serious Bluetooth connection issues are a recurring recent concern low

Theme 'connection failures with OBD2 Bluetooth devices' appeared in recent_reviews #2. Reviewer #2 reports that the app rarely connects to any of three different Bluetooth OBD2 devices, while other apps connect immediately. This is a single review but explicitly describes a severe usability issue.

Evidence (1)

“Serious connection issues. As many are now saying, this used to be a great app, but now it rarely connects to ant OBD2 Bluetooth devices. I have three different devices I have tried. other apps connect immediately, but this one does not. If you try 30 times to connect, you might get it to connect. P”
Rating: 1★ March 31, 2026 2 likes
Unwanted background activity and battery drain is a recurring recent concern low

Theme 'app wants to run at startup, ignores battery optimization, and includes ads causing battery drain and privacy concerns' appeared in recent_reviews #3. Reviewer #3 gives a 1-star rating and describes the app wanting to run at startup, ignoring battery optimization, and including ads, leading to battery drain and privacy invasion. This is a single review.

Evidence (1)

“Wants to run at startup while ignoring battery optimization and including ads, so it can run when it doesn't need to, drinking the battery and invading privacy. Nice update. I'll just stick with AndrOBD from now on, which is open and doesn't feel the need to be able to run on its own”
Rating: 1★ March 13, 2026 4 likes

Recent Reviews

Jennifer G

5★

I'm a Single lady and independent person, but not very car savvy. I can do minor stuff, but I leave the big stuff to the professionals. this app is AMAZING! I have diagnosed a few things and told my mechanic exactly what was wrong. it was correct. This app is so easy to use! And free! I was intimidated at first, being almost completely clueless, but directions were clear and I get all the info I need. my fav part is where it links you to articles and videos relating to the repairs needed!

May 26, 2025 529 likes

Scott

1★

Serious connection issues. As many are now saying, this used to be a great app, but now it rarely connects to ant OBD2 Bluetooth devices. I have three different devices I have tried. other apps connect immediately, but this one does not. If you try 30 times to connect, you might get it to connect. Please fix this and I will give it 5 stars again.

March 31, 2026 2 likes

1★

Wants to run at startup while ignoring battery optimization and including ads, so it can run when it doesn't need to, drinking the battery and invading privacy. Nice update. I'll just stick with AndrOBD from now on, which is open and doesn't feel the need to be able to run on its own, something I've been noticing a LOT of apps adding lately.

March 13, 2026 4 likes

dads fix

5★

Fairly comprehensive The only thing I wish it could do is program keys and remotes, if it is there I haven't found it yet. Only used it once to realize it was good. Previously I had used another app, but had limited info. I thought my Bluetooth reader didn't read right. I was looking at another reader ($400+) but decided to look into this app first. Sooo glad I did, almost every option was suddenly there and functional.

April 18, 2023 83 likes

Justyn Russell

5★

Excellent app! Does everything I need it too and more, I've been working on cars for 20 years now and never used a Bluetooth scanner before! I would always use the really expensive snap on scanners, but with this app I will save so much $$$$$. It works perfectly, the paid version is sooooo much better for me, but the free version was still quite impressive! Never will I buy an over priced scanner again!!!!

December 30, 2021 49 likes

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