ADAPTER GUIDE

Works with the adapter you already own.

DriveHub connects to ELM327-compatible OBD-II adapters over Bluetooth LE, Bluetooth Classic (Android) and Wi-Fi. No proprietary hardware to buy. A good adapter costs about $15 to $30.

What works with your phone

Adapter typeiPhoneAndroid
Bluetooth LE✓ Works✓ Works
Wi-Fi✓ Works✓ Works
Bluetooth Classic– Does not work✓ Works

On iPhone, check that the listing says Bluetooth LE or 4.0. A few MFi-certified Bluetooth models, such as OBDLink, also work on iPhone. Cheap Bluetooth Classic adapters do not.

Adapter types and examples

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Bluetooth LE adapters

Modern consumer adapters, detected automatically. Work on iPhone and Android.

  • Vgate vLinker BLE / BM
  • OBDLink CX (BLE)
  • Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+
  • TONSIN / LELink / Viecar
  • Generic ELM327 BLE

Plug it in, open DriveHub and tap Connect. It is found automatically.

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Bluetooth Classic adapters

Work on Android. On iPhone only MFi-certified models such as OBDLink work, so check the listing before you buy.

  • OBDLink MX+Recommended
  • OBDLink LX
  • Any ELM327 Classic Bluetooth adapter

Pair it first in your phone's Bluetooth settings, then connect in DriveHub.

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Wi-Fi adapters

Connect over the adapter's own Wi-Fi network, no Bluetooth needed. Work on iPhone and Android.

  • Vgate iCar Wi-Fi
  • BAFX Wi-Fi
  • Any ELM327 Wi-Fi adapter

Connect your phone to the adapter's Wi-Fi hotspot, then tap Connect in DriveHub.

Not sure which to buy?

Vgate vLinker BLE

About $20

Our budget pick. Bluetooth LE, so it works on iPhone and Android.

OBDLink MX+

About $100

The premium recommendation, from an established brand.

What an OBD adapter is

An OBD adapter is a small plug that goes into your car's diagnostic port, usually under the dashboard near your knees. It lets DriveHub read your car's computers over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Almost every petrol car since 2001 and diesel since 2004 has the port (US cars from 1996).

Choosing and using one

Buy from an established brand (for example OBDLink, Veepeak or vLinker) rather than the cheapest no-name listing. Many bargain adapters use fake chips that drop the connection or return wrong data, and DriveHub can only be as reliable as the adapter it is talking to.
If you leave an adapter plugged in for weeks while the car is parked, it can slowly drain the battery on some cars. Unplug it for long stops.

Adapter questions

Do I have to buy a DriveHub adapter?

No. Any ELM327-compatible adapter that fits the table above works. DriveHub never requires special hardware.

Will my iPhone work with a Bluetooth Classic adapter?

Usually not. iPhones work with Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi adapters, plus a few MFi-certified Bluetooth models. Check that the listing says Bluetooth LE or 4.0.

Where is my car's OBD port?

Usually under the dashboard, near your knees. Almost every petrol car since 2001 and diesel since 2004 has one (US cars from 1996).

Is there an official DriveHub adapter?

We are building one: pre-paired, pre-tuned and optional. Every adapter you already own keeps working. You can join the waitlist for first access.

Want an adapter made for DriveHub?

We're building a pre-configured adapter that works with DriveHub out of the box. It is completely optional: every adapter above keeps working.

Join the adapter waitlist

Got an adapter? Try DriveHub.

DriveHub is free to download on iPhone and Android.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play