Connection help

Before you start

• Park the car safely, apply the parking brake and keep it stationary during the inspection.
• Start the engine before the inspection. This helps protect the 12-volt battery and allows BimmerInspect to complete the engine-related checks.
• Only run the engine outdoors or where there is safe ventilation. Never leave it running in an enclosed space.
• Keep the iPhone online. The connection to the car is local, but BimmerInspect needs internet access when it prepares the report.
• Allow Bluetooth and Local Network access when iOS asks. The permission required depends on how you connect.

Connect with Bluetooth

1. Plug an ELM327-compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapter into the port under the dashboard.
2. Start the engine and enable Bluetooth on the iPhone.
3. Open BimmerInspect, choose Bluetooth and select the adapter.
4. Stay close to the car while BimmerInspect establishes the connection.

Connect with ENET

1. Connect the ENET cable to the car's OBD-II port and to a compatible adapter for your iPhone.
2. Start the engine and wait until the dashboard is fully awake.
3. After connecting the cable, wait a short while for the iPhone and car to finish setting up the connection. ENET may not appear immediately.
4. Allow Local Network access if iOS asks for permission.
5. Open BimmerInspect, choose ENET and start the connection.

ⓘIf ENET is not found, check both ends of the cable and reconnect the phone adapter before trying again.

Connect with Wi-Fi

1. Plug in an ELM327-compatible Wi-Fi OBD-II adapter and start the engine.
2. Open iPhone Settings and join the Wi-Fi network created by the adapter.
3. Keep mobile data enabled. Adapter Wi-Fi networks usually do not provide internet access.
4. Return to BimmerInspect, choose Wi-Fi and select the adapter.

The adapter does not appear or connect

Check the connection that matches your adapter:

• Bluetooth: make sure Bluetooth is on, stay close to the car and search again.
• ENET: check both cable ends and make sure Local Network access is allowed for BimmerInspect.
• Wi-Fi: confirm the iPhone is connected to the adapter's Wi-Fi network before returning to the app.

ⓘThe ELM327 label alone does not guarantee compatibility. If BimmerInspect finds the adapter but cannot prepare it, try another ELM327-compatible model.

The vehicle does not respond

• Start the engine before trying again when it is safe to do so.
• Wait until the dashboard lights are fully on, then try again.
• If the car has gone to sleep, lock and unlock it with the key, then reconnect.
• Check that the adapter or cable is fully seated in the OBD-II port.

Only limited information is available

BimmerInspect shows the checks supported by the vehicle systems that respond. If much less information appears than expected, start the engine, reconnect the adapter and repeat the inspection so the engine-related checks can run.

ⓘIf the same limited information appears after retrying, the vehicle variant or adapter may not yet be fully supported.

The report could not be prepared

The vehicle read may finish even when the report cannot be prepared. Make sure mobile data or another internet connection is working, keep BimmerInspect open and try again.

Contact support

Send your support request to:

What to include

• A concise description of the issue
• The app version and build number
• Your device model and operating system version
• The adapter or connection type you used
• The support code, if the app shows one
• The vehicle model and year
• The report ID only when the request relates to a specific report

Send the vehicle identification number (VIN) only when it is necessary to check vehicle compatibility or locate a request.

Keep sensitive information out of email

Send only the information needed for your request. For more information, read the BimmerInspect Privacy Policy.

App Store payments

For an App Store payment problem, tell us whether the report still appears as locked in BimmerInspect after the payment completed.