Why it matters
Most OBD2 apps only run on the phone, which you shouldn’t be looking at while driving. On CarPlay the readings sit on the car’s built-in screen, laid out with Apple’s CarPlay templates so they stay readable at a glance.
A full OBD tab.
The OBD tab shows the adapter connection and the check-engine light, this session’s peaks, and live readings grouped by system.
- Connection status, check-engine light and adapter
- Live readings in Engine, Speed & Throttle, Air & Fuel, Electrical and Diagnostic groups
- Boost, fuel economy and air/fuel ratio worked out for you
- This session: time connected, max RPM, max coolant, max load, peak fuel rate and lowest battery voltage
Engine stats next to your speed.
Add engine readings to the Live tab’s grid or list, alongside speed, distance and time. Choose from 18 engine stats and put them in any order.
- Up to eight tiles in the grid layout
- Engine RPM, fuel economy, check-engine status and more
- Trip peaks and averages, such as max and average RPM, while a trip is recording
- Engine tiles appear only while the adapter is connected
Trouble codes on the road.
Odo reads trouble codes automatically when the adapter connects, so you know why a warning light came on before you get home.
- Stored, pending and permanent code counts
- The list of stored codes
- Clear codes from the iPhone app once the fault is fixed
- Your custom readings in their own section
Connects on its own.
Once your adapter is set up, Odo reconnects to it when CarPlay connects and when a trip starts, so there’s nothing to tap before you drive.
- Automatic reconnect when CarPlay connects
- Tap the adapter row to reconnect if the connection drops
- Works with wired and wireless CarPlay
- One adapter connection feeds CarPlay and your iPhone
How to set it up
- 1
Plug in your adapter
Fit a Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi ELM327 adapter to the OBD2 port, usually under the dashboard.
- 2
Connect once on iPhone
Open Garage → OBD II in Odo and connect. After that, Odo reconnects by itself.
- 3
Open Odo on CarPlay
Tap the OBD tab for live readings and codes, or add engine stats to the Live tab in Odo’s CarPlay settings.
Odo’s CarPlay screens are in English. Every car reports different data, so some readings may stay empty on yours.
Guides
- OBD2 on Apple CarPlay: live engine data on your car's screenPut live engine data on your car's own screen: what Odo shows on CarPlay, how to set it up once on your iPhone, and how to pick your gauges.
- How to connect an OBD2 scanner to your iPhoneWhich adapter to buy, where the port is, and the exact steps to connect a Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi OBD2 adapter to your iPhone in under a minute.
Questions about OBD2 on CarPlay
Does CarPlay show engine data on its own?
No. Odo gets engine data from an OBD2 adapter plugged into your car, not from CarPlay. Set the adapter up once on your iPhone and Odo shows its readings and trouble codes on the CarPlay screen.
Do I need to reconnect the OBD2 adapter every time I use CarPlay?
No. Once your adapter is set up, Odo reconnects to it by itself when CarPlay connects, over wired or wireless CarPlay. If the connection drops, tap the adapter row on the OBD tab to reconnect.
Which engine stats can I show next to my speed on CarPlay?
You can choose from 18 engine stats, such as engine RPM, fuel economy and check-engine status, and arrange up to eight tiles in the Live tab's grid. Engine tiles only appear while the adapter is connected.
Can I clear trouble codes from CarPlay?
No. CarPlay shows stored, pending and permanent code counts and the list of stored codes, but clearing codes is done in the iPhone app.
Can I see OBD2 engine gauges on CarPlay?
Yes. With an OBD2 adapter, Odo shows live engine data on CarPlay: engine readings on the Live tab and a full OBD tab with trouble codes. Full answer
Can I see OBD2 data on CarPlay and my iPhone at the same time?
Yes. One adapter connection feeds both: the OBD and Live tabs on CarPlay, and the OBD II screen on your iPhone. Full answer
Which OBD2 adapters work with Odo?
ELM327-compatible adapters that connect over Bluetooth LE (4.0 or newer) or Wi-Fi. Quality varies, so an adapter from an established seller is the safest choice. Full answer
Works well with
CarPlay driving dashboard
Speed, trip controls, places, OBD2 data and records in five customizable tabs.
Learn moreOBD2 live data explained
What each engine reading means, what normal looks like, and why it matters.
Learn moreCheck engine codes
Read, understand and clear trouble codes, and check emissions readiness.
Learn moreCarPlay speedometer gauge
A real speed gauge on your car’s screen, in 10 styles and 44 looks you can customize.
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