Are you looking to connect your OBD2 adapter to your iPhone for car diagnostics or coding using apps like BimmerCode? While direct compatibility isn’t always straightforward, it’s indeed possible to establish a reliable connection using an ENET (Ethernet to OBD II) cable and a Lightning to RJ45 adapter. This guide will walk you through the steps to successfully connect your OBD2 interface to your iPhone, enabling you to tap into your vehicle’s data and perform various functions.
This method is particularly useful for BMW owners and enthusiasts who want to utilize apps like BimmerCode for coding adjustments and customizations. Let’s break down the process to get your iPhone communicating with your car’s OBD2 port via an ENET cable setup.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connect OBD2 to iPhone with ENET Cable
Follow these detailed steps to establish a connection between your OBD2 port and your iPhone using an ENET cable and RJ45 adapter.
Step 1: Gather Your Equipment
Ensure you have the necessary equipment before starting. You will need:
- An ENET cable (Ethernet to OBD II cable). This cable serves as the primary communication link between your car’s OBD2 port and the adapter.
- A Lightning to RJ45 adapter. This adapter bridges the ENET cable to your iPhone’s Lightning port. Many reliable options are available online, often listed as “Lightning Ethernet Adapter” or “RJ45 to Lightning Adapter.”
- An iPhone. This guide is based on iOS, and the original post used an iPhone 12 Pro, but the steps should be applicable to other recent iPhone models.
- BimmerCode App (or compatible OBD2 app). This guide references BimmerCode, a popular app for BMW coding, but other OBD2 diagnostic apps might also work.
Step 2: Physical Connection Setup
Begin by physically connecting the cables:
- Plug the ENET cable into your car’s OBD2 port. This port is typically located under the dashboard on the driver’s side.
- Connect the RJ45 end of the ENET cable into the RJ45 port of your Lightning adapter.
Do not connect the Lightning adapter to your iPhone yet.
Step 3: Prepare Your Vehicle
Turn on your vehicle’s auxiliary mode (ignition ON, engine OFF). This powers up the car’s electronic systems and the OBD2 port, which is essential for communication. Wait for all the car systems to initialize and any chimes to finish before proceeding.
Step 4: iPhone Network Settings Preparation
This step is crucial to ensure your iPhone prioritizes the Ethernet connection over other network interfaces. Crucially, do NOT activate Airplane Mode. Instead, manually disable the following on your iPhone via the Control Center or Settings app:
- Cellular Data: Turn off cellular data completely.
- Wi-Fi: Disable Wi-Fi.
- Bluetooth: Turn off Bluetooth.
It’s important to allow approximately 30 seconds after disabling these services for your iPhone to fully disconnect from these networks in the background. This ensures there are no conflicts when establishing the Ethernet connection.
Step 5: Connect the Adapter to Your iPhone
Now, plug the Lightning connector of the RJ45 adapter into your iPhone’s Lightning port.
Step 6: Verify Ethernet Connection
After connecting the adapter, check your iPhone’s Settings to confirm the Ethernet connection is recognized:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Look for a new option labeled “Ethernet” located between “Bluetooth” and “Wi-Fi” in the settings menu.
If “Ethernet” doesn’t appear immediately, try disconnecting and reconnecting the Lightning adapter from your iPhone. It may take a moment for the iPhone to recognize the new Ethernet interface.
Step 7: Renew DHCP Lease
Once the “Ethernet” option appears, tap on it and configure the connection:
- Tap on “Ethernet” in the Settings menu.
- Select “USB 10/100 LAN”.
- Tap on “Renew Lease”.
- Confirm the action when the pop-up appears by tapping “Renew Lease” again. This step ensures your iPhone obtains a valid IP address via the Ethernet connection.
Step 8: Configure BimmerCode App (or Your OBD2 App)
Now, open your OBD2 app (like BimmerCode) but resist the immediate urge to tap “Connect.” Incorrect adapter settings can lead to connection failures.
Step 9: Temporarily Select an Incorrect Adapter in App Settings
This seemingly counterintuitive step is a workaround that helps force BimmerCode to properly recognize the ENET cable.
- In the BimmerCode app, locate and tap the “Settings” gear icon (usually in the bottom right corner).
- Navigate to the “Adapter” settings.
- Select any adapter type that you DO NOT actually have. For example, if you are using an ENET cable, choose a Bluetooth adapter option.
Step 10: Attempt Connection with the Incorrect Adapter Setting
Go back to the main screen of the BimmerCode app and tap “Connect.” The app should attempt to connect using the incorrect adapter and quickly return an error message, indicating a connection failure. This is expected and part of the process.
Step 11: Revert Adapter Setting to ENET Cable
Return to the “Settings” menu in the BimmerCode app.
Step 12: Select “ENET Cable” as the Adapter Type
Now, correctly set the adapter type to “ENET Cable” in the BimmerCode app settings.
Step 13: Connect Again with Correct Adapter Setting
Go back to the main screen of BimmerCode and tap “Connect” one more time.
Success!
At this point, you should see the prompt within the BimmerCode app to select your vehicle model and type. This indicates a successful connection between your iPhone and your car’s OBD2 system via the ENET cable. You can now proceed with using the BimmerCode app for diagnostics, coding, or other functionalities.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Ethernet Not Showing Up: If the “Ethernet” option doesn’t appear in your iPhone settings, try:
- Disconnecting and reconnecting the Lightning adapter.
- Restarting your iPhone.
- Ensuring your Lightning to RJ45 adapter is functioning correctly (test with another Ethernet device if possible).
- Connection Errors in BimmerCode: If you still encounter connection errors in the app:
- Double-check that you have correctly followed all steps, especially the network settings and adapter selection workaround.
- Ensure your car is in auxiliary mode and the OBD2 port is powered.
- Verify the ENET cable and RJ45 adapter are in good working condition.
- Check the BimmerCode app documentation or support resources for specific troubleshooting for ENET cable connections.
Conclusion
Connecting an OBD2 to your iPhone using an ENET cable and RJ45 adapter opens up possibilities for in-depth vehicle diagnostics and coding directly from your mobile device. By following these detailed steps and troubleshooting tips, you can establish a stable connection for using powerful OBD2 apps like BimmerCode on your iPhone. This method provides a reliable wired connection, often preferred by enthusiasts for coding and advanced diagnostics, ensuring a robust link to your car’s systems.
