The demand for mobile applications in the automobile industry is on the rise, and BMW owners are no exception. With the advancement of technology, BMW owners expect to have access to various features and functionalities in their vehicles with a simple tap on their smartphones. This has led to the development of several third-party Android apps that cater to BMW owners’ needs. In this article, we will explore some of the best Android apps available for BMW owners that can enhance their driving experience.
These apps offer a wide range of features, including remote start/stop, real-time vehicle location tracking, fuel management, and diagnostic tools, among others. Some of these apps also provide safety and security features such as emergency response, theft prevention, and crash detection. Moreover, these apps provide a seamless integration between the user’s smartphone and their BMW vehicle, allowing them to monitor their car’s performance and access various functionalities without hassle.
One of the significant advantages of these apps is their ease of use.
We have compiled a list of 7 Best Bmw Android App for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
7 Best Bmw Android App
1. OBD Auto Doctor car scanner
OBD Auto Doctor is a mobile app designed for vehicle diagnostics, utilizing an OBD scanner to communicate with the car’s onboard system. The app allows users to monitor vehicle data, track car performance, and check and reset diagnostic trouble codes. Its features include reading readiness monitor status, On-Board Diagnostic Monitors, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), and Freeze Frame. Additionally, the app supports multiple electronic control units, real-time monitoring of OBDII sensor data, imperial and metric units, and fuel consumption tracking.
OBD Auto Doctor is compatible with all cars sold worldwide that are compatible with OBD2 or EOBD. The app requires a separate OBD adapter using Bluetooth, BLE, or Wifi to communicate with the car. Genuine ELM327 adapters are recommended over cheaper clone ELM devices. Quick start guides for Bluetooth and WiFi adapters are available on the app website.
The app is free, but a subscription is available using an in-app purchase to unlock all features. However, it is important to note that the app’s features rely on the vehicle’s capability to provide information. The developer of the app is not responsible for incidents resulting from the use and/or interpretation of the data in the application. Users’ activities inside the app are tracked and reported anonymously.
The app’s website provides more information, including compatibility information for various countries. If users have any issues or concerns, they can reach out to the app’s support team via email.
2. bimmer-tool
Bimmer-tool is an application that enables BMW car owners to read and clear fault codes, request DPF regeneration, and read engine live data, among other functions. To verify if the app is compatible with a BMW car and an OBD adapter, users can try bimmer-tool lite. For cars that are below model year 2008, it is recommended to use K+DCan cable as a connection method. Wireless ELM adapter connection may not be possible or not all functions will be available.
Users should note that the application requires a reliable OBD adapter, and cheap adapters will not work. K+D-Can cable, ENET adapter, or Bluetooth adapters are recommended. The application allows users to perform various functions such as reading DPF regeneration status, resetting DPF adaptation values, and logging data to a CSV file for further analysis, among others.
To use the app, users should connect the adapter to the OBD II socket, turn the ignition on, and connect the adapter to their phone through USB, Bluetooth or WiFi. The user should then start the app and choose the model and year of their car, choose the connection type, adapter type, and communication protocol, and tap the connect button.
For models below 2008 and e46/e39/e83/e53, the app requires K+DCan cable connection. Connection using a wireless ELM adapter may not be possible or not all functions will be available.
3. Car Scanner ELM OBD2
Car Scanner is an app that enables users to monitor their car’s performance and receive real-time data, including OBD fault codes, sensor data, and more. The app works by connecting to a car’s OBD2 engine management/ECU through an OBD II Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter. Car Scanner offers several unique features, such as the ability to customize the dashboard with gauges and charts, access to hidden information through custom extended PIDs, and the ability to reset DTC fault codes. The app is compatible with any vehicle that uses the OBD 2 standard and includes connection profiles for popular car models such as Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen. Car Scanner can also be used as a trip computer and supports coding for certain car models. The app is available for free on the Play Market.
It is important to note that the app requires an OBD2 ELM327-compatible adapter to work. Recommended adapter brands include OBDLink, Kiwi 3, and V-Gate. However, Chinese clones of the ELM327 adapter are not recommended due to potential connectivity issues and instability. Additionally, the app’s functionality is limited to the sensors provided by a user’s vehicle’s ECU.
Overall, Car Scanner is a useful app for car enthusiasts who want to monitor their vehicle’s performance and receive real-time data. Its customization features and compatibility with various car models make it a versatile tool for car owners.
4. Deep OBD
The app in question is an open source program that utilizes ECU files for OBD communication. It is capable of performing all operations that are typically executed with ISTA-D, INPA, or Tool32. As of now, the app only supports BMW and VAG vehicles. Users are able to select the diagnostics jobs they want to execute and create their own configuration files using the configuration generator. For more complicated tasks, the configuration files can be created manually. The app requires 2.5 GB of free external storage.
The following OBD II adapters are supported by the application: Standard FTDI based USB INPA compatible D-CAN/K-Line adapters (all protocols), ELM327 based Bluetooth and WiFi adapters (recommended versions: 1.4b, 1.5, and origin 2.1, based on PIC18F2480 processor with no MCP2515 chip and D-CAN protocol only), custom Bluetooth D-CAN/K-Line adapter (BMW-FAST protocol over D-CAN and K-Line), and a replacement firmware for the ELM327 Bluetooth adapter that is faster, more stable, and supports K-Line (required for VAG vehicles, supports protocols KWP2000, KWP1281, TP2.0). Additionally, a Deep OBD ENET WIFI adapter is available for BMW F-models.
5. MotoScan for BMW Motorcycles
MotoScan is a diagnostic app for BMW motorcycles that can be used with an OBDLink LX/MX, UniCarScan UCSI-2000 or ELM327 (with restrictions) diagnostic adapter. The full version of the app can be purchased directly from the app, but users are encouraged to check the functions on their motorcycle with the Lite version before buying. The app’s functions differ based on the bike model and equipment, and the number of functions grows with every update. Functions include identification of the control unit, reading and clearing trouble codes, real-time data display, service interval reset, ECU coding, and reading and resetting adaptations.
Most ELM327 adapters support the diagnostic on BMW motorcycles, but some China Clones may not support all commands. The app includes a test function that allows users to check the adapter for suitability and indicates whether the diagnostic adapter for K-Line and CAN bus motorcycles is suitable. The OBDLink LX and MX adapters are suitable for all BMW motorcycles with K-Line and CAN Bus, but require the latest firmware update (4.1.x). Users will also need a 16/10 pin adapter cable, which can be purchased on the WGSoft website.
The app supports a wide range of BMW motorcycle models, including C-Series, F-Series, G-Series, K-Series, and R-Series. However, the functions on the control unit and degree of development of the app depend on the model and equipment.
6. BimmerCode for BMW and MINI
BimmerCode is an application that enables users to customize their BMW or MINI by coding its control units, unlocking hidden features and preferences. With this app, users can activate features like digital speed display in the instrument cluster or video playback in the iDrive system. Also, they can disable features such as Auto Start/Stop function or Active Sound Design.
BimmerCode supports various car models, including BMW and MINI brands, as well as the Toyota Supra. The list of supported cars includes the 1 Series (2004+), 2 Series, M2 (2013+), 2 Series Active Tourer (2014+), 2 Series Gran Tourer (2015+), and other models from BMW and MINI. Users can find a comprehensive list of supported cars and available options on the BimmerCode website.
To use BimmerCode, one of the supported OBD adapters is required. Users can find more information on compatible adapters on the BimmerCode website. By using the app and the required accessories, users can easily customize their BMW or MINI to their liking.
7. Carly — OBD2 car scanner
Carly is an OBD2 scanner app and device that provides diagnostic and repair insights, coding, and maintenance functions for car owners. The app and scanner work for almost all car brands in the world with an OBD2 port. The Carly app offers a free lite version with basic features such as health, live data, and emission check for the engine and transmission. Advanced features are available for a yearly license fee that varies with the car brand or all brands.
The advanced features include the ability to read from all built-in electronic control units (ECUs) of the car, gauge the severity of problems, clear fault codes, get detailed fault descriptions, perform simple car maintenance independently, access hidden features set by the manufacturer, and detect mileage manipulation. Carly is designed to support almost all car brands with an OBD2 port built in 2001 or later, works with both iOS and Android scanner software, and comes with a 30-year warranty and premium customer support.
To use Carly, car owners need to check which features are available for their car model, order the Carly Universal Scanner, plug it into the OBD2 port, and log in to the app to check what works for their unique car. The scanner and app are unique to every car, with features varying with the model, build year, hardware, and software.