The Maps function in the OBDLink® app is linked to the Logs function. Logging is enabled in the OBDLink app by default. Follow the steps in this article to view map data for your vehicle.

Note: We recently updated the OBDLink app and made improvements to its features and how it looks. The icons on the app's home screen now have a yellow accent instead of blue (iOS) and green (Android) accents. This revised article matches the updated app’s screens and features. Download the latest version of the OBDLink app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) to take advantage of the updated app's features and performance. 

Every time the app connects to your vehicle, it captures log data that can be viewed in several ways:

  • Map view 
  • File view and CSV file (accessed using the Logs function)
  • Trip view (accessed using the Trips function)

By default, the OBDLink app enables logging for certain vehicle PIDs (vehicle speed, longitude, and latitude), so you can view log data even if you haven’t configured any settings.

You can use the Maps functionality in the OBDLink app whether your vehicle is connected or not. If the app is not connected to your vehicle, you can view data from previously stored trips. 


Before you begin, be sure to: 

  • Start your vehicle and connect your phone/tablet to your OBDLink adapter.
  • Make sure your phone/tablet is not streaming to any other Bluetooth/BLE devices.
  1. Confirm that your phone/tablet is Connected to the OBDLink adapter and tap the Maps icon.
    iOSAndroid
    iOS Home screen with the Maps icon highlighted.
    		Android Home screen with the Maps icon highlighted.
  2. You will see a map view with a pin showing the last location where your device connected to your OBDLink adapter. Tap the pin (highlighted) to get directions back to your vehicle, for example, if you parked your vehicle and walked some distance away.
    iOS Maps screen showing the last location where the device connected to the OBDLink adapter. The pin is highlighted.
    		Android Maps screen showing the last location where the device connected to the OBDLink adapter. The pin is highlighted.
  3. Tap Menu (iOS) or 3 vertical dots (Android) in the upper right corner to display the menu options.
    iOS screen showing the Maps screen menu options. The menu button is highlighted.
    		Android screen showing the Maps screen menu options. The 3 dots menu button is highlighted.
     iOS screen with the Maps menu options highlighted.Android screen with the Maps menu options highlighted. 

    You will see several options:
    Map Mode - tap to switch between street map, satellite image, or hybrid views.
    Open - tap to load a list of previously logged trips. For details, see the Open trip map section.
    Close - tap to exit the trip view and return to the Maps home screen.
    Cancel (iOS only) - tap to return to the Maps home screen.

Open trip map

Tap Open to load a list of previously logged trips, tap the trip you want to view, and tap OK.

Note: You can choose which PIDs are logged by following the steps in the Get Started with Logs article, in the Select Items to Log section. By default, vehicle speed in MPH is logged.

iOS screen showing a list of Log Files. A log file is highlighted. The OK button is also highlighted.
Android screen showing a list of Log Files. A log file is highlighted. The OK button is also highlighted.

You will see the trip data displayed on a map. The color scale shows the PID value from low to high. In the screenshots below, vehicle speed is shown from red (low) to blue (high). 

iOS Maps screen showing a trip. The map is displayed in street view.
Android Maps screen showing a trip. The map is displayed in street view.

Tap the video buttons (highlighted) to view an animation of your vehicle moving on the map. 

Tap the triangle (highlighted) to start the animation. Tap other video buttons (pause, stop, forward) to control the animation playback.

iOS trip details showing video buttons (highlighted). The Play button is a triangle and it is also highlighted.
Android trip details showing video buttons (highlighted). The Play button is a triangle and it is also highlighted.

Tap Menu (iOS) / 3 vertical dots (Android) > Close to return to the Maps main screen. 


Map Mode

Tap Menu (iOS) > Map Mode or 3 vertical dots > Map Mode (Android) in the upper right corner to toggle between street map, satellite image, or hybrid views.

iOS screen showing a street map view of a trip. The Menu button is highlighted.
Android screen showing a street map view of a trip. The 3 dots menu button is highlighted.

The Default option displays the map in street view. To change Map Mode, tap another option and tap OK.

iOS screen showing the Map Mode menu options. The Default mode is shown with a checkmark.
iOS screen showing the Map Mode menu options. Satellite mode is highlighted and shown with a checkmark. The OK button is also highlighted.

The screenshots below show examples of satellite view.

iOS Maps screen showing a trip. The map is displayed in satellite view.
Android Maps screen showing a trip. The map is displayed in satellite view.

The screenshots below show examples of hybrid view. 

iOS Maps screen showing a trip. The map is displayed in hybrid view.
Android Maps screen showing a trip. The map is displayed in hybrid view.


Learn more


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