Use the Settings function in the OBDLink® app to customize the app behavior for your vehicle(s) and use cases. You will see the complete set of options when your phone/tablet is Connected to your OBDLink adapter.

Note: You will see different options depending on the type of OBDLink adapter that you have.

Many Settings can be changed while disconnected from your adapter. In this situation, any changes will not take effect until the next time you connect to your OBDLink adapter.

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. 

iOSAndroid
iOS screen showing the OBDLink app Home screen. The Connected indicator and the Settings icon are highlighted.Android screen showing the OBDLink app Home screen. The Connected indicator and the Settings icon are highlighted.


Tap the Settings icon to open the list of setting options:


Preferences

The following categories are listed on the Preferences screen: 

  • Communications
    Changes on this screen affect how the OBDLink app communicates with your adapter.
    The default settings will work for most situations and vehicles.  
  • General
    Changes on this screen affect how the OBDLink app operates with your phone or tablet.
    You can keep the screen on, program the app to start on the dashboard page, and other options. 
    • (Android only) Enable Hide Status Bar to maximize the OBDLink app on your phone screen. This setting hides the top of your phone display, which shows carrier, time, battery remaining, and other details.
    • Enable Auto Hide Navigation Bar to maximize the gauge displays on dashboard pages. This setting hides the OBDLink app navigation bar. 
    • Enable Auto Store Diagnostic Reports for convenience if you capture diagnostic reports often.
  • Appearance
    Changes on this screen affect how the OBDLink app is shown on your phone or tablet.
    • Tap Navigation to change how the icons are arranged on the home screen.
    • (iOS only) Tap Layout to change the home screen from an icon display (default) to a sidebar-style view.
  • Units
    List of all the measurements and units used by the app.
    Tap Menu (iOS) or 3 vertical dots (Android) in the upper right corner to switch all measurement units from English to Metric and back again.
  • Logging
    Lists the options used for capturing log data, including Logging Enabled (on by default).
    Learn more about all of the options in this article: Get Started with Logs 

  • Advanced
    Warning: You should not change options on the Advanced screen unless a representative from the OBDLink Customer Service team has told you to do so.

  • Sync
    Optionally, you can link a Dropbox account or iCloud account (iOS only) to the OBDLink app and use additional features to automatically store diagnostic reports or save log files.
    If you are not connected to an iCloud account, it will not be displayed on this screen.
  • Android Auto (Android only)
    If you use the Android Auto app, these settings control which PIDs are shown on your vehicle display.


Vehicle Editor

When you connect to your OBDLink adapter for the first time, a dialog appears asking if you want to edit the settings for your vehicle. These changes will provide the most precise fuel economy, power, and torque estimates possible. Learn more about first-time setup in this article: Edit Your Vehicle Settings

Tap Settings > Vehicle Editor to review the vehicle(s) that you have connected and make any desired changes. By default, the last vehicle connected is displayed. 

iOSAndroid
iOS screen showing the Settings screen. The Vehicle Editor option is highlighted.Android screen showing the Settings screen. The Vehicle Editor option is highlighted.


Tap Menu (iOS) or 3 vertical dots (Android) in the upper right corner to Select, Delete, or Add another vehicle.

iOS screen showing the Vehicle Editor screen. The Menu button is highlighted.Android screen showing the Vehicle Editor screen. The Menu button (3 dots) is highlighted.
iOS screen showing the Vehicle Editor screen. The Menu options are highlighted.Android screen showing the Vehicle Editor screen. The Menu options are highlighted.


The screenshots below show examples of the Select Vehicle screen when more than one vehicle has been added to the OBDLink app. A checkmark shows the default vehicle. Tap the vehicle you want, then tap OK. 

iOS screen showing the Select Vehicle screen. A vehicle labeled "Escape" has a checkmark indicator..Android screen showing the Select Vehicle screen. A vehicle labeled "Ford Escape" has a checkmark indicator.

    

 

User-Defined PIDs

When you install your OBDLink adapter, connect to the OBDLink app, and tap the Dashboards icon, several dashboard screens with important gauges are displayed, including engine RPM, vehicle speed, oxygen sensors, and others. The default gauges display Parameter IDs (PIDs) that are common to most OBD-II compliant vehicles and are included in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard.

Certain PIDs are not included in the OBD-II standard and are defined by the vehicle’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM). One example of this type of PID is vehicle transmission temperature. You can define specific PIDs to be displayed on a customized dashboard. 

Learn more about user-defined PIDs in this article: Display Transmission Temperature Gauge


Get Enhanced OEM Add-Ons

The OBDLink app provides enhanced diagnostics for many vehicle types, which let you access additional modules and parameters that are not included in the SAE OBD-II standard. Common examples are reading and clearing codes for ABS (anti-lock braking system), SRS (supplemental restraint system), and TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system).

Learn more in these articles: 


This screen controls certain types of adapter behavior, including whether the LEDs are on or off. You will see the complete set of options when your phone/tablet is Connected to the OBDLink adapter.

Note: You will see different options depending on the type of OBDLink adapter that you have.

  • LEDs Enabled
    By default, the indicator LEDs on your adapter are enabled so you can tell if it is connected to power and if Bluetooth is active. OBDLink adapters use BatterySaver™ Technology low power mode, so they will not drain your vehicle battery and are safe to leave installed.
    If you change this setting, it will not take effect until the next time you connect to your OBDLink adapter.
  • OBDLink MX+ Pairing Mode
    By default, the OBDLink MX+ adapter will automatically enter Bluetooth pairing mode when it boots up.
    If you change this setting, it will not take effect until the next time you connect to your OBDLink adapter.

We recommend that you leave the following settings as-is, because the default configuration will work for most situations and vehicles: 

  • Bluetooth Broadcast Name
  • Bluetooth Modem CoD
  • OBDLink Sleep/Wakeup Settings 

The screenshots below show configuration options that depend on the type of adapter you have.

OBDLink MX+ on iOS device

OBDLink CX on Android device

iOS screen showing OBDLink Configuration options for an MX+ adapter.Android screen showing OBDLink Configuration options for a CX adapter.


Firmware Updates

Our development team periodically releases new updates to the OBDLink adapter firmware. We recommend that you update to the newest version for optimal performance. Follow the steps in this article: Update OBDLink Adapter Firmware


Tap to complete an optional user registration form with your name and email address.

Note: There is a mandatory adapter registration window that pops up when you first connect to your OBDLink adapter, which is not the same as this user registration form. 


Help

Tap Settings > Help to access several help topics within the app:

  • Trouble Codes
    Provides information for reading, interpreting, and clearing trouble codes.
  • Refresh Rate
    Explains PID refresh rate works and provides tips for monitoring PIDs.
  • Dashboards
    Describes how to do advanced tasks with the app dashboards, including reordering dashboards and copying dashboards from other vehicles.
  • User-Defined PIDs
    Provides details on the different fields that are part of User-Defined PIDs.


About

Tap Settings > About > Terms of Use or Privacy Policy to review the OBDLink app user documents. 

Tap Settings > About > Information to access information including the app version, adapter firmware version, and adapter serial number. You will see the complete set of information when your phone/tablet is Connected to the OBDLink adapter.

Note: You will see different information depending on the type of OBDLink adapter that you have.

OBDLink MX+ on iOS device

OBDLink LX on Android device

OBDLink CX on Android device

iOS screen showing About > Information options for an MX+ adapter.
Scroll to see the complete list.		Android screen showing About > Information options for an LX adapter.
Scroll to see the complete list.		Android screen showing About > Information options for a CX adapter.
Scroll to see the complete list.


Set Up New Adapter

Tap to open the Connection Wizard and start the automated process for connecting your phone or tablet to the OBDLink adapter in your vehicle. For step-by-step details, see the Get Started with Your OBDLink® Adapter (iOS and Android) article. 


Contact Support

Tap to send an email to Customer Support. The email has a space for you to enter text. Please enter as many details as possible about your question or issue to improve the troubleshooting process. 

The email may also include app data such as app version, vehicle model, and adapter specs.


Learn more


Need more help?

OBDLink Support Forum 

Submit a Support Ticket



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