Are you looking to diagnose issues with your BMW or dive into coding and customizations using apps like BimmerCode on your iPhone? While traditionally, OBD2 connections might bring to mind Bluetooth adapters, there’s a more reliable and faster method for a wired connection: using an ENET (Ethernet to OBD2) cable and your iPhone. This guide will walk you through the steps to successfully connect your iPhone to your car’s OBD2 port using an ENET cable and a Lightning to RJ45 adapter, ensuring a stable link for diagnostics and coding.
This method, successfully tested on an iPhone 12 Pro with the latest iOS, provides a robust connection, bypassing potential Bluetooth connectivity issues. Here’s how you can set it up:
What You Will Need:
- iPhone: (iOS up to date, tested on iPhone 12 Pro)
- BimmerCode App: (or other compatible OBD2 apps)
- ENET Cable (Ethernet to OBD2): This cable connects to your car’s OBD2 port.
- Lightning to RJ45 Adapter: An adapter to connect the ENET cable’s RJ45 end to your iPhone’s Lightning port. These are readily available from online retailers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connect Your OBD2 ENET Cable to Your iPhone:
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Initial Car Connection: Plug the ENET cable into your car’s OBD2 port. This port is typically located under the dashboard on the driver’s side.
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Adapter Connection: Connect the RJ45 end of the ENET cable into the RJ45 port of your Lightning adapter. Do not plug the adapter into your iPhone yet.
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Prepare Your Car: Turn your car’s ignition to auxiliary mode. This powers up the car’s electronics without starting the engine. Wait for all systems to initialize and the car to chime, indicating it’s ready.
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iPhone Network Settings (Crucial): This is where the magic happens to ensure a direct Ethernet connection and prevent interference from other wireless signals. On your iPhone, before plugging in the adapter, perform the following:
- Disable Cellular Data: Turn off cellular data in settings.
- Disable Wi-Fi: Turn off Wi-Fi in settings.
- Disable Bluetooth: Turn off Bluetooth in settings.
- Wait Briefly: Give your iPhone approximately 30 seconds after disabling these services. This allows the phone’s system processes to fully disconnect these data services, ensuring they don’t interfere with the Ethernet connection.
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Connect to iPhone: Now, plug the Lightning end of the adapter into your iPhone’s Lightning port.
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Verify Ethernet Connection: Go to your iPhone’s Settings app. Scroll down, and you should see a new option labeled “Ethernet” listed between “Bluetooth” and “Wi-Fi.” If it doesn’t appear immediately, try disconnecting and reconnecting the Lightning adapter.
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Renew IP Lease: Tap on “Ethernet,” then select “USB 10/100 LAN.” Tap “Renew Lease” and confirm when the pop-up appears. This step ensures your iPhone obtains a valid IP address for the Ethernet connection.
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BimmerCode App Configuration (Important App Trick): Open the BimmerCode app, but resist the temptation to hit “Connect” immediately.
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Adapter Settings in BimmerCode: Navigate to the settings menu within the BimmerCode app (usually a gear icon in the bottom right). Change the adapter type to any adapter that you do not actually have. This is a temporary step to reset the connection process within the app.
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Attempt Connection (Expect Error): Go back to the main screen of BimmerCode and tap “Connect.” The app should quickly attempt to connect and then display an error message because you’ve selected the wrong adapter type. This is expected.
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Correct Adapter Selection: Return to the BimmerCode settings menu and now select “ENET Cable” as your adapter type.
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Final Connection: Go back to the main BimmerCode screen and tap “Connect” again.
At this point, you should see the prompt to select your vehicle model and type within the BimmerCode app. This indicates a successful connection using your ENET cable and iPhone!
By following these steps, you can establish a reliable wired connection between your iPhone and your car’s OBD2 port using an ENET cable setup. This method is particularly beneficial for coding and diagnostics, offering a stable and fast data transfer compared to wireless OBD2 adapters. Enjoy exploring the capabilities of your BMW with a robust iPhone connection!
Image: iPhone Ethernet settings showing “Ethernet” option after successful adapter connection, illustrating the USB 10/100 LAN configuration and the Renew Lease button.
Image: BimmerCode app settings showing the adapter selection menu, highlighting the ‘ENET Cable’ option and the gear icon for settings access.
