Q: I want to connect a obd2 bluetooth device. Do i have to buy an android?

When looking at the latest support document for iOS, it appears that it does not support the particular profile they are talking about. iOS: Supported Bluetooth profiles - Apple Support  I would say that is the issue as to why it will not pair.

According to the site for the device, and the apps they are mentioning, it does work with the iPhone. Which profile was it?

I was thinking it was the odb2 they were mentioning, but then I guess I could have taken the time to review the links provided earlier. Guess I'm just exceeding my ability to look like an idiot this afternoon! Maybe I'll take time to look again.

The manufacturer's data sheet says the ELM327 BlueTooth version is not compatible with Apple devices, and some of the reviews of the applications that support it confirm that. The WiFi version is compatible, but not the Bluetooth. There are a number of OBD II scanners that are compatible and work with iOS, but the ELM327 is not one of them.

Thank you Lawrence. I must have been looking at the WiFi.

Yes, I just found that. I went from the first link provided which was a 404 from Amazon. I searched and found this. http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/elm327-bluetooth/ which says the Bluetooth version does not work with iOS, you have to get the Wi-Fi version. So, I'm not sure what Bluetooth profile it uses to communicate with the device, but it is obviously one that is not supported by the iPhone.  Compatible with absolutely any Android OBD app. (Not compatible with Apple devices. For iOS, get WIFI version).   My emphasis added.

It's a very confusing data sheet; I had to read it 3 times to work it out.

the elm327 I have is brand new, never been paired with any devices before

I bought my elm327 off of ebay, and it said it was ios capatible, but obviously it isn't.

According to the manufacturer it is not.

bummer, but thanks guys. It would be nice if it would Bluetooth to my head unit, pioneer avic8000nex

Deleted, because the message it was in response to was deleted.

The proposed solution to use an Android platform is a work around.

There appears to be another less expensive work around for Apple users -- purchasing an ELM327 WiFi dongle and giving away or selling the ELM327 Bluetooth dongle.  The "OBD Fusion" app (for Apple) seems to work according to You Tube videos for a ELM327 WiFi dongle. 

The alternative of buying or borrowing an Android device and buying the Torque application (Torque is the Android version of OBD Fusion) seems to be a more expensive option than buying a $20 WiFi type adapter dongle that has been demonstrated on iPhones in You Tube videos.

Finally, I think that the "OBD Fusion" app description at the Apple store is misleading.  At minimum, the software description should say that OBD Fusion will work only for the WiFi version of the ELM327 dongle.   Based on several postings prior to this one, it seems unlikely that the "OBD Fusion" app will work with any iPhone, iPad or iPod and the Bluetooth version of the ELM327 dongle. 

Hi

Where to buy that wifi type adapter

so i can use my iphone instead of

switching to android phones? i dont

trust video demonstration they're tricking

customers saying it works but it really

doesnt!

thanks

Sent from my ☎️

I searched for "ELM327 WiFi OBD2" and found several sellers on major shopping web sites.

  You can find WiFi dongles that look just like the Bluetooth dongles for $10 to $20 on many on-line sites including

Amazon, NewEgg and Ebay.  The difference that is important to Apple (iOS) users is that the interface is WiFi rather than Bluetooth.

  Ebay has vendors with high customer satisfaction rates that ship without (additional shipping charges) internationally.