Dr. Prius app with Caritsa OBD device

Question. Do I need an ODB2 adapter if I have Prius Bluetooth. I just recommissioned my old Ipone 6 smartphone for the purpose of running Dr. Prius and any other diagnostic apps that are available. This is for my 2018 Prius Four Premium /w 11.6" screen an 10 JBL audio system - vehicle purchased new, back in May this year.

Verified Iphone 6 Prius Bluthooth connectivity and everything seems to work fine so far. However, I still need to download the diagnostic apps via wifi, since I am no longer using my Iphone 6 as my wireless phone (switched back to android).

Before I start purchasing any Prius/Iphone diagnostic apps I need to know what additional hardware I is required. Otherwise it will be a waste of money.

 

You can get a $25 OBDII adapter on Amazon. Just make sure the one you buy works with iOS. I bought one that works with Android and it will not work with iOS. It states that on the product page on Amazon. I can provide a link if necessary. I think it's called BAFX or something like that. If you get one for the Android you can use your Android phone for it. No need to have a dedicated device. That OBDII adapter will also work with torque and Hybrid Assistant and most other OBDII apps.

Edit: Just checked on Amazon and the iOS version of the BAFX is not bluetooth. It's Wi-Fi. Here is one that is suppsed to work with both iOS and Android via Bluetooth. I own and know about BAFX for Android. This one is unknown to me, but seems to have good reviews.

 

Yes. I just now realized that while shopping around for OBDII adapters. When I first got my Prius Four this year, I wanted to keep my Android connected to the Prius audio/phone BT interface and use the Iphone for diagnostics incl Dr Prius, Torque Pro, etc. BT is not capable of supporting more than one device simultaneously. Using my Iphone for diagnostics and other apps would allow me to keep my Verizon android phone for hands-free applications. The only downside to using my old Iphone6 for diagnostics is that it cannot use a wireless charger. However, I consider this only a minor inconvenience.

In any case, thankyou for your help. You answered my question... ...I need to purchase a separate OBDII BT device to do what I want to do.

 

My old Android phone with an older version 6 Android supports more than one BT device. I can have it connected to my Prius and the OBDII adapter and a BT music adapter. My gen 2 Prius does not stream music over BT, only does phone. So I have a BT music adapter that plugs into the aux plug on the Prius. All three devices happily work together on the same phone. Music goes to the music adapter, when phone rings it goes via Prius and I can see my OBDII output live on Torque or Dr. Prius.

 

I am fairly well versed in IT in general, but new to OBD2. A cursory review of these devices/apps have left me with the impression that the technology is still in flux with very little standardization. For example, many apps rely either on wi-fi or Bluetooth, but not both. Torque Pro requires wi-fi, but most other apps seem to have migrated towards Blutooth. With that regard, the Blutooth hardware appears to be quasi-proprietary and, consequently, are very limited in the number of apps that they support. Some, like Carista, amazingly, are subscription devices. The variations in proprietary devices/protocols are so numerous to basically render the market totally lacking in configuration control.

This has led me to believe that the best I can hope for is to purchase the least expensive general purpose diagnostic app/connectivity device, as throw-away diagnostic tool, with the expectation that it will become obsolete within a few years.

 

I just ordered the BAFX wifi (both ios and android compatible). BAFX also seems to be supported by a wider range of diagnostic apps. But, as indicated earlier, I expect that I will be upgrading to a Bluetooth device later, once the industry gets their act together.

Thanks for the info.

 

BTW, I am coming up on 5000 miles. Should I remove the OBD2 wifi/bluetooth dongle when I take my Prius in for scheduled maintenance?

 

Just received my BAFX wifi OBD2 scanner - checked out SAT. However, I didn't get Torque Pro. Apparently, they're having some problems with their app and got some bad reviews recently, so I played it safe and got Fusion ODB2 which I was able to connect. So far so good.

Thanx for all the help and info.

 

You mentioned that you got the wi-fi version of the adapter (I think). I have the BT version and it works really well with my android phone. I can use my phone for connecting to my gen 2 Prius interface, my streaming audio interface that is plugged into the aux of the Prius and the BAFX OBDII adapter. All at once. It works great and everything goes to the correct BT channel. Apple, on the other hand does not work with BT OBDII for some reason. I think Carista is BT and works with iOS, but not sure. I am not a big Apple fan, though I do use iPhone 5S right now for phone purposes.

Good luck and enjoy the adapter. I recommend Dr. Prius and Hybrid Assistant apps. I use Torque Pro, but not crazy about it. I will check out Fusion.

 

I don’t.