ELM327 Wi-Fi vs Vgate iCar2 Wi-Fi: which to buy for iPhone

If you have an iPhone, a Wi-Fi adapter is the simplest way to read your car's fault codes: iOS does not allow the classic Bluetooth used by cheap ELM327s, but it does allow a Wi-Fi network. These are the two Wi-Fi options in this guide and the basics are the same: the adapter creates its own network, the phone joins it and the app talks to the car.

What they have in common

• They work with iPhone and iPad, Android and Windows.
• They take over the phone's Wi-Fi: while you are connected to the adapter, the phone has no internet over Wi-Fi (it uses mobile data).
• They cover the engine: read and clear fault codes, turn off the warning light and show live data (temperature, RPM, O2 sensors, fuel use...).
• HS-CAN only: neither reaches the MS-CAN network on Ford and Mazda.

How they differ

Maker and chip

The ELM327 Wi-Fi is a generic adapter with the PIC18F25K80 microcontroller, the one in the best-rated clones. The Vgate iCar2 is made by Vgate with its own ARM processor and firmware. Both present themselves to apps as an ELM327, so they work with the same programs.

Automatic sleep

The iCar2 goes to sleep after 30 minutes idle. If you want to leave it plugged in, it is the more convenient one. With the ELM327 Wi-Fi, it is wise to unplug it if the car will sit for several days.

Published protocols

Vgate publishes the full list: J1850 PWM and VPW, ISO 9141-2, KWP2000 and 11/29-bit CAN, i.e. every OBD2 protocol. The ELM327 Wi-Fi covers the same standard protocols (CAN, KWP2000, ISO 9141 and J1850).

Price

The ELM327 Wi-Fi is the cheaper of the two (the prices above update with each product page). For the difference, the iCar2 gives you the brand and automatic sleep.

Setting them up on an iPhone

Join the adapter's Wi-Fi network in Settings, then choose a Wi-Fi connection in the app. The ELM327 Wi-Fi uses the WiFiOBD network, IP 192.168.0.10 and port 35000. If it will not connect on iOS 14 or later, the manual IP trick is in how to connect an ELM327 to an iPhone.

Would you rather keep your phone's Wi-Fi? The alternative is Bluetooth 4.0 (LE), such as the Vgate vLinker BM+, built for BMW and MINI but fine with general apps. We compare the connection types in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or USB.

Frequently asked questions

Do both work with an iPhone?

Yes. Both create their own Wi-Fi network, which is what an iPhone or iPad needs to talk to an OBD2 adapter. They work with apps such as Car Scanner, OBD Fusion or inCarDoc.

Can I use the internet on my phone while connected?

Not over Wi-Fi: a phone can only join one Wi-Fi network at a time. Apps that need a connection will use mobile data. It is the same with both.

Which one drains the car battery less?

The Vgate iCar2, because it goes to sleep after 30 minutes idle. With the ELM327 Wi-Fi, unplug it if the car will sit for several days.

Do they work with FORScan on a Ford or Mazda?

For the engine, yes. For every module, no: neither reaches the MS-CAN network. For that you need an adapter such as the ELS27 USB with FORScan on a Windows laptop.