Screen 1
Home and connection status
Confirm that the OBD-II dongle is ready and that the app is linked to your account. From here you can open the recording screen, analyze the latest drive, or enter Setup / Tools.
Android app guide
Using the Car Health Data Android app
The Android app connects to a compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapter, collects vehicle operating data, and securely sends each recording to your Car Health Data account. This page explains the complete setup and recording process.
A quick tour of the Android app
These three screens cover the normal workflow: confirm the app is ready, connect and link it in Setup / Tools, then record and review live vehicle data.
Screen 2
Setup / Tools
Use this screen to scan for and select the Bluetooth Low Energy OBD-II adapter. The same area also lets you link the app to your Car Health Data account with a temporary code from the website.
Screen 3
Record a drive
Tap Start Recording while safely parked. During the session, supported values appear in the live-data panels. After the drive, tap Stop Recording, then use Analyze This Drive when analysis is available for your account.
Screen appearance and available readings may vary slightly by Android version, vehicle, adapter, and app release.
Before you start
You will need a few items ready before the app can collect vehicle data.
Compatible Android phone
Use an Android phone with Bluetooth and an active internet connection. The internet connection is needed to upload recorded data to your account.
Compatible OBD-II adapter
Use a Bluetooth Low Energy OBD-II adapter known to work with your vehicle and Android phone. The Vgate iCar Pro BLE adapter is a recommended option.
OBD-II equipped vehicle
Most passenger vehicles sold in the United States from model year 1996 onward include an OBD-II diagnostic connector, usually beneath the dashboard near the steering column.
Car Health Data account
Create an account on the Car Health Data website before linking the app. The account ensures that recordings are assigned to the correct user.
Safety: Complete setup before driving. Do not operate
the phone, change app settings, or troubleshoot the adapter while the
vehicle is moving.
Link the app to your account
Linking identifies which Car Health Data account should receive the recordings sent by the app.
1
Sign in on the website
Open the Car Health Data website in a browser and sign in to your account.
2
Generate a linking code
Open the account or app-linking section of the website and generate a temporary linking code.
3
Open Setup in the Android app
From the app home screen, tap Setup or Setup / Tools, then open the account-linking screen.
4
Enter the code
Enter the temporary linking code exactly as shown on the website, then tap the button to link the app.
5
Confirm the connection
The app should report that the account was linked successfully. You normally need to complete this process only once unless the app is reinstalled, its data is cleared, or you intentionally link it to another account.
Connect the Bluetooth OBD-II adapter
The adapter allows the phone to communicate with the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system.
1
Locate the OBD-II connector
The connector is usually under the dashboard on the driver's side. It is a 16-pin, roughly trapezoidal socket.
2
Insert the adapter
With the vehicle parked, firmly plug the adapter into the OBD-II connector. Most adapters receive power immediately.
3
Turn the ignition on
Start the engine for a live driving session. For some setup tests, placing the ignition in the ON position may be enough, although engine-related readings will be limited until the engine runs.
4
Allow Android permissions
When requested, allow Bluetooth and nearby-device permissions. Depending on the Android version, location permission may also be required for Bluetooth scanning.
5
Scan for the adapter
In the app, open the dongle or Bluetooth scan screen and begin a
scan. Compatible devices may appear with names such as
IOS-Vlink, VLINK, VGATE,
or another manufacturer name.
6
Select the correct device
Tap the adapter name and wait for the app to report that the connection is ready. If several nearby Bluetooth devices appear, verify the adapter's advertised name in its instructions or turn other nearby Bluetooth accessories off temporarily.
Important: Many inexpensive adapters use older
Bluetooth Classic technology or unreliable ELM327 clones. A device may
appear during scanning yet still fail to communicate correctly. A
known-compatible BLE adapter is strongly recommended.
Record a driving session
Each time you begin recording, the app creates a new session so the readings from one drive remain separate from another.
1
Confirm the app is linked
Make sure the app is linked to your account before recording. Unlinked data may not be assigned correctly.
2
Connect to the adapter
Confirm that the vehicle is running and that the app reports a successful Bluetooth connection.
3
Tap Start Recording
The app creates a unique session and begins requesting supported readings from the vehicle.
4
Drive normally
Leave the phone and adapter undisturbed while the app records. The app may collect values such as:
- Engine RPM
- Vehicle speed
- Coolant temperature
- Throttle position
- Battery or charging-system voltage
- Location data, when enabled and permitted
- Additional supported engine and sensor readings
5
Tap Stop Recording
Stop the session after the drive is complete. Allow a few moments for any remaining readings to be uploaded before unplugging the adapter or closing the app.
6
Review the session online
Sign in to the Car Health Data website to browse the recorded raw data, select the session, and request an analytical report when that feature is available for your account.
Understanding the app
The app collects and uploads vehicle data, displays selected live readings, and can request an analysis of the most recent drive when that feature is available for your account. The website also provides session browsing and account tools.
Home screen
The home screen provides access to recording controls, connection status, setup tools, and help.
Setup / Tools
Use this area to link your account, scan for the Bluetooth adapter, review connection settings, and access setup assistance.
Connection status
The connection message shows whether the app has discovered and connected to the selected OBD-II adapter.
Live readings
During recording, the app may show selected live values or status information. Not every supported reading needs to be displayed on the phone to be uploaded.
Session ID
Each recording has a unique session identifier. It lets the website group all readings from the same drive and can help support locate a specific recording.
Location data
When location permission is enabled, the app may include latitude and longitude with recorded data. Location access can also be required by some Android versions to perform Bluetooth scanning.
Raw data
Raw data consists of the measurements returned by the vehicle and recorded with timestamps. These values remain available for review and provide the basis for analytical reports.
AI-assisted analysis
The analysis reviews a complete session and presents notable patterns in readable language. It is an informational aid and not a substitute for professional diagnosis or inspection.
Troubleshooting
The following steps resolve many common connection and recording problems.
The adapter does not appear during scanning
- Confirm that the adapter is fully inserted.
- Turn the ignition on or start the engine.
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the phone.
- Allow Nearby Devices, Bluetooth, and location permissions.
- Move the phone closer to the adapter.
- Close other OBD or Bluetooth diagnostic apps.
- Unplug the adapter for 10 seconds, reconnect it, and scan again.
The app sees the adapter but cannot connect
- Make sure no other phone or app is connected to the adapter.
- Restart Bluetooth on the phone.
- Restart the app and scan again.
- Unplug and reconnect the adapter.
- Confirm that the adapter supports Bluetooth Low Energy.
- Try the recommended Vgate iCar Pro BLE adapter.
The app connects but shows no vehicle data
- Start the engine rather than leaving only accessory power on.
- Wait several seconds for adapter initialization.
- Confirm the adapter works with the vehicle using a known diagnostic app.
- Some vehicles do not support every requested measurement.
- Disconnect, reconnect, and begin a new recording session.
The website does not show the new session
- Confirm that the phone had an internet connection.
- Verify that the app is linked to the correct account.
- Allow a short time for the final readings to upload.
- Refresh the website session list.
- Do not clear app data before confirming the upload.
Only a small number of readings were recorded
The app requests measurements in sequence, and the adapter or vehicle may respond slowly. A short drive can therefore contain fewer readings than expected. For a useful test:
- Record for several minutes.
- Wait for a confirmed connection before starting.
- Keep the phone close to the adapter.
- Avoid switching to other Bluetooth-intensive apps.
- Use a reliable, known-compatible adapter.
The app asks for location permission
Some Android versions require location permission before an app can scan for nearby Bluetooth devices. Car Health Data may also record location with session data when that feature is enabled. Review the Privacy Policy for more information.
The app was reinstalled and no longer recognizes my account
Reinstalling the app or clearing its stored data removes the saved account token. Generate a new linking code on the website and repeat the account-linking process.
Tips for better recordings
Begin before driving
Connect the adapter and start recording while safely parked. This can capture startup and warm-up behavior.
Record long enough
A session lasting several minutes usually provides more useful information than a very short test.
Include normal operation
When safe and appropriate, allow the recording to include idle, normal acceleration, steady driving, and deceleration.
Describe unusual symptoms
Keep notes about warning lights, noises, poor running, weather, or other symptoms. These details may help when reviewing the data or discussing it with a mechanic.
Diagnostic limitation: Vehicle data can provide useful
clues, but not every mechanical, electrical, or safety problem appears
in OBD-II data. Never delay inspection or repair of a suspected safety
problem because the app did not identify it.
Still need help?
Email support with a description of the problem, your phone model, Android version, OBD-II adapter brand, vehicle year and model, and the session ID if one is available.
Email Android Support