Unlock BMW Coding on Your iPhone: A Guide to Using the OBD2 Lightning Cable

For BMW enthusiasts eager to dive into DIY car coding with BimmerCode on your iPhone, you might have encountered a connection hurdle. While traditionally ENET cables connect via RJ45, iPhones utilize the lightning port. This guide will walk you through setting up an Obd2 Lightning Cable connection, allowing you to unleash the power of BimmerCode directly from your iPhone. This method provides a reliable ethernet connection, bypassing the need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and ensuring a stable link for coding modifications.

What You Need to Code BMW with iPhone and OBD2 Lightning Cable

Before we begin, ensure you have the necessary equipment:

• iPhone: This guide is confirmed working on iPhone 12 Pro and should be compatible with other recent models with a lightning port and up-to-date iOS.
• BimmerCode App: Make sure you have the latest version of the BimmerCode app installed on your iPhone.
• OBD2 ENET Cable: A standard ENET (Ethernet to OBD2) cable used for BMW coding.
• Lightning to RJ45 Adapter: A no-name or reputable brand adapter that converts the iPhone’s lightning port to an RJ45 ethernet port. These are readily available online.

Step-by-Step Guide: Connecting Your OBD2 Lightning Cable for BimmerCode

Follow these steps carefully to establish a successful connection between your iPhone, OBD2 ENET cable, and your BMW for BimmerCode access:

1. Initial Car and Cable Setup (Outside the iPhone):

• Plug the OBD2 end of your ENET cable securely into your BMW’s OBD2 port.
• Connect the RJ45 end of the ENET cable into the RJ45 port of your lightning adapter.
• Do not plug the lightning adapter into your iPhone yet.

2. Prepare Your BMW:

• Enter auxiliary mode in your BMW. This means turning on the car’s electronics without starting the engine. Typically, this is done by pressing the start/stop button without pressing the brake pedal. Wait for all systems to power up and the car to chime, indicating it’s in auxiliary mode.

3. iPhone Network Settings (Crucial for Ethernet Priority):

• Crucially, DO NOT enable Airplane Mode. Airplane mode can interfere with the necessary background processes for ethernet detection on iPhones.
• Manually disable the following on your iPhone through the Control Center or Settings app:
  1. Cellular Data: Turn off cellular data completely.
  2. Wi-Fi: Disable Wi-Fi.
  3. Bluetooth: Turn off Bluetooth.
• Wait for 30 Seconds: This is a critical step. Disabling cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth doesn’t instantly shut them down. Give your iPhone approximately 30 seconds to fully process these disconnections in its system background. This ensures a clean slate for the ethernet connection to take priority.

4. Connect the Lightning Adapter to Your iPhone:

• Now, plug the lightning end of your adapter into your iPhone’s lightning port.

5. Verify Ethernet Connection in iPhone Settings:

• Navigate to your iPhone’s “Settings” app.
• Look for a new line item that has appeared just below your Apple ID and above “Bluetooth” and “Wi-Fi.” This line should read “Ethernet.”
• If “Ethernet” doesn’t appear: It might be necessary to unplug and replug the lightning adapter from your iPhone to prompt the “Ethernet” setting to appear.

6. Configure Ethernet Settings:

• Tap on the “Ethernet” line.
• Select “USB 10/100 LAN.”
• Tap “Renew Lease.” Confirm “Renew Lease” on the pop-up prompt. This step ensures your iPhone obtains a valid IP address through the ethernet connection.

7. BimmerCode App Configuration and Connection:

• Open the BimmerCode App on your iPhone.
• Resist the immediate urge to press “Connect” on the main screen.
• Tap the “Settings” gear icon located at the bottom right corner of the BimmerCode app interface.
• Intentionally Change Adapter Type (Temporary): In the Adapter settings, select any adapter type that you know you are not using. For example, select “OBDLink LX” or “Bluetooth Adapter” even though you are using an ENET cable.
• Go back to the main BimmerCode screen and tap “Connect.” The app should quickly attempt to connect and then display an error message because you have intentionally selected the wrong adapter type.
• Return to the BimmerCode “Settings” again.
• Correct Adapter Type: Now, select “ENET Cable” as your adapter type in the settings.
• Go back to the main BimmerCode screen one last time and tap “Connect.”

8. Successful Connection and Vehicle Selection:

• If all steps have been followed correctly, BimmerCode should now successfully establish a connection with your BMW through the OBD2 lightning cable setup.
• You should be presented with the vehicle model selection screen within the BimmerCode app, indicating a successful connection.

Congratulations! You have successfully configured your OBD2 lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your BMW for coding with BimmerCode. This method provides a reliable and direct ethernet connection, enabling you to perform coding modifications with confidence. Enjoy exploring the customization options for your BMW!