Using BimmerLink or BimmerCode w/ENET Cable & Ethernet to Lightning Adapter

[jmciver]

I recently received updates for both BimmerLink and BimmerCode for iOS which added the functionality to use an ENET cable as the interface to the car. In order to use the ENET cable with an iPhone, you would need a lightning to ethernet adapter for the iPhone. I don't use either app on a regular basis, but when I do, I would prefer to use a wired connection for better stability and data transfer rates. I have an ENET cable but only use it with my laptop, with either E-Sys (for coding) or ISTA (for diagnostics).

However, I am curious if anyone has used this hardware combo with an iPhone and which hardware works well - specifically the lightning to ethernet adapter (since not all adapters are created equal when it comes to working properly and consistently with iPhones).

Thanks!

[Nonopr01]

The adapter for enet cable cost as much a the best wifi/bluetooth adapter.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Nonopr01

The adapter for enet cable cost as much a the best wifi/bluetooth adapter.

Depends on what your definition of the "best" adapter is - if it is other than price. Two very capable and reliable (albeit expensive) wireless adapters (Kiwi and OBDLink) are $100 and $80 respectively. While lightning to Ethernet adapters can be had for as cheap as $20. My question is not about cost of the hardware, but about if anyone has used the Ethernet hardware and which hardware works (or not). Even the best wireless adapters can still have issues just due to the inherent weaknesses of any type of wireless technology.

[amberzombie]

I just finished coding using BimmerCode with an ENET cable and Lightning to Ethernet adaptor.

It didn't work with my iPhone X, but I plugged it into an old iPhone 7 and it worked perfectly. Not sure what went wrong there.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by amberzombie

I just finished coding using BimmerCode with an ENET cable and Lightning to Ethernet adaptor.

It didn't work with my iPhone X, but I plugged it into an old iPhone 7 and it worked perfectly. Not sure what went wrong there.

Which lightning to ethernet adapter did you use? The only thing I can think of is that the chip set in the adapter is not compatible with the newer iPhones ??? Either that or the iOS version on your X is too new for the adapter....

[amberzombie]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Which lightning to ethernet adapter did you use? The only thing I can think of is that the chip set in the adapter is not compatible with the newer iPhones ??? Either that or the iOS version on your X is too new for the adapter....

Brandless - one just got off eBay for like $10.

[flexspec]

Device: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Can confirm this cable works: used both BimmerCode and BimmerLink
https://amzn.com/B07XHQCQSN

It is fast! Not a fan of the wireless adapter. Hardwired is extremely quick. Out of abundance of caution I still hook up my car to a 70A flash mode charger.

Hope this helps someone.

[arucano]

Originally Posted by amberzombie

I just finished coding using BimmerCode with an ENET cable and Lightning to Ethernet adaptor.

It didn't work with my iPhone X, but I plugged it into an old iPhone 7 and it worked perfectly. Not sure what went wrong there.

i have tried it with my 6s. It gets the ip address but then says "device not compatible with this phone" when I try to use bimmer code.

[flilow06]

I use BimmerCode on my F80 and G20 with iPhone X + ENET Cable/Lightning Adapter.
No connection issues, high-speed, inexpensive...

I use the following:
ENET Cable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lightning Adapter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[arucano]

that is the exact same combination I use. I have the iphone 6s+. Could that be the problem?

[DeeKay]

Wow - is this really a true alternative? As a Mac guy privately and with a PC from work that's totally locked down, I have no real coding options at the moment.

This would be amazing for small codes. I have installed a 6WB in my F36 and miss small features I need to enable - it looks to be a true full coding option this.

[DeeKay]

Just for good measure, I can confirm that this adapter works with my iPhone 11 Pro

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pretty damn cool app

[sappersix]

Originally Posted by iceweasel

Hope this helps someone.

Thank you! Just ordered. I'm with you on preferring a stable wired connection.

[iiNNeX]

Apologies for the thread revival but after using a Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ adapter, I just couldn't stand how slow it was anymore so decided to get an ENET cable and the following Ethernet to Lightning adapter: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B086MQGW2X

Unfortunately it does not appear to work on my iPhone 11 Pro though. I put the phone in airplane mode, turned off BT, WiFi and had the car on ignition with nothing else running (Heater, seats etc all off). And it just simply wouldn't connect, over and over again.

Bimmercode have a page where it says if it keeps failing, just get out the car, lock it and leave it a while, then try again. Did this, but still nothing.

Help ?


Edit: Forgot to add that the phone clearly recognises the adapter as it assigns and IP address just fine and I have previously used the ENET cable to flash CarPlay Fullscreen so both cables work as they should, it must be the app or just my phone? I ll try with the iPad tomorrow.

[jmciver]

It is the app, unfortunately. I have had periods of time when it would not connect with BimmerCode, but would connect with BimmerLink and a few other apps I have to interface with my car. I have no idea why BimmerCode does this from time to time, especially when BimmerLink (made by the same developer) connects every time. I just ended up being patient and it eventually did connect.

[F82SO2]

Originally Posted by iiNNeX

Apologies for the thread revival but after using a Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ adapter, I just couldn't stand how slow it was anymore so decided to get an ENET cable and the following Ethernet to Lightning adapter: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B086MQGW2X

Unfortunately it does not appear to work on my iPhone 11 Pro though. I put the phone in airplane mode, turned off BT, WiFi and had the car on ignition with nothing else running (Heater, seats etc all off). And it just simply wouldn't connect, over and over again.

Bimmercode have a page where it says if it keeps failing, just get out the car, lock it and leave it a while, then try again. Did this, but still nothing.

Help ?


Edit: Forgot to add that the phone clearly recognises the adapter as it assigns and IP address just fine and I have previously used the ENET cable to flash CarPlay Fullscreen so both cables work as they should, it must be the app or just my phone? I ll try with the iPad tomorrow.

Originally Posted by jmciver

It is the app, unfortunately. I have had periods of time when it would not connect with BimmerCode, but would connect with BimmerLink and a few other apps I have to interface with my car. I have no idea why BimmerCode does this from time to time, especially when BimmerLink (made by the same developer) connects every time. I just ended up being patient and it eventually did connect.

I have the opposite situation.
My ENET will connect to Bimmercode but not to Bimmerlink. Tried everything. I'm in android BTW. It must be an app issue.

[cmohler10]

Hello Everyone, [first ever bimmer forum post]

I have just got this setup to work on my iPhone 12 Pro. Hope this helps.

I received my no name amazon lightning port to RJ45 adapter and ENET cable. Excited to start coding I was quickly unexcited to see I could not get the app to read my new adapter. I read this thread looking for answers and since I saw comments were surprisingly recent and no solution found I decided to register an account and detail my steps for everyone here.

March 12th, 2021
iPhone 12 Pro (up to date iOS)
BimmerCode app (updated today actually)
RJ45 adapter (ethernet adapter)
ENET Cable

Step 1) Plug in Enet to OBD2
Step 2) Plug in rj45 adapter to Enet cable (do not plug into phone yet)
Step 3) Put the car in auxiliary mode let everything turn on and chime

Now go to your iPhone
DO NOT PUT YOUR PHONE IN AIRPLANE MODE
Disable the following:
1.Cellular
2.wifi
3.Bluetooth
(3 bubbles in the upper left of the shortcuts screen)


Step 4) Plug your already connected adapter into your iPhone's lightning port.
**IMPORTANT** When you disable cellular and wifi and bluetooth on iPhone those services do not instantly disconnect (they actually never truly disconnect but thats for a different forum group) give it a solid 30 seconds for the phone to run its scheduled 'shut downs' once data is disabled.

Step 5) Confirm the "Ethernet" Line has appeared in your iPhone's settings below your
Apple ID, between "Bluetooth" and "Wi-Fi" (you may/probably will have to disconnect and reconnect the lightning adapter to get the "ethernet" line to appear

Step 6) Click on "Ethernet" -> Click the "USB 10/100 LAN"
Step 7) Click on "Renew Lease" and confirm you want to renew the lease on the pop-up

Open Bimmercode App
RESIST THE URGE TO CLICK ON CONNECT AS SOON AS THE APP OPENS
Step 8) click the settings gear wheel in bimmer code app (bottom right)
step 9) change your adapter in the settings to literally any adapter YOU DO NOT HAVE
Step 10) on Bimmercodes main screen click "Connect"
It should very quickly return an error
Step 11) go back into bimmer code settings
Step 12) Select "ENET Cable" as your adapter type
Step 13) go back to the main bimmercode screen and click "connect"

You should now see the prompt of selecting your vehicle model and type appear and it *Should* connect successfully!

Hope this helps!

[cmohler10]

.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by cmohler10

Hope this helps!

Tried this step by step with an iPhone 12mini on latest OS and latest bimmercode update as of today's date and it didn't work. Enet shows IP address in settings so it doesn't appear to be faulty hardware.

Edit: After emailing Stephan and sending my logs he had me disconnect my battery tender and try again using the 8 steps in the manual (under app settings) and it worked first try. Figures.

[MauiSteve]

The below was spot on! Thought my cables had gone bad. A big mahalo for posting this and saving me from thinking I had to buy the CX bluetooth.

Originally Posted by cmohler10

Hello Everyone, [first ever bimmer forum post]

I have just got this setup to work on my iPhone 12 Pro. Hope this helps.

I received my no name amazon lightning port to RJ45 adapter and ENET cable. Excited to start coding I was quickly unexcited to see I could not get the app to read my new adapter. I read this thread looking for answers and since I saw comments were surprisingly recent and no solution found I decided to register an account and detail my steps for everyone here.

March 12th, 2021
iPhone 12 Pro (up to date iOS)
BimmerCode app (updated today actually)
RJ45 adapter (ethernet adapter)
ENET Cable

Step 1) Plug in Enet to OBD2
Step 2) Plug in rj45 adapter to Enet cable (do not plug into phone yet)
Step 3) Put the car in auxiliary mode let everything turn on and chime

Now go to your iPhone
DO NOT PUT YOUR PHONE IN AIRPLANE MODE
Disable the following:
1.Cellular
2.wifi
3.Bluetooth
(3 bubbles in the upper left of the shortcuts screen)


Step 4) Plug your already connected adapter into your iPhone's lightning port.
**IMPORTANT** When you disable cellular and wifi and bluetooth on iPhone those services do not instantly disconnect (they actually never truly disconnect but thats for a different forum group) give it a solid 30 seconds for the phone to run its scheduled 'shut downs' once data is disabled.

Step 5) Confirm the "Ethernet" Line has appeared in your iPhone's settings below your
Apple ID, between "Bluetooth" and "Wi-Fi" (you may/probably will have to disconnect and reconnect the lightning adapter to get the "ethernet" line to appear

Step 6) Click on "Ethernet" -> Click the "USB 10/100 LAN"
Step 7) Click on "Renew Lease" and confirm you want to renew the lease on the pop-up

Open Bimmercode App
RESIST THE URGE TO CLICK ON CONNECT AS SOON AS THE APP OPENS
Step 8) click the settings gear wheel in bimmer code app (bottom right)
step 9) change your adapter in the settings to literally any adapter YOU DO NOT HAVE
Step 10) on Bimmercodes main screen click "Connect"
It should very quickly return an error
Step 11) go back into bimmer code settings
Step 12) Select "ENET Cable" as your adapter type
Step 13) go back to the main bimmercode screen and click "connect"

You should now see the prompt of selecting your vehicle model and type appear and it *Should* connect successfully!

Hope this helps!

[Canavar]

Hello everyone
For some reason my iphone won’t give an ip-address after I connected the ethernet. I also don’t get the ‘renew license’ pop up. All help is welcome.

Thanks

Originally Posted by cmohler10

Hello Everyone, [first ever bimmer forum post]

I have just got this setup to work on my iPhone 12 Pro. Hope this helps.

I received my no name amazon lightning port to RJ45 adapter and ENET cable. Excited to start coding I was quickly unexcited to see I could not get the app to read my new adapter. I read this thread looking for answers and since I saw comments were surprisingly recent and no solution found I decided to register an account and detail my steps for everyone here.

March 12th, 2021
iPhone 12 Pro (up to date iOS)
BimmerCode app (updated today actually)
RJ45 adapter (ethernet adapter)
ENET Cable

Step 1) Plug in Enet to OBD2
Step 2) Plug in rj45 adapter to Enet cable (do not plug into phone yet)
Step 3) Put the car in auxiliary mode let everything turn on and chime

Now go to your iPhone
DO NOT PUT YOUR PHONE IN AIRPLANE MODE
Disable the following:
1.Cellular
2.wifi
3.Bluetooth
(3 bubbles in the upper left of the shortcuts screen)


Step 4) Plug your already connected adapter into your iPhone's lightning port.
**IMPORTANT** When you disable cellular and wifi and bluetooth on iPhone those services do not instantly disconnect (they actually never truly disconnect but thats for a different forum group) give it a solid 30 seconds for the phone to run its scheduled 'shut downs' once data is disabled.

Step 5) Confirm the "Ethernet" Line has appeared in your iPhone's settings below your
Apple ID, between "Bluetooth" and "Wi-Fi" (you may/probably will have to disconnect and reconnect the lightning adapter to get the "ethernet" line to appear

Step 6) Click on "Ethernet" -> Click the "USB 10/100 LAN"
Step 7) Click on "Renew Lease" and confirm you want to renew the lease on the pop-up

Open Bimmercode App
RESIST THE URGE TO CLICK ON CONNECT AS SOON AS THE APP OPENS
Step 8) click the settings gear wheel in bimmer code app (bottom right)
step 9) change your adapter in the settings to literally any adapter YOU DO NOT HAVE
Step 10) on Bimmercodes main screen click "Connect"
It should very quickly return an error
Step 11) go back into bimmer code settings
Step 12) Select "ENET Cable" as your adapter type
Step 13) go back to the main bimmercode screen and click "connect"

You should now see the prompt of selecting your vehicle model and type appear and it *Should* connect successfully!

Hope this helps!

[BeeMdblU]

Originally Posted by Canavar

Hello everyone
For some reason my iphone won’t give an ip-address after I connected the ethernet. I also don’t get the ‘renew license’ pop up. All help is welcome.

Thanks

any solution to this?