A compact Bluetooth 4.0 adapter that connects to iPhones inside the app and pairs with Android phones the classic way. It sleeps at a few milliamps when the car is off, with one catch for hybrids and EVs.
Most adapters make you learn one connection method. The Vgate iCar Pro Bluetooth 4.0 has two, one per phone type, and knowing which one applies saves a lot of head-scratching in the driveway. On an iPhone there is no manual pairing at all; on Android you pair it like a headset.
That split exists because iPhones only talk to Bluetooth LE accessories from apps, while many Android apps expect a normal paired Bluetooth device. The iCar Pro serves both.
Because it is Bluetooth rather than Wi-Fi, your phone keeps its mobile data and Wi-Fi while you scan. Wi-Fi adapters take over the phone's Wi-Fi connection, which breaks navigation and streaming for the length of the session. Vgate also points out that Bluetooth uses less power than Wi-Fi adapters.
The iCar Pro speaks the ELM327 command set, so general OBD2 apps such as Car Scanner and OBD Fusion can use it. Vgate does not name the chip inside. The Classic vs BLE explainer goes deeper into why iPhones are pickier than Android phones.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vgate |
| Model | iCar Pro Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE) |
| Wireless link | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| iOS connection | No manual pairing; connect in the OBD2 app |
| Android connection | Pair with "Android-Vlink", PIN 1234 |
| Operating systems | iOS, Android, Windows |
| Sleep current | As low as 3mA |
| Sleep and wake | Auto-sleep and auto-wake; auto-wake may not work on EVs or hybrids |
| Vehicles | 12V gasoline 1996+ with standard OBD2; light diesel 6.5 t or less from 1996 |
| Not supported | 24V diesel vehicles |
| Status lights | Red, green and blue LEDs |
| Firmware updates | VgateFwUpdater app or Windows PC |
| Power | From the vehicle's OBD2 port |
| Weight | 60 g |
| Size | 1.85 × 0.94 × 1.06 in |
When an adapter will not connect, the first question at the counter is always the same: is it getting power, and is it talking? The iCar Pro answers that with three coloured lights. Learn the sequence once and you can tell a dead port from an app problem in seconds.
| Moment | What the lights do | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Just plugged in | Red stays on, green for 1 second, blue for 3 seconds, then off | Power is good and the adapter has started |
| Waiting for a phone | Blue flashes | Bluetooth is looking for a connection |
| Paired | Blue stops flashing | Phone link made |
| App reading data | Red on, blue and green flash together | Talking to the car's computer |
Use that to narrow the fault down quickly:
A loose fit is another common culprit. Push the adapter fully home, because some ports are tight and a half-seated adapter can power up but lose contact with data pins. The ELM327 connection fixes cover more of these first-day problems.
The lights also help after the first week. A quick glance under the dash tells you whether the adapter has gone to sleep or is still awake, which is handy on a car that will sit for a while.
Leaving an adapter in the port is convenient, but only if it does not drain the battery. The iCar Pro Bluetooth 4.0 has auto-sleep and auto-wake, and Vgate rates its sleep draw as low as 3mA. That is small next to the normal background draw of a modern car's own modules.
Auto-wake is the convenience part. On a normal gasoline car the adapter notices activity on the port and wakes itself, so you can open the app and connect without touching it.
There is one catch. Vgate notes auto-wake may not work on electric or hybrid vehicles, and you may need to pull the adapter out and plug it back in to reactivate it. If you drive a hybrid and want to leave an adapter in permanently, the newer iCar Pro 2S adds remote wake-up for EVs and hybrids.
Firmware updates keep it current. Vgate supports updates from a phone with its VgateFwUpdater app or from a Windows PC. If an app gains a feature that needs newer adapter firmware, that route matters. Run updates with the car parked, the ignition on and the phone close to the adapter.
The iCar Pro reads generic OBD2 data such as codes, readiness and live sensors; Vgate makes no MS-CAN claim for it, so Ford owners after FORScan body modules should read the FORScan adapter explainer first.
Vgate sells the iCar Pro Bluetooth 4.0 alongside its newer iCar Pro 2S, and the two are easy to mix up. Both connect to iPhones in the app and both sleep at around 3mA. The differences are in the Bluetooth generation and how each handles electric and hybrid cars.
| iCar Pro BLE 4.0 | iCar Pro 2S | |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 5.2 |
| Sleep current | As low as 3mA | As low as 3mA |
| Wake-up on EVs and hybrids | May need reinserting | Remote wake-up supported |
| EV filter support | Not stated | Up to 208 filter groups |
| 24V vehicles | No | No |
The iCar Pro BLE 4.0 comes in three versions. Two are the same Bluetooth 4.0 adapter, one described for iOS and Android and one that also names Windows. The third is the iCar Pro Mini, a separate version with its own description, so check its details if you choose it.
Budget BLE adapters are close cousins, so let your car's powertrain and the app you plan to use make the call. A gasoline commuter that gets driven daily suits the BLE 4.0 perfectly well; a plug-in hybrid that sits on a charger is where the 2S earns its place. The ELM327 vs OBDLink vs Vgate comparison sets Vgate's range against the other big names.
Yes. On iOS there is no manual pairing; you connect from inside the OBD2 app.
Pair with the device named Android-Vlink and enter PIN 1234, then select it in your app.
It has auto-sleep with a draw as low as 3mA. On EVs and hybrids auto-wake may not work, so you may need to reinsert it.
No. It is designed for 12V gasoline vehicles and light diesel vehicles of 6.5 tons or less.
Yes, through Vgate's VgateFwUpdater phone app or a Windows PC.
