Compatible OBD Devices

Created by Matt Wallace, Modified on Tue, 1 Jul at 1:09 PM by Matt Wallace

AutoMind is designed to work best with its own plug-and-play dongle — that’s the one we supply for free to UK users (just pay the postage). It’s pre-paired with the app, so there’s no setup or messing around required — even my mum can use it!

However, if you already have a third-party OBDII dongle — specifically a Bluetooth ELM 327 device — you may still be able to use it with AutoMind. These are widely available online and typically used with generic car apps. But here’s what you need to know before you try:

Third-Party Compatibility (With Caution)

AutoMind is built to support most genuine ELM 327 Bluetooth dongles, but we can’t guarantee full compatibility. Some cheaper or poor-quality dongles simply don’t work — with any app — due to how they’re manufactured. This is why we don’t offer support for third-party dongles. If you choose to use one, it’s at your own risk.

Important Limitations with Third-Party Devices

The "Guided by AutoMind" button will not work with third-party devices. This guided feature only connects with official AutoMind dongles (it’s part of how we keep it so easy).
Instead, you’ll need to use the "Vehicle Connection" tile on the Main Menu to manually connect and run diagnostics.
AutoMind does not support USB or Wi-Fi dongles — Bluetooth only!

Why AutoMind Can't Help with Third-Party Dongles

Because these are built by hundreds of different manufacturers, and vary massively in quality, we simply can't offer support for connectivity or diagnostic issues that happen when using them. If it doesn’t work — we won’t be able to fix it. Sorry!

Recommendation

If you're in the UK and haven’t yet claimed your AutoMind dongle, go through onboarding now. We’ll send you up to two per household (just pay postage) so you can always be ready in an emergency. Trust us — having the official one saves hassle later.

Please Note: AutoMind is a free service, so phone and direct email support isn’t available. Help is provided via this Knowledge Base and Ticketing System only. In the app, tap the help or ‘i’ icon to view the correct article. If you still need assistance, you can submit a support ticket — but if the answer is already covered here, we’ll refer you back to it. Personal replies are limited due to the free nature of this service.
 
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