Download CarScope

Get full access for 24 hours — no credit card, no commitment.

14-day no-questions-asked refund — if your adapter won't connect, we'll refund you.

Version 1.0.0 · ~25 MB

Requirements

System requirements

Android 7 or later

Works on most Android phones and tablets from 2016 onwards.

Bluetooth ELM327 adapter

A Bluetooth ELM327 OBD2 adapter. No adapter yet? The CarScope Starter Kit includes one plus a year of Pro, shipped.

1996+ OBD2 vehicle

Your car must have an OBD2 port (usually under the steering wheel). Nearly all gas and diesel cars from 1996 onwards qualify.

~25 MB free storage

CarScope is lightweight. Trip history and PDF exports take minimal space.

Installation

How to install

1

Enable unknown app installation

  1. Open your phone's Settings
  2. Go to Apps & notifications (or Applications)
  3. Tap Advanced or scroll down
  4. Find Install unknown apps (or Install from unknown sources)
  5. Tap your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
  6. Toggle Allow from this source ON
2

Download the APK

  1. On your phone, tap the Download CarScope (.apk) button above
  2. Wait for the download to finish (you'll see a notification)
3

Open and install

  1. Find the downloaded file in your Downloads folder (or notification area)
  2. Tap the CarScope.apk file
  3. Tap Install
  4. Wait for installation to complete
  5. Tap Open or find CarScope in your app drawer
4

Get your Bluetooth adapter ready

  1. Locate your car's OBD2 port (usually under the steering wheel, on the left side)
  2. Plug in the ELM327 adapter
  3. Turn on the adapter (some turn on automatically when powered)
5

Pair and scan

  1. Open CarScope
  2. Tap Connect
  3. Select your ELM327 adapter from the Bluetooth list
  4. Tap Scan to read your car's live data and codes
Pricing

What's included?

Free trial

24 hours of full access to all features when you first open the app.

No credit card required. No ads.

Basic — $9.99/year

Live gauge dashboard, read & clear trouble codes, emissions readiness, no ads.

Pro — $25/year

Everything in Basic plus VIN lookup, NHTSA recalls, trip history, PDF/CSV reports, multi-vehicle garage, live graphing.

Lifetime — $49.99 one-time

All Pro features forever. One payment, no renewal, ever.

Cancel anytime. 14-day no-questions-asked refund.

Safety & privacy

Built to be trusted

Your data stays on your phone

All diagnostic data is stored locally. CarScope never uploads your OBD2 readings to our servers.

No ads, no tracking

We don't sell your data, track you, or show ads. We're funded by subscriptions.

Safe to use

CarScope only reads OBD2 data — it doesn't control your engine or emissions systems. Clearing a code is reversible.

For info only

CarScope interprets standard OBD2 codes for your understanding. Always consult a mechanic for safety-critical issues.

FAQ

Download & installation FAQ

Is sideloading safe?

Yes, when you download from our official domain. Sideloading simply means installing an app outside the Play Store. We use the same security and code signing practices as any published app. Never download APKs from unknown sources.

Will I get updates?

When you first launch CarScope, it will notify you about new versions. You can download and install updates the same way as the initial installation.

Can I uninstall later?

Yes. Go to Settings > Apps, find CarScope, and tap Uninstall. You can reinstall anytime.

My phone says "Install unknown apps" setting is on, but I still can't install. Help?

Make sure you enabled the permission for your specific browser app (not just "all apps"). Also, some phones have a separate Unknown sources toggle in developer settings — check there too.

Do I need a Google account?

No. CarScope works without a Google account. You only need an email to log in and subscribe.

Can I install on a tablet?

Yes, if it's Android 7+. Tablets work great for reading diagnostics while plugged in at the car.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Reading live data and trouble codes works completely offline. VIN lookup and recall checking require internet, but you can use CarScope anytime for diagnostics without being online.

Where is my data stored?

All scan data and trip history are stored on your phone's local storage. We never upload OBD2 readings. Only your email is stored on our servers (for billing), and that's encrypted.