Hardware guide · Drive companion
Adapters for the drive companion
The drive companion keeps an eye on your car while you drive. It uses a small Bluetooth adapter that stays plugged into the port under your dashboard. These are the adapters we know work with it.
Last reviewed November 13, 2026 · Prices are approximate · Android app
The short answer
Get an adapter that says BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and goes to sleep when the car is off. For most people we suggest the Vgate vLinker MC+: it reads the most of your car over BLE. If you'd rather have the steadiest connection and the lowest battery use, get the OBDLink CX.
Already have a Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+? It works with the companion too. That's the adapter we test on most.
What makes an adapter good for the companion
It connects on its own. The companion has to notice your car starting without you opening the app. With BLE adapters this works directly. Classic Bluetooth adapters also need your phone connected to your car's own Bluetooth, which Athrun uses as the “car is on” signal.
It reaches more of your car. Every adapter reads the engine. Better ones can also reach the extra networks some carmakers use for other systems. Ford and Mazda put some modules on a “medium-speed CAN” network, GM uses “single-wire CAN,” and older GM and Ford cars use J1850. If your car uses one of these, pick an adapter that supports it.
It sleeps when you park. The adapter stays plugged in, so a good sleep mode protects your battery.
Our picks
Best overall for the companion
In testingVgate vLinker MC+
About $50
- Bluetooth
- BLE and Classic
- Reaches
- All standard OBD2 protocols, plus Ford/Mazda medium-speed CAN and GM single-wire CAN
- Parked
- Sleeps on its own
Reads the most of any BLE adapter on this list, so it's the one to get if you drive a Ford, GM or Mazda.
Buying tip: look for “vLinker MC+” with the plus. Other vLinker models are different adapters.
Most dependable
In testingOBDLink CX
About $80 · manufacturer page
- Bluetooth
- BLE only (Bluetooth 5.1)
- Reaches
- CAN cars (most cars from 2008 on) and older ISO/KWP cars. Not older GM/Ford J1850 cars, and not the extra Ford or GM networks
- Parked
- Very low draw when asleep, with surge protection
The best-built adapter here, with the lowest battery use while parked. A great fit for most cars from 2008 on.
Buying tip: it's advertised for BMW owners, but it works on other makes. The first time you connect, accept the pairing request on your phone.
Ford, Lincoln & Mazda
In testingVgate vLinker FD+
About $45–55
- Bluetooth
- BLE and Classic
- Reaches
- All standard OBD2 protocols, plus Ford/Mazda medium-speed CAN
- Parked
- Sleeps on its own
A good choice for Ford-family cars if the MC+ is out of stock.
Budget option
TestedVeepeak OBDCheck BLE+
About $30
- Bluetooth
- BLE and Classic
- Reaches
- All standard OBD2 protocols (engine data). Not the extra Ford or GM networks
- Parked
- Low draw
Inexpensive, and the adapter we've run the most companion trips on. It reads the engine well but not the extra networks.
Buying tip: get the BLE+ (with the plus), not the plain “OBDCheck BLE.”
Classic Bluetooth adapters
These connect a different way, so the companion uses your car's own Bluetooth to know you've started driving. Your phone needs to be paired with your car's stereo, and you'll need a car with Bluetooth.
Widest reach
In testingOBDLink MX+
About $100
Reads more networks than any other adapter here: all OBD2 protocols plus Ford medium-speed CAN and GM single-wire CAN. It works with the Android app for scans and live data today. Companion support is in testing.
Alternative
In testingVgate vLinker MS
About $60
Similar reach to the MX+ for less money. Same setup: your phone should also be connected to your car's Bluetooth.
At a glance
| Adapter | Bluetooth | Ford / Mazda MS-CAN | GM SW-CAN | Older GM / Ford (J1850) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vLinker MC+ | BLE + Classic | Yes | Yes | Yes | In testing |
| OBDLink CX | BLE | No | No | No | In testing |
| vLinker FD+ | BLE + Classic | Yes | No | Yes | In testing |
| Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ | BLE + Classic | No | No | Yes | Tested |
| OBDLink MX+ | Classic | Yes | Yes | Yes | In testing |
| vLinker MS | Classic | Yes | Yes | Yes | In testing |
“Tested” means we've run drive companion trips on it. “In testing” means the adapter works with Athrun and we're confirming companion trips on it.
What to avoid
- Wi-Fi adapters. Your phone has to join the adapter's Wi-Fi, which cuts off its internet while you drive, so the companion can't upload trips or send alerts.
- Scanners locked to their own app (like BlueDriver or FIXD). They can't connect to Athrun.
- Unbranded “ELM327 v1.5” or “v2.1” adapters. They drop connections and often keep drawing power when the car is off, which is a problem for an adapter that stays plugged in.
- OBDLink LX. It works for scans on Android, but one of the picks above is a better buy for the companion.
Setting it up for the companion
- Plug the adapter into the OBD2 port (usually under the dashboard on the driver's side) and turn the ignition on.
- In the Athrun app, connect to it once from My Car. Don't pair it in your phone's Bluetooth settings first, unless the adapter's instructions say to.
- Open Drive companion and register the adapter. Accept the system prompt so Athrun can find it in the background.
- Using a Classic Bluetooth adapter (OBDLink MX+, vLinker MS)? Make sure your phone is also paired with your car's Bluetooth.
- Leave the adapter plugged in. The companion connects when you start driving.
Common questions
Can the adapter stay plugged in?
Yes. The companion is built around an adapter that stays in the car, and the picks above sleep when the car is off. If the car will sit unused for several weeks, or the battery is already weak, unplug it to be safe.
I already own a different adapter. Will it work?
If it's a branded BLE adapter, it will probably work for scans. For the companion, we can only vouch for the adapters on this page. Try it, and if it won't connect in the background, one of the picks above will.
Does the companion work on iPhone?
Not yet. The drive companion is part of the Android app.
My car is older than 2008. Which adapter should I get?
Older GM and Ford cars often use J1850, which the OBDLink CX doesn't support. Choose the vLinker MC+ or the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ instead.
Athrun doesn't earn money from these recommendations. We picked them for reliability, battery use and how much of the car they can read, and we'll update this page as we test more adapters.