BlueDriver OBD2 scanner now requires account login and collects data

The BlueDriver OBD2 scan tool's iOS and Android apps were updated to require a login, stranding users who are unwilling to share their private data or who could not connect to the internet when they needed the tool.

Background

BlueDriver is an OBD2 scan tool that connects via Bluetooth to an iOS and Android app, to read and clear a car's error codes (check engine light) and view diagnostic data. The device is made by Repairify (aka Root Four Imagination Inc, or Lemur Vehicle Monitors) who also make other automotive products.

The BlueDriver device was (and still is) advertised as being able to work without an internet connection, so that it works even if you have car trouble somewhere without cell signal. Also, the app worked without any kind of login, with your data stored securely and privately on your own device.

Incident

However, as of the release of version 8.0 of their iOS app in April 2025, it now blocks you from accessing the app's functions until and unless you register and log into an account which stores data on their servers. Any customers who were unwilling to register and share their data were suddenly left with a bricked device. Even some customers who were willing to register and log in were unable to do so because they did not have an internet connection. For some users, this left them stranded in remote locations without the ability to diagnose a problem with their car, since they were out of cell range.

Screenshot of BlueDriver app, showing the requirement to register and log in

Company's response

The company claims that the change "helps keep your data safe", despite the fact that the data was previously stored securely just on customers' devices, but is now being stored on a server controlled by the company with unknown security.

Timeline

• 2021: Released iOS app version 7.11, which added the ability to register and log in to an account to store data on their servers. But the app still worked without logging in – their support article called it an "option", and their version update note read:

Now sync your vehicle scans across your devices by signing up for an (optional) account

• April 25, 2025: iOS app version 8.0 released, adding the requirement to log in. The release notes make no mention of this change, so users were unwittingly lulled into installing the update. The note misleadingly just says the update includes "General Performance Enhancements".
• April 28, 2025: iOS app setup instructions changed to say that there is now a mandatory step to log in (original vs updated help page).

Privacy Policy

Now that they are forcing customers to send data to their servers, there are some pertinent sections of their privacy policy:

They can change the policy without notice, to share or sell whatever data they collect.

Root Four may change all or part of this Privacy Policy from time to time. An up-to-date version of our Privacy Policy will be posted on www.bluedriver.com and can be found under the “Settings” section of our apps. Your continued use of any of our apps, devices, software, websites or other services after the date of any such revision or replacement constitutes your consent to our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with the revised or replaced Privacy Policy.

They can collect vehicle info including VIN

Vehicle Information – When you use certain of our devices and apps (including our BlueDriver® device and app), we may collect and retain information from the vehicle's onboard computer such as its vehicle identification number (VIN), diagnostic trouble codes, and other vehicle system data including records of the vehicle’s behavior right before the problem started. All of this information helps us to determine what might be wrong with your vehicle – so that we can help get you on the road again faster. When vehicle information is linked to an identifiable User or a specific VIN, we consider this information as your personal information subject to the protections set forth in this Privacy Policy. When vehicle information is anonymized and aggregated so that it cannot be linked to an identifiable User or specific VIN, we treat this information as non-personal information (see below under “Anonymized and Aggregated Data”).

They can share that personal information with other companies. Unclear if creating and logging into account counts as giving "express consent" or opting in.

Business Partners and Solution Providers – With your express consent (and only with your express consent), we may provide your personal information to trusted business partners and solution providers that work with us to provide you with additional or enhanced products and services. Third Party Offers – We may present you with offers from trusted third parties to provide an offer or solution to you that may enhance your ownership or driving experience. If we present you with such offers or solutions, it will be on an “opt-in” basis only.

If they are acquired, all of that private data would be available to the company buying them.

Business Transitions – If we are involved in a reorganization, merger, or the actual or prospective sale of our business or company (or a unit or division) we may disclose personal information to the relevant third party as part of the transaction. In that event, we will ensure that your personal information remains protected in accordance with the principles set out in this Privacy Policy.

They can send "anonymized" data to third parties, e.g. insurance companies. However, in other cases it turned out to be possible to identify individuals from "anonymized" data, e.g. by analyzing location patterns.

We may anonymize and aggregate the data we collect across many users, including vehicle information, and may provide this anonymized, aggregated data to third parties. Such data will not identify you or be able to identify you personally and, specifically, this anonymized and aggregated information will never include your specific vehicle identification number (VIN).

They may be sending this data to third party services.

Our websites, products, applications, and services may contain links to third-party websites, products, and services. Our products and services may also use or offer products or services from third parties, such as vehicle repair reports. The information collected by third parties, including location data or contact details, is governed by their privacy policies. Root Four is not responsible for these third-party websites, products or services and encourages you to review the privacy policies of such third party web sites, products and services to understand their information practices.

Consumer response

Some quotes from the hundreds of customers who posted Apple App Store and Amazon reviews about the change:

I had been using this without issue and then when I really needed it in a location where I had no cell signal, I found out they now require you to create an online account and log in or you can't use the tool. It's NOT OPTIONAL - they BRICKED the product they sold me and that I had depended on for years. No warnings. Nothing like, you have 10 more uses before registration is required. It just came with one of the regular updates from the app store. Now that shows their real concern is NOT for their customers. So now I'm stranded with MIL light on in an isolated location with no possibility to know the risk of driving further. So I drove on and fortunately for me it turned out to not be something that damaged my vehicle.

I have two of these Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool, first one purchased in 12-2017 the second 10-2024. I loved them until early this morning. I had a check engine light on my 2007 Tahoe illuminate. When I started the BlueDriver app on my phone, I got an error message that said I needed to setup a login account before using it. I was way out of cell service range. I NEVER needed internet access before, that was a key feature for me. My only choice was to drive the 12 miles to where I could get cell service, risking possible catastrophic engine or power train failure. When I finally had cell service, I went through the process of creating a login and could not complete the final step as I did not receive the email with the verification code even after multiple attempts. I can no longer trust that this tool I paid for will work for me any more. I can afford to have a tool require internet access for it to work. My recommendation is DON'T BUY. I am now looking for a replacement scanner that won't leave me stranded again.

This thing is just like a cloud based 10mm wrench. If your not connected you can't use the wrench and when you are connected you need to register the wrench for every fastener. With the latest update it would be wiser to buy a generic elm device and torque pro. I initially bought this to diagnose an airbag code on 2 cars. Worked on one but not the other, no big deal it was stated on their project page. Fast forward you need to log in just to see a code. No Internet no code. Out in the desert no Internet no code. I don't really need the diagnostics to point to an advertiser in the middle of the desert, I just need a code. The update has crippled this into a paperweigt that can't even hold a sheet of paper down. Get a generic elm device to see if it works with torque free if so buy a pro license. basically if your old like me this device is useless without Internet. However it does remind me as to never rely on any company now a days for help.

It worked great for about a month. I kept it in my backpack and was able to help friends read codes on their vehicles. Just recently though, I pulled it out while on a hiking trip in a no cell service area to read codes for a CEL that popped up, and the app absolutely refused to do anything unless I signed up for an account to "sync my data" and "offer better service" with no way to opt out. Apparently the app updated to version 8 sometime after I last used it and this is a new "requirement". Anyway, being out of cell service, it was effectively bricked when I needed it. I don't need or want an account. I don't intend to sync my friends vehicle codes across all my devices. I need to be able to use this when offline or off grid. The only reason they would FORCE a user to make an account is for their own gain. I don't need my stuff phoning into their systems anytime I need to use a tool I purchased. If I was not out of the return window already, I would try to get my money back. DO NOT recommend if you are privacy focused or prefer local control. This is ridiculous.

It's a good scanner with some great features, generally works as advertised with some quirks. Would have been a 4-star review, but they recently made a change that FORCES you to create an internet account with them to use the product. They made this change without an announcement, and I happened to be out in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal trying to diagnose my car when the message about this popped up. Fortunately, got home, but it could have gone the other way. WARNING: This product now requires and internet connection (in addition to a bluetooth connection to your phone) in order to work. Absolutely stupid. Would never buy this again.

While this item worked fine for a long time, they have now started requiring internet connections, locations (GPS), and logins to be able to use their software/product. This was never needed before and I have never agreed to this change. I do not want to be involved with a data harvesting/selling organization. Since the only app that can use their hardware is proprietary, there are no other options for alternate apps available. They have effectively stolen the product's usability from everyone. Since they are refusing refunds because of this change, I will be contacting my state's attorney general to see what we can do about either forcing them to roll back the changes or getting refunds. Even IF they weren't selling this information to insurance companies, and whoever else, its still a potential security nightmare.

It used to work up until they made that software update. It should be an illegal to block you out of a product you already bought if you don't sign in. I had this for years and worked wonderfully. Now they made you create an account which they're data mining. Software now works like if 2 monkeys created it with a 97 Mac. Terrible how a company can destroy they're reputation

Do not buy. The company broke my device. I've used this tool for years and just recently they removed the option to use the device without an account. I never agreed to this update and would not have purchased this product if the account or subscription were required. This means blue driver has stolen $120 from me. Do not buy.

I bought this product because it did not require a sign in account to use. After a recent update, the company NOW requires the users to sign up and register for an online account! If you refuse, the software no longer works. Fortunately, I was able to return this product. Someone needs to take legal action against this company for forcing previous customers to create an account. What a scam.

The company changed the terms of purchase and use without customers' consent. I tried scanning one of my cars today and now the interfacing software informed me I must make an account to use the device. When I bought it in 2020, I did NOT need an account - it just connected and worked. No readability. No accuracy. No capability. I cannot read the check engine light or get any data. Horrible company and no long term reliability. Buy a product from a company which respects its customers and doesn't change the terms of the sale after the sale.

Update 05/24/25. They updated to version 8 a few days back which now asks for you to open a "free" account with them. This is just another ploy for an overpriced gadget ($89 today) to be able to data mine and sell to brokers and insurance companies who are paying big bucks to garner this information. To ad insult to injury they want your email to send a confirmation code. The email never arrived for 3 days and when it did it came after 1 hour of requesting the code. Problem Is you have to use it within 10 mins of them sending it to you. I plugged in the number less than 30 secs after getting the code it said it had been more than 10 Mins! This item has not been able to be used because of a flawed deployment of version 8. If you go To the Apple Store and look at their ratings you will see that people are complaining about this issue already. They claim the will not use your data. Yeah right! Even if you used a fake name and disposable email your VIN numbers are saved. They can be easily tied to You since now a days cars record EVEYTHING you do in your car (speed, how many miles/hours you drive a day, location etc). They should have an opt out to This data mining. I really hope they get a lawyer to destroy them In a lawsuit.

So why all this work?!? Because Google, etc have offered to pay them to get ahold of my data. They want to track me everywhere, and know what's wrong with my car. I didn't buy this product to give my data to these people for free - If that had been a requirement up front, I would've bought someone else's product. If they want to make this situation clear when I buy the product, then I have the ability to give my money to someone else. But as it is, I have to either submit, or throw away a device costing north of $100. Blue Driver! If you're going to F me over, at least have the decency to impliment that robbery properly

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