# GWSMARTBT — user reviews > 39 indexed App Store user reviews of GWSMARTBT by Apex Tool Group, rated 3.30/5 from 58 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gwsmartbt/id6484589124/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gwsmartbt/id6484589124.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 29 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 20 ## Newest reviews (10 of 39) ### 4/5 — Great app, needs better documentation *2026-06-13* I love this tool and app. I think the speed is very fast on acquiring data and it works amazingly well. My only issue is whenever you do actuator tests or bidirectional tests, it doesn’t really tell you what conditions are not met to run the tests or why they don’t work correctly. Other than that I highly recommend it! It’s amazing and I think will only get better with time! UPDATE: Thank you developer for looking into it. I really have been spreading the word with this tool and have been using it every day almost. My cousin owns a shop and he said he’s impressed it can 95% of the things his $1000 scan tool can do. I know you can only do so much and keep the price point low still but you are above and beyond all the other scan tools at this price point and I’ve used like four or five of them before I settled on this one. **Developer response:** Thank you for the outstanding review and for putting the GWSMARTBT to work in your shop. It's great to hear that you're seeing the fast performance and quick data acquisition that professional technicians need to diagnose vehicles efficiently. Our goal has always been to deliver professional-grade diagnostic capability without forcing technicians to spend a fortune on hardware or software. We also appreciate the feedback on actuator and bi-directional testing. That's valuable input from a real-world user. Providing clearer guidance on why a test cannot be performed and which vehicle conditions are preventing execution is an area where we can continue to improve the user experience. We've shared your comments with our product team as we continue to enhance the platform. At GEARWRENCH, we're committed to building diagnostic tools for working automotive professionals and continuously improving them based on feedback from technicians like you. Thank you again for your support, your recommendation, and for trusting GEARWRENCH Diagnostics in your bay. We're just getting started. ### 2/5 — Major issues with device *2026-04-30, version 7.1.28* The device all the sudden started freezing the cars showing all sorts of dash lights when plugged in after 3 use ### 2/5 — Was great *2026-02-02* Everything used to work for now all of a sudden it doesn’t work keep saying vci and sn issue try unplugging and plug-in back in and redownload I tried it all i feel scammed now. **Developer response:** We're sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue and understand your frustration, especially if the tool was previously working correctly. A VCI or serial number error is not the experience we want our customers to have. If you've already tried reconnecting the VCI, reinstalling the app, and other troubleshooting steps, we'd like the opportunity to investigate the issue further and get you back up and running. Most importantly, the GWSMARTBT is backed by a 2-Year Warranty. If the VCI hardware is found to be defective, we'll work with you to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Please contact GEARWRENCH Diagnostics Support with your tool serial number and a brief description of the issue. Our team can help diagnose the problem and determine the best path forward. At GEARWRENCH, we're committed to providing professional-grade diagnostic tools and standing behind them with responsive customer support. We appreciate your feedback and hope you'll give us the opportunity to make this right. ### 4/5 — Needs mores special functions *2025-11-16* It needs crank/cam position sensor relearn feature ### 4/5 — Good budget scanner *2025-10-23, version 7.1.21* Yes the app is a little slow but its not designed for everyday use. Very versatile unit for the money. ### 1/5 — Horrendously slow *2025-10-17, version 7.1.21* Can’t believe how slow this is I don’t think this worth what it cost with this performance ### 1/5 — Can’t get past the activation screen *2025-09-18* I bought this scanner brand new from Home Depot and i downloaded the app to set it up, it has me put in all the information to “activate” it and every time i hit activate it says internet connection required. Ive tried several times on WiFi, different Wifi connections, and mobile data as well and nothing works. I delete the app and redownload it and try the same thing, still cant get past this screen, i feel like ive wasted $150 just to be told i have no internet connection when i know i do. ### 1/5 — Has bugs *2025-08-16, version 7.1.20* Thought I would give this a try but save your money as it doesn’t work most of the time & is slow at loading information ### 2/5 — Awful software *2025-07-24* Hardware is okay, software is awful. If you just need to pull standard OBD2 codes you’re better off with a cheap wired scanner. This has more capabilities, but it takes a solid 5-10 minutes just for it to get connected and scan to get the codes, more if there is a new software update that it forces you to download prior to scanning. Not to mention it seemingly requires you to input a VIN number to proceed with scanning which is very frustrating when you just want to pull basic codes. ### 2/5 — super slowwwwww *2025-07-19, version 7.1.20* this thing is super duper sloooowwwwwwwww ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not as advertised *2026-08-25* Several major features that are advertised are no where to be found in the app. Abs bleed function function did not work on either 2016 Ram 1500 or a 2008 VW Beetle, which was my main reason for buying the scanner. ### 1/5 — Garbage *2026-08-12* Garbage app. First it told me to download updated software (even though I *just* downloaded the app). Tried downloading the software update, that failed. Then it tells me to “check if the s/n matches, redownload the app, or contact their service team. I’m sorry, if your product doesn’t work properly right out of the package, I’m returning it. What a waste of time. ### 1/5 — Airbag rest *2026-07-28, version 7.1.31* I got this to rest my airbag light but unfortunately it doesn’t support that option for Nissan how crazy is that ### 1/5 — Scanning not Working *2026-06-15, version 7.1.29* Everything is connected as it should be. Special Functions work. Live data works. SCANNING DOES NOT WORK. ### 1/5 — Don’t do it! *2026-05-25, version 7.1.28* Horrible app. Won’t connect to Bluetooth. But yet you have to connect to update. No serial number to enter when it asks. Waste of money. ### 1/5 — Don’t waste your money *2026-04-30, version 7.1.28* App sucks. Cool thing when it does work, about ONE FIFTH OF THE TIME. Worst money I’ve ever spent on a diagnostic tool. Trust the other reviews. I should have. ### 1/5 — Won’t on new trucks as advertised *2026-04-01, version 7.1.26* 25 ram won’t scan useless waste of money ### 1/5 — Filling up storage due to bug *2026-03-20, version 7.1.26* This app keeps creating a piece.xda file and it’s replicating over and over and it almost crashed my phone. I had to delete it. I don’t know what’s going on with the app, but please fix it. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2026-03-11, version 7.1.25* It's incredible how it fails to autodetect vehicles stating improper network connection. Can't even auto read VIN number. Both on iOS and Android. Also who thought landscape mode was the right call for this at all times? Inputing data into the fields is horrible this way. Product is great on paper but in practice but if you own a Volvo stay away from this thing. ### 1/5 — Poor Customer Service *2026-01-09, version 7.1.23* I purchased the 2 Pack Everyday Diagnostic Tool and down loaded the App. I couldn’t activate either unit as the App would not accept the S/N’s they provided. I read on the internet that I might need to get them activated with the help of customer service. I tried with the websites chat hoping to talk to a human. But no human spoke with me as I waited for an hour. Then the chat shut down for the day as it was after 5pm. Pathetic customer service. I just purchased over $300.00 of actual Mechanics tools for my Son to use in his shop. I am going to return those tools for a better brand so your customer service doesn’t cause my son’s business problems. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Owner *2026-07-20, version 7.1.30* This very good scanner I’m like that ### 5/5 — best of the best *2026-06-21, version 7.1.30* awesome ### 5/5 — Love this *2026-06-19, version 7.1.30* One of the best code readers I’ve ever had. The only thing I wish was that there was a way to print/send codes. ### 5/5 — Great solution on the go. *2026-05-17* I have quite a few scan tools from various manufacturers. Mostly stand alone units. I wanted something I could throw in my glove box. I bought three different Bluetooth scanners since I have three vehicles, I figured I could test a few different units and have a simple solution in each vehicle. This GearWrench scan tool if my favorite. It has a vast amount of actions and resets. The software looks very similar to a Xtool stand alone scanner I have. I use HPTuners to create custom tunes. It’s nice to have an easy Bluetooth scanners so I can reset/relearn fuel trims or gearbox relearns. The Xtool does this quickly and easily. ### 5/5 — Great scan tool *2026-01-29, version 7.1.23* Used this scanner. Fantastic feedback from technicians. Easy. Fast and very helpful ### 5/5 — 2012 tundra *2026-01-15* 100+ Updates took 5 minutes to download on home WiFi. Detected both vehicles without issue. Less than a minute to complete scan on Tundra and Rogue. Informative info with charts etc, graphs can be combined. Entering live scan takes a minute or two but is quick once launched. Note: once all updates have downloaded the app is 14GB. Bought at Homedepot. ### 5/5 — Easy and Powerful *2026-01-14* The smartBT is a game changer for me. Very easy to use interface with all the functions I need day to day ### 5/5 — Outstanding App *2025-11-02* I have a 2022 Ford F150. My truck had three codes - anti lock brakes, trailer module and high coolant temp. The truck would not go over 15 mph and the dealer couldn’t get me in on a Saturday, so I looked up ‘how to reset F150 codes’, and this OBD II came up. With the software updates, it took about 15 minutes to complete the setup and CLEARED all the codes! Excellent device and application, as it’s extremely easy for anyone to use and understand! ### 5/5 — Great tool *2025-10-15* Love the bidirectional capabilities. Not much I can’t do with this tool. Recommend ### 5/5 — Excellent way to get data from your vehicle *2025-07-29* I’ve been using this app for several months now and I’m really amazed at all the data that you can actually get from it. It has access to more data than any other scan tool that I’ve used outside of Techstream. Occasionally, it doesn’t connect but always does with a retry. Great product! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*