Worked fine until I upgraded phones
Response from developer
While the need to "Restore Previous Purchases" is common for all apps that offer "In-App Purchases", if you haven't encountered this before, I can understand the frustration. As a result, the MyVoltControl version 2.9.0 released in December 2024 included a message telling "new user's" that they might need to "Restore Previous Purchases" if they are migrating to a new phone.
Update review: wifi connection instructions
Can’t do in app purchases with wifi obd
Response from developer
I really don't understand why anyone would give a bad rating to an app when they have made no attempt to contact App Support to get assistance for the problem they encountered. Really, I just don't understand. Please delete this review. When you first launch the app it shows you a screen alert 3 times telling you to "read the Connection Help information" in the Menu. In that information it gives you a sequence of steps that you must do to use a WiFi OBD adapter. (Yes, they are more complicated than other adapters which is why we don't recommend them.) In bold type at the top of Step 7 it says "These next steps are very important!!" Had you followed those steps, your phone would be using your cellular data connection for the In-App purchases while you are still connected to the OBD adapter as required. In the App Menu, there is a "Support" option you can click. This takes you to our web page where you can read the FAQs (#7 addresses this already) and you can also use the Contact item on our web page to send a message for support. We always respond very quickly and would be happy to help you with this problem if following the instructions doesn't resolve it for you.
Useless app.
Cumbersome
I got a reply from the developer, which just sounded like a lot of double talk. The bottom line is that I have only found one app that doesn’t work with my adapter. This app. All the other apps have - or only require - simple network setup and they work fine. This app is different than all the rest - it appears it’s capable of doing things the others don’t, but it wasn’t easy to use and didn’t work. I’m not a programmer but it appears to me that the very basic function of reading the VIN, that all the other apps are capable of performing, can’t be done by this app.
One star app.
Response from developer
It is unfortunate that you have an OBD adapter that doesn’t meet the ELM 327 spec as we require. That is no reason to give this app a 1-star review because it has nothing to do with this app. We do mention that the MX+ is the best adapter, but we certainly don’t imply that you must have that adapter to be successful with this app. Hundreds of other people have much less expensive adapters that work very well. For others who may be interested, you can view our actual recommendations here: https://CraftinDeApps.com/faq/#MVC You’re not actually unhappy with our WiFi configuration, which is a simple page with only two fields which are almost always left at their default values. What you’re unhappy with is that we did you the favor of giving you instructions on how to connect the WiFi OBD adapter to your phone so that you have data access at the same time that you are connected to the adapter. Most people would want that, but apparently it’s not important to you so you didn’t notice that you didn’t have a data connection when you were using other apps without following these instructions. The thing is, in order to make in-app purchases in MyVoltControl, you have to have a data connection. The other apps you use apparently don’t require in-app purchases. We do suggest that you not buy a WiFi adapter because of this complexity. The ELM 327 spec provides several options for specifying how data is transmitted between the adapter and an application. The other apps you use chose to set those options in some way that worked, while MyVoltControl chose to set them in a way that your adapter manufacturer chose not to implement (so it doesn’t meet the spec). When you buy a very cheap adapter, you often get very cheap results.
A must have for Chevy Volt owners
Cumbersome
Response from developer
It is unfortunate that you have an OBD adapter that doesn’t meet the ELM 327 spec as we require. That is no reason to give this app a 1-star review because it has nothing to do with this app. We do mention that the MX+ is the best adapter, but we certainly don’t imply that you must have that adapter to be successful with this app. Hundreds of other people have much less expensive adapters that work very well. For others who may be interested, you can view our actual recommendations here: https://CraftinDeApps.com/faq/#MVC You’re not actually unhappy with our WiFi configuration, which is a simple page with only two fields which are almost always left at their default values. What you’re unhappy with is that we did you the favor of giving you instructions on how to connect the WiFi OBD adapter to your phone so that you have data access at the same time that you are connected to the adapter. Most people would want that, but apparently it’s not important to you so you didn’t notice that you didn’t have a data connection when you were using other apps without following these instructions. The thing is, in order to make in-app purchases in MyVoltControl, you have to have a data connection. The other apps you use apparently don’t require in-app purchases. We do suggest that you not buy a WiFi adapter because of this complexity. The ELM 327 spec provides several options for specifying how data is transmitted between the adapter and an application. The other apps you use chose to set those options in some way that worked, while MyVoltControl chose to set them in a way that your adapter manufacturer chose not to implement (so it doesn’t meet the spec). When you buy a very cheap adapter, you often get very cheap results.
Essential for Volt owners
Perfect app for a tired Volt
I use the app with a wifi elm327 and an old iPhone 6 that stays in the car and so far have had no issues with the hold mode.
It would be nice if there was a way it could auto connect and start hold mode every time I start the car as long as the app stays open. Maybe that works with BLE or the OBDLink adapter? I’ll consider getting one of those to try out in the future.
Thanks again, I’m thrilled to have auto hold mode!
Response from developer
Thank you for your review! We're glad you're enjoying the App. We think you're going to like the expanded Auto-Hold support we just released in version 2.3.0 even more. Please feel free to contact us thru the "Support" item in the App Menu for any questions. Yes, WiFi adapters require much more manual setup than other types. Check out the "Launch In Hold" App Menu item, or the just-released "quick links" App icon menu available in this new release.
Great!
Response from developer
Thank you very much for your review! We are happy that you've found MyVoltControl to be so useful. We think you'll enjoy the "Auto-Hold" feature (just released in version 2.1.0) also. Check it out!
New version
Response from developer
Our apologies. The need to "Restore Previous Purchases" was unintentional and an error on our part. This would only have happened after the update to 2.0.0 however, so perhaps your phone did the update automatically.
Does not work
Response from developer
We are saddened to hear that you had a bad experience with MyVoltControl, but even more sad to know that you made no attempt to contact us for assistance with this problem. We are very responsive to our customers and might have been able to resolve this problem for you. We are still willing to do that if you will contact us at Support@CraftinDeApps.com. There is lengthy documentation of all the functions in this app in the "App Functions" section under the Menu. Nothing in this app is "hidden". The App information in the App Store says (and has always said): "The App itself is free. Use of the functions described below requires an in-app purchase to enable each one that you want to use." The alternative approach is to charge $6 for the app and you then may have paid for a lot of functions that might not even be enabled for your setup. We are happy to refund the 99¢ you paid for a function you believe did not work.
