BimmerLink vs xProtect
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BimmerLink
This app provides direct access to your BMW or MINI vehicle's systems. Read and clear trouble codes from all control units, monitor real-time sensor values, and control features like exhaust flaps and active sound design. It also supports battery registration, DPF regeneration, and service resets.
- Read and clear trouble codes from all control units
- Display real-time sensor values
- Remote control of exhaust flap
- Mute Active Sound Design
- DPF regeneration
- Battery registration
- Service reset
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BimmerLink is the direct link to your BMW, MINI, or Toyota Supra. Read and clear trouble codes, monitor live sensor data, and perform maintenance functions from your phone. A supported OBD adapter or cable is required. Feature availability depends on your vehicle and its equipment. READ AND CLEAR TROUBLE CODES Read and clear diagnostic trouble codes from all control units in your car. LIVE SENSOR DATA Monitor values such as oil temperature and boost pressure in real time. Create a personalized dashboard to keep the readings that matter to you in view. DATA LOGGING Record sensor values in CSV log files for detailed analysis. CONTROL UNIT FUNCTIONS Access live data and diagnostic functions for individual control units in your car. EXHAUST FLAP CONTROL Choose whether your car's exhaust flap is open or closed. Requires a factory-installed exhaust flap. ACTIVE SOUND DESIGN Mute the artificial engine sound generated by Active Sound Design (ASD). Requires factory-installed ASD. SOUND TUNING Disable exhaust burble on cars equipped with the S55 engine (M2 Competition, M3, and M4). DPF REGENERATION Check the condition of your diesel particulate filter and request a regeneration when needed. Available on supported diesel vehicles equipped with a DPF. CARPLAY ADD-ON Use CarPlay to view live sensor data from your car's engine control units and control the exhaust flap and Active Sound Design, all from your car's display. Additional in-app purchase required. BATTERY REGISTRATION Register a new battery after replacement directly from the app. PARKING BRAKE SERVICE MODE Activate service mode for your car's electromechanical parking brake. SERVICE RESET Reset service indicators after completing maintenance, such as an engine oil change or brake pad replacement. RESET SHORT-CIRCUIT LOCKS Reset short-circuit locks in the lighting control unit. TRANSMISSION ADAPTATION VALUES View adaptation values for your car's ZF 8HP automatic transmission. REQUIRED ACCESSORIES BimmerLink requires a supported Bluetooth or Wi-Fi OBD adapter or cable. Visit bimmerlink.app for supported accessories and vehicle information. SUPPORTED VEHICLES Feature availability varies by model and equipment. - 1 Series, 1 Series M Coupé (2004+) - 2 Series, 2 Series Coupé, M2 (2013+) - 2 Series Gran Coupé (2020+) - 2 Series Active Tourer (2014+) - 2 Series Gran Tourer (2015+) - 3 Series, M3 (2005+) - 4 Series, M4 (2013+) - 5 Series, M5 (2003+) - 6 Series, M6 (2003+) - 7 Series (2008+) - 8 Series, M8 (2018+) - X1 (2009+) - X2 (2018+) - X3, X3 M (2010+) - X4, X4 M (2014+) - X5, X5 M (2006+) - X6, X6 M (2008+) - X7 (2019+) - XM (2022+) - Z4 (2009+) - i3 (2013+) - i4 (2021+) - i5 (2023+) - i7 (2022+) - i8 (2013+) - iX (2021+) - iX1 (2022+) - iX2 (2024+) - iX3 (2021+) - MINI (2006+) - Toyota Supra (2019+)
xProtect
This app transforms your car's existing controls into a robust security system. Create a unique code that must be entered before driving, rendering the vehicle immobile if unauthorized access is attempted. It requires a specific Wi-Fi adapter for installation.
- Customizable security code
- Immobilizes vehicle without code
- Uses existing car controls
- Requires Wi-Fi adapter
- No permanent modifications
- Full app control
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Protect Your BMW with a Code only you know! xProtect turns your car’s existing controls into a powerful security feature. This app lets you create a unique code that must be entered inside your vehicle before driving. Without the correct code, the car remains stationary — even if someone has copied your key or hijacked the remote signal. All you need is our xA Ultra Wi-Fi adapter (or compatible) for installing xProtect to your car. No permanent modifications are required. How It Works • Connect the App to your car via our xA Ultra Wi-Fi adapter. • Create a custom code inside the xProtect app, using your vehicle’s existing controls. • Enter the code before driving. • Wrong code or no code? The car won’t move. No additional hardware installations are required. No rewiring. Just smart protection. Why You’ll Love It • Advanced theft protection even against the latest tamper technology • Only requires our xA Ultra Wi-Fi adapter — no vehicle installation • Uses existing vehicle controls • Customizable code — change it anytime • Discreet and effective — invisible and impossible to remove for the bad guys • Full control through the app Smart Security, made simple Modern car theft requires modern anti theft solutions. Add an extra level of protection that only you control — directly from your phone. No code. No drive. Note xProtect is an additional access feature and does not replace or modify factory-installed vehicle security or safety systems. Supported functions may vary depending on vehicle model and configuration.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: xProtect at 100% against BimmerLink's 54%. xProtect also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). BimmerLink's advantage is ratings volume (9.1K vs 6) and chart position (#100 vs unranked). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. BimmerLink sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. xProtect asks for nothing beyond the download.
xProtect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BimmerLink has 9.1K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of BimmerLink's written reviews are positive against 100% of xProtect's.
BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, xProtect weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BimmerLink | xProtect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (9.1K ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9.1K — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #100 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 131 MB | 267 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SG Software GmbH & Co. KG | xAutomotive GmbH |
Customer experience
BimmerLink
xProtect
Bugs and requests
BimmerLink
Reported bugs
4 issues- Unable to connect to OBD adapter
- Fails to clear error codes
- Battery registration not working
- Sensor values not updating properly
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for more BMW models
- Improve exhaust flap control functionality
- Add option to change units (Celsius/Fahrenheit, MPH/KPH)
- Improve CarPlay integration
- Add more customization options for dashboard
xProtect
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BimmerLink
- CarPlay Add-On$9.99
- BimmerLink full version$39.99
xProtect
No in-app purchases









