BimmerLink vs Carbridge app
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+)
Carbridge app
This app provides a focused in-app browser for multitasking. Enjoy videos and audio with Picture-in-Picture and background playback, even when the app is closed or the screen is locked.
- In-app browser
- Picture-in-Picture video
- Background audio playback
- Web search functionality
- Dark, focused UI
- No account required
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Carbridge is a dark, focused in-app browser for watching and listening while you multitask. Connect to your favorite video homepage, play content, float it with Picture-in-Picture, and keep audio playing when you leave the app or lock your device. WHY CARBRIDGE • Built-in browser with search, Back, Forward, Reload, Home, and PiP • Picture-in-Picture so video stays with you while you message or browse • Background audio for podcasts, music, and long-form listening • Address bar: enter a website or search the web instantly • Quiet dark UI designed for focus • No account required — open and play HOW TO USE 1) Open Carbridge and follow the short onboarding (Connect → PiP → Audio → Search) 2) Unlock Carbridge Pro (or Restore Purchases) to enter Home 3) Browse your start page in the built-in browser 4) Play a video, then tap PiP to float the player (exit fullscreen first if needed) 5) Switch apps or lock the screen — audio can continue in the background 6) Use Home anytime to return to your start page; use search for the web FEATURES In-app browser • Picture-in-Picture • Background audio • Web search from the address bar • Navigation controls (Back / Forward / Reload / Home / PiP) • Offline-network alerts when disconnected • Dark focused UI • Simple Pro unlock • Restore Purchases • Privacy & Terms links in-app PICTURE-IN-PICTURE & BACKGROUND AUDIO Carbridge uses system media playback with Picture-in-Picture support and an audio background mode. Playback continuity depends on iOS version, device settings, and the media page you are viewing. IMPORTANT • Internet connection required • Carbridge does not download, rip, or permanently save streaming videos to your photo library • Carbridge is an independent browser experience and is not affiliated with any third-party video platform • Only app preferences and purchase entitlement flags are stored on device CARBRIDGE PRO (IN-APP PURCHASE) Carbridge Pro unlocks the full browser Home experience. Without an active subscription or Lifetime purchase, new users complete onboarding and see the upgrade screen. Pro includes: • Full in-app browser Home • Picture-in-Picture workflow • Background audio workflow • Search, navigation, and multitasking tools • Restore Purchases support OPEN THE UPGRADE SCREEN • First launch: Onboarding → Get Started → Carbridge Pro • From Home: tap the settings (gear) button • Restore: footer on the upgrade screen → Restore Plans: Weekly, Monthly, Yearly (auto-renewing), Lifetime (one-time). SUBSCRIPTIONS Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period in Apple ID settings. Renewal is charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Privacy: https://sites.google.com/view/carbridge-privacy Terms: https://sites.google.com/view/carbridge-terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: BimmerLink at 9.1K against Carbridge app's 15. BimmerLink also leads on chart position (#125 vs unranked). Carbridge app's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 and Carbridge app sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for BimmerLink against 4.7 for Carbridge app. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BimmerLink has 9.1K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two.
BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, Carbridge app every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 3, 2026.
| Parameter | BimmerLink | Carbridge app |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (9.1K ratings) | 4.7 (15 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 53.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9.1K — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #125 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 131 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | SG Software GmbH & Co. KG | MICAD SOFTWARE COMPANY LIMITED |
Customer experience
BimmerLink
Carbridge app
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
Carbridge app
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BimmerLink
- CarPlay Add-On$9.99
- BimmerLink full version$39.99
Carbridge app
- Weekly$4.997 Days
- Monthly$8.991 Month
- Yearly$12.991 Year
- Lifetime$14.99








