MyVoltControl
Functions to enhance your Volt
Free · In-App Purchases
MyVoltControl is designed specifically for the Chevrolet Volt (and related models), and the Chevrolet Bolt. ("Related models" include the Cadillac ELR, Cadillac CT6, Opel Ampera, Holden Volt, Opel Ampera-e.)
MyVoltControl requires the use of an OBD adapter that complies with the ELM327 specification (most do). You can use either:
- an OBDLink MX+ OBD adapter (preferred)
- an OBDLink MX-WiFi OBD adapter
- a Bluetooth-Low-Energy (aka Bluetooth 4) OBD adapter. (Classic bluetooth adapters are not supported by iOS.)
- a generic WiFi OBD adapter will work in most cases (but is not recommended).
If you need to buy an adapter, or to see a list of some that aren't ELM327 compatible, refer to the information in our FAQ page at http://www.CraftinDeApps.com/FAQ#MVC
These adapters plug into the OBD-II port under the left side of your dash.
The App itself is free. Use of the functions described below requires one-time in-app purchases to enable each one that you want to use.
MyVoltControl consolidates four functions, long available for other phones, and makes them available for the iPhone and iPad. In addition, the last one is unique to this app. These are known as:
-->> MyVoltHold
-->> MyVoltLifetime
-->> MyVoltDiag
-->> MyVoltAfterblow
-->> MyVolt12v
-->> The Volt Hold function does four things.
- First, at the top, it has several "information pages" that you can switch between to see information about your car. These are shown in the photos above.
- Second, it allows you to turn on a "Hold" mode which approximates the Hold mode built into the car beginning with the 2013 model. This Hold mode turns on the internal combustion engine (ICE) as needed to try to maintain a State of Charge value that is close to the charge that was present when you turned the mode on. So why, you may ask, would I want that function on a newer car. Very simple really. Since Sport mode and Hold mode are mutually exclusive, this function allows you to use the car Mode button to engage Sport mode, while using the Hold function in this App to achieve Hold mode at the same time! Hold mode can also be automatically engaged based on several factors.
- Next, it allows you to ask the car to run the internal combustion engine. You can use this to get heat from the engine on a cold morning, or to manually simulate your own Hold mode if you prefer.
- Finally, you can also use this function to force the ICE off, which you might want to do if the ICE is running due to low temperature (done for driver comfort).
The Volt Hold function is not available (and would serve no purpose) on the Chevrolet Bolt models.
-->> The Volt Lifetime function allows you to reset the lifetime fuel economy value ("Lifetime MPG" or "Lifetime L/100km") value for your car. You will find this useful if you've purchased a car which has recorded the previous owner's fuel economy results. You can also use this to calculate the distance travelled in both EV mode and on the ICE by entering the Lifetime Economy number shown on your dash. The Volt Lifetime function is not available (and would serve no purpose) on the Chevrolet Bolt models.
-->> The Volt Diag function allows you to run some tests on your high-voltage (traction) battery.
-->> The Volt Afterblow function allows you to control a system that GM added to your car to dry out the A/C vents. This system is OFF by default and the Volt Afterblow function allows you to turn it on (or back off).
This app function is not available for 2013 model year cars.
- You can use the Volt Afterblow feature ONLY if you are using an OBD adapter which supports the SWCAN (aka GMLAN) bus. It must also support the "ST" command set (in addition to the common "AT" command set). Very few adapters offer this support. The known to be good and recommended adapters for this are the OBDLink MX+ or the OBDLink MX-Wifi adapters.
-->> The Volt 12v function displays graphs showing the values of voltage and current on your 12 volt battery.
more In Version 2.10.0:
- We changed the Volt Lifetime screen to better describe what is expected from the user here, and grouped the entry field with that description.
- We updated the App Functions document to fix the insufficient documentation of the Volt Lifetime function.
- We fixed a bug that prevented the MyVoltControl actions available in the Shortcuts app from launching the desired functions.
- There are other minor improvements in function and documentation.
2.10.0 23/10/2025
In Version 2.9.0:
- The "Engine Off" function now checks for battery voltages dipping to unacceptable levels and will lock-out the "Engine Off" function if necessary. A message will be displayed when this occurs. This lock-out will be released when the battery is charged enough so that the voltages stay above those levels.
- In the Volt Hold function, the control of when the "Engine Off" function was disengaged was redesigned to make its function more clear.
- We added a message to suggest that user's might need to use the "Restore In-App Purchases" button if they've migrated to a new iPhone.
- We clarified some things in the App Functions documentation.
- There are other minor improvements.
2.9.0 04/12/2024
In version 2.8.0:
- For the Cell Balance test in the Volt Diag section, you can now plot the voltages for all of the cells directly in MyVoltControl.
- We added a new "Weak Cells" test in the Volt Diag section to look for weak battery cells in 2016 and later cars.
- The European builds of the Opel Ampera-e cars are now supported.
- We fixed an error in the handling of battery information for the 2016 Cadillac ELR.
- The heading title on each of the sub-pages in the app were changed to try to avoid confusion with other apps.
- We fixed some bugs and made other minor improvements in many places.
2.8.0 19/09/2024
In version 2.7.0:
- We added support for the Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid vehicle.
- In the Volt Diag function, we now display the battery state-of-charge (SOC) for the Internal Resistance test.
- In the Volt Diag function, we now display the power draw from the battery which occurred when the Cell Balance test was running. If the test is being run at a low-SOC state, we issue instructions if the power is too low for that test to be valid. If the power draw was not consistent during any Cell Balance test, we issue instructions for that as well.
- In the Connection Help document, we added some information at the end of the MX+ section about making re-connections reliable.
- In the App Functions document, we added a graph at the end of the Volt Diag section showing how internal resistance varies with temperature and state-of-charge.
- We fixed some bugs and made other minor improvements in many places.
2.7.0 17/03/2024
This version (2.6.1) fixes the cause of a crash that could occur in limited circumstances.
In version 2.6.0:
- We added the ability to select which parameters are shown at the top of the first Volt Hold function page. You can also change the order in which they are shown. This is accessed thru the new "Edit" button at the top-right of the screen.
- In addition, you can add up to two additional copies of that first top-of-the-page, with each showing the parameters you customize it to show.
- In the Volt Diag function, we now allow you to override the year of the battery that is installed in your car for the Battery Capacity calculation. This will be useful if your battery has been replaced with one from a car of a different model year. It is almost required if you have a 2012 car because only you can determine if your car has the YK8 RPO which indicates that it has a 2013 battery.
- We made further corrections to the calculation of the Battery Capacity "kWh" value for 2013-2015 model years.
- We now issue an error message if you try to Connect to the OBD adapter before you have selected the connection method.
- We completed other minor fixes and improvements.
2.6.1 23/10/2023
In this version:
- We added the ability to select which parameters are shown at the top of the first Volt Hold function page. You can also change the order in which they are shown. This is accessed thru the new "Edit" button at the top-right of the screen.
- In addition, you can add up to two additional copies of that first top-of-the-page, with each showing the parameters you customize it to show.
- In the Volt Diag function, we now allow you to override the year of the battery that is installed in your car for the Battery Capacity calculation. This will be useful if your battery has been replaced with one from a car of a different model year. It is almost required if you have a 2012 car because only you can determine if your car has the YK8 RPO which indicates that it has a 2013 battery.
- We made further corrections to the calculation of the Battery Capacity "kWh" value for 2013-2015 model years.
- We now issue an error message if you try to Connect to the OBD adapter before you have selected the connection method.
- We completed other minor fixes and improvements.
2.6.0 17/10/2023
In this version:
- we added a new Diag Information screen to help you understand what results are "good" or "bad" when you run the tests on the Volt Diag screen. This is accessed by pressing the "Info" icon at the top-right of the screen.
- we revised what is shown for the Cell Balance test (part of Volt Diag) in some cases to show more meaningful information about the number of cells that are exceeding a range.
- we made changes to the App Functions documentation to give more information on the proper ways to use the Cell Balance test and to discuss how you might restore some of your lost battery capacity.
- we corrected the calculation of the Battery Capacity "kWh" value.
- we completed other minor fixes and improvements.
We also now require iOS 15 (was 13 previously) but this should have no effect on anyone since any device that can run iOS 13 can also run iOS 15.
2.5.0 08/08/2023
Version 2.4.0 is the first to require iOS 13 or later. Those of you running iOS 12 will still be able to run the version of MyVoltControl that you are currently using, and even install that version on "new to you" phones which are on iOS12. For the rest of us ... on with the show.
This version adds a new feature to the My Volt Diag function. You can now determine the internal resistance of the high-voltage battery in your car. This new feature completes the set of information needed to gauge the health of your traction battery.
Also in version 2.4.0, there is a new feature for the My Volt Lifetime function. It will now calculate the distance your car has driven in both ICE and EV modes. This information is formatted so that you can make a screenshot of the information to pass on to the next owner of your car after you reset the current Lifetime Fuel Economy value. Passing it on will prevent the loss of this information that otherwise occurs when you reset this value. (You can use this feature even if you are not resetting the Lifetime Fuel Economy value.)
We've also added what are known as "App Intents" to this version. What this means is that when you are using the Apple Shortcuts app to create shortcuts, you will now find MyVoltControl among the list of apps that provide support for Shortcuts. You can include MyVoltControl as part of other automations you are creating, or you can create a shortcut just to call MyVoltControl (such as starting it in the Volt Hold function). When you create such a shortcut, you can add a link to it as a bookmark on your home screen. You can give a shortcut any name you like, and simply speaking that name to Siri will run the shortcut immediately.
And of course ... other small improvements and bug fixes.
2.4.0 16/05/2023
With our apologies, version 2.3.3 fixes a problem with the formatting of the HV Isolation Test portion of the Volt Diag function on small screens.
2.3.3 09/05/2023
This version fixes a formatting problem for the Auto-Hold threshold settings page that occurred with smaller screen phones.
It also eliminates bright areas for iOS 12 users of the App on both the Volt Hold screen and the Volt 12v screen, which were always supposed to appear Dark.
2.3.2 30/03/2023
NOTE: This will be the last release which supports iOS 12. You will still be able to use MyVoltControl with your iOS 12 phone, and even download it if you get a "new" (to you) iOS 12 phone. What this really means is that future enhancements will not make it to your iOS 12 phone. Only those running iOS 13 or later will get future enhancements.
In this release we added another parameter that you can set to trigger "Auto-Hold", that being the temperature of the engine coolant. If you're going to have to burn fuel to get to your destination anyway, you may as well burn some of that early in your trip to warm the cabin.
We also fixed a few bugs.
2.3.1 24/03/2023
Version 2.3.0 delivers several major enhancements to MyVoltControl. We hope you like it!
1) The Auto-Hold function has undergone a major revision to allow you to automatically turn on Hold Mode based on 3 additional parameters. Using SOC as the trigger to protect a weak battery required advanced work to define that SOC, and then the SOC wasn't sensitive enough to really do the job. You can now trigger auto-hold based on average battery cell voltage, minimum cell voltage, or the difference between highest and lowest cell voltage (in addition to SOC and Speed). This is all done on a new Volt Hold "Data page". Refer to the App Functions document for more details.
2) For those trying to troubleshoot traction battery isolation problems, we've added the ability to rerun the isolation test at your command, easily, using only MyVoltControl.
3) We've added "Quick Actions" to the MyVoltControl App Icon on your home screen. Just long-press the icon to bring up a menu that allows you to immediately start the app in either the Volt Hold function, or the Volt 12v function.
4) This version will provide a very large improvement in the reliability of keeping your engine on, or off, as commanded. A large part of the Volt Hold command dispatching process was re-written.
5) Of course we fixed a few bugs. Most significantly, no-longer-used BLE OBD adapters will stop showing up as an option (after a brief time), and the Isolation test status will now show "Running" instead of "Unknown".
One more piece of news: This will be the last release which supports iOS 12. Note that you will still be able to use MyVoltControl with your iOS 12 phone, and even download it if you get a "new" (to you) iOS 12 phone. What this really means is that future enhancements will not make it to your iOS 12 phone. Only those running iOS 13 or later will get future enhancements.
2.3.0 11/03/2023
Version 2.2.1 fixes a bug that prevented the new "battery heating" indicator from working as expected.
In version 2.2, we added an indicator (red dot) to the Battery Temperature gauge (in the "Volt Hold" function) to show when the battery heater is on.
We also made several improvements to the "Volt 12v" function for better behavior at different screen sizes.
We fixed a bug causing the App-was-launched date in the menu "About" information to be incorrect.
2.2.1 10/01/2023
In version 2.2, we added an indicator (red dot) to the Battery Temperature gauge (in the "Volt Hold" function) to show when the battery heater is on.
We also made several improvements to the "Volt 12v" function for better behavior at different screen sizes.
We fixed a bug causing the App-was-launched date in the menu "About" information to be incorrect.
2.2.0 08/01/2023
This version includes various improvements to algorithms and user experience, and a few bug fixes.
The Auto-Hold speed selection in the Volt Hold function now shows speed units (mph or km/h) instead of just numbers.
2.1.1 03/09/2022
In version 2.1.0, we added the ability to automatically engage Hold mode based on State-Of-Charge or vehicle speed.
We corrected a problem where the Volt 12v function sometimes wouldn't update the graphs properly after an iPad was rotated.
We fixed the translations which were broken in the previous release.
Other minor fixes and improvements.
2.1.0 27/07/2022
We've added a new app function to display the voltage of, and current into, your 12 volt battery. The data is shown graphically, with a cursor that you can use to read exact values that occurred previously on the graph. And the data can be exported as a CSV file. Try it...you'll like it! (See the last picture above.) You must make an In-App Purchase to use this new function.
There is also a new section in the Volt Diag part of the app which lets you read out the result of the last high voltage isolation test performed by the car's computer.
These new features are supported in English, Dutch, and Ukrainian. As always, if you find translations that could be improved, please let me know.
2.0.0 15/07/2022
In this version, we fixed a bug preventing the SOC-target information, shown on the Hold Mode button, from being displayed in some split-screen configurations. And while we were at it, we changed the App so that the screen you were on when you start a split-screen operation will be restored when the operation is complete. (This includes restoring the Engine-On or Engine-Off requests if they were on.)
In version 1.9.0:
We've added native support for the iPad, which includes support for running it in split-screen mode with another compatible app. This would mean that you could take or make a phone call on your iPad and continue to run the Volt Hold function while you're on the call! (Note that OBD adapters don't support communicating with two apps at the same time, so you can't run two OBD-related apps at the same time.)
1.9.1 10/06/2022
We've added native support for the iPad, which includes support for running it in split-screen mode with another compatible app. This would mean that you could take or make a phone call on your iPad and continue to run the Volt Hold function while you're on the call! (Note that OBD adapters don't support communicating with two apps at the same time, so you can't run two OBD-related apps at the same time.) Thanks for the suggestion Harley!
We fixed a problem that prevented "Launch In Hold" functionality from working correctly when the app was made inactive but not placed in the background, such as when you started split-screen mode on an iPad.
A minor change to the App Functions document moves the information about the "Launch In Hold" menu option to the top so that it's not buried.
1.9.0 02/06/2022
In this version:
- I've added a Welcome message to direct you how to get started with MyVoltControl. (This message will only be shown 3 times, and only if you haven't already been using MyVoltControl.)
- I've modernized the Connection Help information for WiFi adapters to reflect changes in recent updates to iOS and to warn against a likely user error that might occur.
- I've updated the App Functions information to tell about expected results from resetting the Lifetime fuel efficiency numbers.
- I fixed an error occurring with a misbehaving OBD adapter for WiFi.
1.8.0 17/05/2022
In version 1.7.0:
- We fixed a problem in support of the OBDLink Cx (BLE) adapter and modified messaging to acknowledge that this is a secure BLE adapter.
- The "Delta" value show for the Cell Balance test in the "Volt Diag" function is now the total difference value. (Previously it was shown as a value above and below the median.)
- We fixed a problem in testing for OBD adapters that might support the ST command set but do not support the "Volt Afterblow" function.
- We improved the formatting of all messages.
- We increased the range at which BLE adapters can be discovered.
- Other minor improvements and bug fixes.
1.7.0 20/03/2022
In version 1.6.0:
- The My Volt Afterblow function is no longer available for 2013 model year cars. We now know that it has never worked in any app. If you have purchased this function in MyVoltControl for your 2013 vehicle, please contact Apple for a full refund of your in-app purchase price.
- You can now see the price for all in-app purchases without connecting to your car. (Perhaps you want to know this information before buying an OBD adapter.) You must still connect to the car in order to complete a purchase so that we know that you can use what you are purchasing.
- We've improved the layout of the App Functions document (in the Menu) so that it is more readable.
- Other minor improvements and bug fixes.
1.6.0 02/12/2021
In this version, we made MyVoltControl more fault-tolerant to improve customer experience for more error-prone OBD adapters.
We fixed the delayed initial display of battery temperature.
Other minor fixes and improvements.
In Version 1.5.0: we added support for Bluetooth-Low-Energy (BLE) (aka Bluetooth 4) OBD adapters.
The Ampera-e car (derived from the Chevrolet Bolt) is now supported.
1.5.2 22/02/2021
We improved the algorithms used to find and connect to Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) adapters.
In Version 1.5.0: we added support for Bluetooth-Low-Energy (BLE) (aka Bluetooth 4) OBD adapters.
The Ampera-e car (derived from the Chevrolet Bolt) is now supported.
1.5.1 08/02/2021
Version 1.5.0 adds support for Bluetooth-Low-Energy (BLE) OBD adapters.
The Ampera-e car (derived from the Chevrolet Bolt) is now supported.
General improvements.
1.5.0 27/01/2021
In Version 2.10.0:
- We changed the Volt Lifetime screen to better describe what is expected from the user here, and grouped the entry field with that description.
- We updated the App Functions document to fix the insufficient documentation of the Volt Lifetime function.
- We fixed a bug that prevented the MyVoltControl actions available in the Shortcuts app from launching the desired functions.
- There are other minor improvements in function and documentation.
more Version 2.10.0 23/10/2025
Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app.