Re-pairing & Reconnecting

How KDMLink reconnects to a paired N-Link, how to forget a device, and how to re-pair after switching phones or clearing the bond.

Re-pairing & Reconnecting

Once you've paired your N-Link the first time, KDMLink remembers it and reconnects automatically — you normally never touch the pairing screen again. This page covers what "reconnecting" looks like day to day, the difference between reconnecting and re-pairing, how to forget a device, and how to recover when the connection won't come back.

Reconnecting vs. re-pairing

These two sound alike but mean different things:

  • Reconnecting — re-establishing the Bluetooth link to a device you've already paired. This is automatic and needs no system picker. It happens every time you start the car or open the app.
  • Re-pairing — pairing the N-Link again from scratch through the system picker. You only need this if the pairing was removed — for example you forgot the device, switched phones, or cleared the bond in your phone's Bluetooth settings.

Automatic reconnect (the normal case)

Because the pairing is owned by your phone's operating system, KDMLink doesn't scan or show a picker to reconnect. When the app opens or the N-Link powers up, it connects straight to the remembered device by its saved reference.

  • KDMLink keeps trying if the N-Link isn't in range yet, backing off gradually between attempts (about 5s, then 10s, 20s, 40s, up to 60s) so it doesn't drain your battery.
  • If an active connection drops unexpectedly, the app attempts a quick reconnect within a couple of seconds.

🎥 Video placeholder — app reconnecting automatically. To be added.

iPhone background note:

On iPhone, iOS sometimes pauses the data feed while the app is in the background. When you bring KDMLink back to the foreground it re-arms the feed automatically — a brief pause right after reopening the app is expected and recovers on its own.

Manage paired devices in the app

The Connections screen lists your remembered N-Link devices and lets you connect, disconnect, or forget them.

📷 Image placeholder — the Connections screen with a paired N-Link. To be added.

  • Connect — tap Connect on a remembered device to reconnect manually.
  • Disconnect — tap Disconnect to drop the link on purpose. While you stay disconnected this way, the app won't auto-reconnect until you reconnect or reopen the app.
  • Pair a new device — opens the system picker to add another N-Link.
  • Forget — swipe a device left and confirm to remove it (see below).

Forget a device

Forgetting removes the N-Link from KDMLink and clears the pairing your phone's operating system was holding. Use it when you're selling the N-Link, switching cars, or want a clean slate before re-pairing.

1

Open Connections

Go to the Connections screen where your paired N-Link is listed.

2

Swipe to forget

Swipe the device row to the left to reveal Forget, then confirm in the dialog. If the device is currently connected, KDMLink disconnects it first.

📷 Image placeholder — the swipe-to-forget gesture and confirmation. To be added.

After forgetting, the N-Link will no longer auto-connect. To use it again you'll need to re-pair it from the system picker.

Forget in the app, not just in phone settings:

Because pairing is managed by your phone's OS, removing the N-Link only from your phone's system Bluetooth settings can leave KDMLink and the OS out of sync. Always forget the device from the KDMLink Connections screen so both are cleared together.

Re-pair when the previous pairing is gone or broken. Common reasons:

  • You forgot the device (in the app or in your phone's Bluetooth settings).
  • You switched to a new phone — pairings don't transfer.
  • The N-Link was paired to someone else's phone and you're setting it up on yours.
  • The connection is stuck and a full reset is the fastest fix.

The re-pair flow is the same as first-time pairing:

1

Remove the old pairing (if any)

If the device still shows in Connections, forget it first so you start clean.

2

Power on the vehicle

Turn the car on so the N-Link is powered and advertising.

3

Tap Pair a new device

On the Connections screen tap Pair a new device (or use Pair Device on the Connect screen). Your phone shows the system picker.

4

Select your N-Link and confirm

Pick your N-Link from the system list and confirm any Bluetooth pairing prompt, exactly as you did the first time. See Pairing & Connecting for the per-platform details.

📷 Image placeholder — re-pairing through the system picker. To be added.

Troubleshooting reconnection

  • Won't reconnect on its own — make sure the car is on (the N-Link only has power with the ignition on) and your phone is nearby with Bluetooth enabled. Open the Connections screen and tap Connect.
  • Stuck on "Connecting…" — power the vehicle off and back on to restart the N-Link, then try Connect again.
  • Connected but no data — the link is up but no vehicle data is arriving. Confirm the car is running and the N-Link install is fully seated. If it persists, a forget-and-re-pair usually clears it.
  • Keeps dropping mid-drive — keep your phone within range and avoid blocking it with metal or thick cases. If drops continue, forget the device and re-pair.
  • Nothing works — forget the device and re-pair from scratch. This is the most reliable reset and clears any stale pairing on the phone.

🎥 Video placeholder — forget-and-re-pair recovery. To be added.