ZWift - Anyone know how to get it working?
Discussion
Ok so i bought the ZWift, the trainer and everything else to go with it, however having trouble getting it to work via the Bluetooth. I have a ANT+ dongle which does work however i seem to get loads of power output drops.
Would anyone know how to get this working via Android, it also seems a bit odd that i have too pair my phone to the trainer using BlueTooth and not my computer?
More information:
The phone does find the trainer via BT
The computer can find the trainer via BT
The Zwift mobile application reports nothing is paired via BT
The computer does not find the trainer via the app.
The app seems to be working as i can register for rides
Using ANT the connection is via the laptop and works as expected
I need to decide if i want to keep it or send it back as i am loosing interest already but i thought i would give it another chance.
Would anyone know how to get this working via Android, it also seems a bit odd that i have too pair my phone to the trainer using BlueTooth and not my computer?
More information:
The phone does find the trainer via BT
The computer can find the trainer via BT
The Zwift mobile application reports nothing is paired via BT
The computer does not find the trainer via the app.
The app seems to be working as i can register for rides
Using ANT the connection is via the laptop and works as expected
I need to decide if i want to keep it or send it back as i am loosing interest already but i thought i would give it another chance.
Which trainer? Which computer?
Bluetooth will only work with a Mac / Iphone.
There is no Android App for Zwift yet.
If using a PC you need to connect via ANT+ (Prob need to buy a dongle)
If using a mac can us BT or ANT+ (If you have a dongle)
If iphone / Apple TV - bluetooth only
If android - not going to work (yet.
If you trainer is connected to your phone via BT then it may not also connect to your computer.
To Troubleshoot:
Disconnect everything - BT off on phone
Turn on computer
Plug in trainer
Open zwift
Should come up wiht connects box, and if you have mac will conect via BT / if PC + ANT+ dongle will conect
You should be good to go.
Any help??
Bluetooth will only work with a Mac / Iphone.
There is no Android App for Zwift yet.
If using a PC you need to connect via ANT+ (Prob need to buy a dongle)
If using a mac can us BT or ANT+ (If you have a dongle)
If iphone / Apple TV - bluetooth only
If android - not going to work (yet.
If you trainer is connected to your phone via BT then it may not also connect to your computer.
To Troubleshoot:
Disconnect everything - BT off on phone
Turn on computer
Plug in trainer
Open zwift
Should come up wiht connects box, and if you have mac will conect via BT / if PC + ANT+ dongle will conect
You should be good to go.
Any help??
And the answer to dropouts is usually a long USB extension cable that allows you to put the ant+ dongle somewhere near the trainer.
If you want to pair bluetooth devices with zwift (PC) You can also use zwift mobile link (app) on android OR ios to pair the sensors to mobile link. If your phone is on the same network as your PC, the sensors should then magically become availalble to the PC (the phone is effectively proxying them)
If you want to pair bluetooth devices with zwift (PC) You can also use zwift mobile link (app) on android OR ios to pair the sensors to mobile link. If your phone is on the same network as your PC, the sensors should then magically become availalble to the PC (the phone is effectively proxying them)
If you have Bluetooth on your computer there should be no need for your phone to set it up.
Open the app on your computer - make sure your trainer, anything else BT is awake - when the app launches you'll be able to find your devices.
I connect my kickr, powertap pedals, hr monitor and MacBook like this.
Open the app on your computer - make sure your trainer, anything else BT is awake - when the app launches you'll be able to find your devices.
I connect my kickr, powertap pedals, hr monitor and MacBook like this.
esuuv said:
If you have Bluetooth on your computer there should be no need for your phone to set it up.
Open the app on your computer - make sure your trainer, anything else BT is awake - when the app launches you'll be able to find your devices.
I connect my kickr, powertap pedals, hr monitor and MacBook like this.
That is what i do not understand, why do i need to use a phone? As a poster mentioned earlier, it seems to be using the phone as a proxy for the devices. This is using a Android phone and a Windows laptop.Open the app on your computer - make sure your trainer, anything else BT is awake - when the app launches you'll be able to find your devices.
I connect my kickr, powertap pedals, hr monitor and MacBook like this.
If the ANT+ is the only way to go then I don't think i would want to keep it. It is too much of a faff and i cann't get used to cycling in VR, just seems bizarre. It is like having computer pen pals instead of having proper friends.
I use Zwift on my ipad mini or iphone - whatever is nearest and easiest to grab on the way into the garage.
It connects directly to my tacx vortex over BT, as well as connecting to my wahoo heart rate and 'cadence' monitor.
Zwift connects directly to them and is connected directly from the zwift app.
I use the tacx app to configure the vortex and update it.
I use the wahoo app to configure the heart rate and cadence monitors.
Works great - connects fine with no issues.
It connects directly to my tacx vortex over BT, as well as connecting to my wahoo heart rate and 'cadence' monitor.
Zwift connects directly to them and is connected directly from the zwift app.
I use the tacx app to configure the vortex and update it.
I use the wahoo app to configure the heart rate and cadence monitors.
Works great - connects fine with no issues.
Edited by BobSaunders on Tuesday 28th November 17:34
Edited by BobSaunders on Tuesday 28th November 17:35
AndStilliRise said:
That is what i do not understand, why do i need to use a phone? As a poster mentioned earlier, it seems to be using the phone as a proxy for the devices. This is using a Android phone and a Windows laptop.
If the ANT+ is the only way to go then I don't think i would want to keep it. It is too much of a faff and i cann't get used to cycling in VR, just seems bizarre. It is like having computer pen pals instead of having proper friends.
The phone is used for the companion app only normally - an app that enables you to book in to events and similar. It shouldn't be needed for getting goingIf the ANT+ is the only way to go then I don't think i would want to keep it. It is too much of a faff and i cann't get used to cycling in VR, just seems bizarre. It is like having computer pen pals instead of having proper friends.
You have downloaded the zwift app onto the computer haven't you?
Disconnect the trainer etc from the phone - bluetooth it to the computer. Turn the phone off for now and get it all hooked up through the pc
I have to use the Zwift Mobile Link app as an intermediary.. couldn't think why until I started typing this post and remembered that my zwift pc is that old I don't think it has bluetooth 
It can be bloody fussy - sometimes it wont pick up the wahoo sensors unless I use the wahoo utility app, close that and then run zwift
It can be bloody fussy - sometimes it wont pick up the wahoo sensors unless I use the wahoo utility app, close that and then run zwift
Bluetooth only works for Macs, IOS or android devices, not PCs.
Bluetooth devices only support a single connection, so close any other apps or PC connections.
Don't try and pair, just connect in the mobile link app.
I run it on an ipad and I don't get any drop outs, my old-ish PC, Bluetooth through the mobile link app or ANT+, wasn't super reliable.
Bluetooth devices only support a single connection, so close any other apps or PC connections.
Don't try and pair, just connect in the mobile link app.
I run it on an ipad and I don't get any drop outs, my old-ish PC, Bluetooth through the mobile link app or ANT+, wasn't super reliable.
Ant+ is zero faff. Once setup, and with a sensible extension lead (not always necessary, but given the average household has a ton of other stuff shouting in similar frequencies, particularly wifi, it's a good idea), it's just plug and go.
In my experience, bluetooth is quite flaky and pernickety on PC's, not matter the application.
Not sure why the OP is even trying however as it sounds like he's already pre-decided he wants to hate / mock it. IMHO unless you're committed to doing some proper training on a turbo, it will disappoint. If you are, it's gold.. It makes turbo sessions easier and adds a 'game' element, which helps some. At the end of the day, it's still a turbo.
Enjoy the treadmill. Think I'd rather put my nuts in a vice.
In my experience, bluetooth is quite flaky and pernickety on PC's, not matter the application.
Not sure why the OP is even trying however as it sounds like he's already pre-decided he wants to hate / mock it. IMHO unless you're committed to doing some proper training on a turbo, it will disappoint. If you are, it's gold.. It makes turbo sessions easier and adds a 'game' element, which helps some. At the end of the day, it's still a turbo.
Enjoy the treadmill. Think I'd rather put my nuts in a vice.
upsidedownmark said:
Ant+ is zero faff. Once setup, and with a sensible extension lead (not always necessary, but given the average household has a ton of other stuff shouting in similar frequencies, particularly wifi, it's a good idea), it's just plug and go.
In my experience, bluetooth is quite flaky and pernickety on PC's, not matter the application.
Not sure why the OP is even trying however as it sounds like he's already pre-decided he wants to hate / mock it. IMHO unless you're committed to doing some proper training on a turbo, it will disappoint. If you are, it's gold.. It makes turbo sessions easier and adds a 'game' element, which helps some. At the end of the day, it's still a turbo.
Enjoy the treadmill. Think I'd rather put my nuts in a vice.
Thanks man. 😀. I am trying to like it, honestly! In my experience, bluetooth is quite flaky and pernickety on PC's, not matter the application.
Not sure why the OP is even trying however as it sounds like he's already pre-decided he wants to hate / mock it. IMHO unless you're committed to doing some proper training on a turbo, it will disappoint. If you are, it's gold.. It makes turbo sessions easier and adds a 'game' element, which helps some. At the end of the day, it's still a turbo.
Enjoy the treadmill. Think I'd rather put my nuts in a vice.
What was wrong with giving the trainer a USB connection. Grrr... instead I have to use an extension cable for a wireless connection device to sit next to the unit, absurd.
Prospects for the android app saving the day before the treadmill is bought... close to nil
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/community/posts...
Jon Mayfield November 15, 2017 05:01
My update I posted two weeks ago is probably the last update we'll have on this for 2017 unfortunately.
As a heads up though, an android phone will almost certainly be the worst of all ways to run it when we do release it. This is due to the massive device fragmentation, fragmented operating systems, and drivers (bluetooth, sound, and graphics all matter to Zwift). Then there's the fact that android devices have poor 3d processors, except in all but the $750 phones (and even then they are a fraction of the speed of a new iPhone). The 3d performance is key to what Zwift is trying to do.
For these reasons, and more, we focused first on where the hardware was that could do what we needed to do - and that was Apple. This gave android device manufacturers time to play catch up in the 3D hardware game, and while they are still generally 1.5 years behind in performance from iPhones at least there are top tier phones that can run Zwift reasonably well now.
I'm a long time android user, and have actually been on teams who made android devices from the ground up (circuit boards and all), but we have to be real here and understand the limitations when it comes to what these devices are capable of.
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/community/posts...
Jon Mayfield November 15, 2017 05:01
My update I posted two weeks ago is probably the last update we'll have on this for 2017 unfortunately.
As a heads up though, an android phone will almost certainly be the worst of all ways to run it when we do release it. This is due to the massive device fragmentation, fragmented operating systems, and drivers (bluetooth, sound, and graphics all matter to Zwift). Then there's the fact that android devices have poor 3d processors, except in all but the $750 phones (and even then they are a fraction of the speed of a new iPhone). The 3d performance is key to what Zwift is trying to do.
For these reasons, and more, we focused first on where the hardware was that could do what we needed to do - and that was Apple. This gave android device manufacturers time to play catch up in the 3D hardware game, and while they are still generally 1.5 years behind in performance from iPhones at least there are top tier phones that can run Zwift reasonably well now.
I'm a long time android user, and have actually been on teams who made android devices from the ground up (circuit boards and all), but we have to be real here and understand the limitations when it comes to what these devices are capable of.
AndStilliRise said:
Thanks man. ??. I am trying to like it, honestly!
What was wrong with giving the trainer a USB connection. Grrr... instead I have to use an extension cable for a wireless connection device to sit next to the unit, absurd.
I hear ya. With a software head on I could hazzard a few answers - it heads towards the android issue explicitly / implicitly in the answer from JPJP. Too many different implementations, not enough standardisation. If you're writing software it's a ballache to support all the different permutations, and you're always behind the curve. instead ANT+ is a convenient existing protocol that's supported, and plays well with all the other stuff (HRM's, power meters and so on). UN fortunately it wasn't really planned (as far as I know) as an indoor protocol, and tends to be susceptible to wifi interference (which isn't so common out on your ride).What was wrong with giving the trainer a USB connection. Grrr... instead I have to use an extension cable for a wireless connection device to sit next to the unit, absurd.
Bluetooth is the other option, but as you've found, it doesn't really work with a PC (see above), and seems the companion app/mobile link is not a great solution.
A 5m usb cable cost me less than a pint of beer off the bay of E, and all has been good. Last time I had dropouts I went outside and the powermeter promptly died of a flat battery.. doh!
The latest option (and cheapest if you didn't already have a computer to run it on) is the apple tv zwift app. Allegedly good (and bluetooth), although my apple tv is pre-historic and so can't.
None of which will of course be any help if you don't 'get' the zwift/turboing thing. If not, so be it, each to their own
For my blinkered point of view, I'm going to be on the turbo for probably 3 workouts a week, plus using it as a bailout option if it's too horrible outside for my weekend ride. I rarely do a pure 'virtual' ride, normally it's a workout (in which case the turbo is in erg mode, and I'm just trolling round the scenery while doing the hamster in a wheel thing). I occasionally dabble with group workouts and races. It definitely makes it more fun than doing the same staring at a wall. I hate running indoors with a passion, and mostly tolerate it outdoors (there's little weatherwise that will flat out stop me being able to run outside). Given I used to do it all staring at a smudgy sheet of paper and a watch, willing the minutes away, I perhaps have a different perspective.
frisbee said:
Bluetooth only works for Macs, IOS or android devices, not PCs.
Bluetooth devices only support a single connection, so close any other apps or PC connections.
Don't try and pair, just connect in the mobile link app.
This. It's exactly as the OP said in another post - the phone is a bridge, converting the trainer bluetooth into something a PC can understand. In order to make this work, you need to have Bluetooth enabled on the phone and the laptop, the phone to be paired with the laptop via Bluetooth, and Zwift Mobile Link running on the phone. Don't pair the trainer with the phone, and if you've already done so, go into Bluetooth settings and forget the pairing.Bluetooth devices only support a single connection, so close any other apps or PC connections.
Don't try and pair, just connect in the mobile link app.
When you get to the trainer pairing screen, the Bluetooth phone icon should be active. Assuming it is, search for controllable trainer and it should be listed with a little Bluetooth symbol over the top.
The procedure is described in more detail here --> https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/206576...
Usget said:
frisbee said:
Bluetooth only works for Macs, IOS or android devices, not PCs.
Bluetooth devices only support a single connection, so close any other apps or PC connections.
Don't try and pair, just connect in the mobile link app.
This. It's exactly as the OP said in another post - the phone is a bridge, converting the trainer bluetooth into something a PC can understand. In order to make this work, you need to have Bluetooth enabled on the phone and the laptop, the phone to be paired with the laptop via Bluetooth, and Zwift Mobile Link running on the phone. Don't pair the trainer with the phone, and if you've already done so, go into Bluetooth settings and forget the pairing.Bluetooth devices only support a single connection, so close any other apps or PC connections.
Don't try and pair, just connect in the mobile link app.
When you get to the trainer pairing screen, the Bluetooth phone icon should be active. Assuming it is, search for controllable trainer and it should be listed with a little Bluetooth symbol over the top.
The procedure is described in more detail here --> https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/206576...
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