Connecting Your Devices for Cycling
After launching Zwift, you'll make the choice to connect your power source (trainer/power meter) or speed sensor, then you can connect resistance, cadence, and if you have other compatible accessories you'll also connect those.
This article covers the following:
General Steps for Connecting to Zwift
While we do have a few device-specific articles, general steps for connecting to Zwift are available below. Keep the following in mind when pairing your devices:
If your computer doesn't have built-in BLE or you're pairing more than two devices on Apple TV you'll need to use the Zwift Companion (ZC) app as a bridge.
You may need to wake up your device before pairing.
Your trainer must be paired over Bluetooth, and not ANT+, to access virtual shifting.
Devices that only broadcast in ANT+ will not be found by Zwift when running the game on a PC, Mac, iOS device, or AppleTV without using an ANT+ receiver.
Check you don't have any unnecessary devices paired to the device running Zwift before launching Zwift. The maximum number of BLE connections available varies by device. Zwift may be unable to find your fitness devices if you already have BLE devices paired to the device running Zwift.
If you have any third-party apps such as trainer or training apps open on the device that’s running Zwift, be sure to close them.
If a third-party app is running in the background, it may prevent Zwift from detecting your device.
- Open Zwift and sign in.
In the PAIRED DEVICES screen, select POWER SOURCE or SPEED SENSOR.
Select the device you'd like to pair via BLE or ANT+.
Zwift remembers the devices used in the previous session and may attempt to pair to those devices if they are present and available. If you see devices paired that you don't wish to use, you can simply deselect them and select the device you do wish to pair.
- Select RESISTANCE and CADENCE to pair your trainer to those options and then select the appropriate tile for any additional devices you want to pair then select your appropriate device.
Once you're all paired, select OK.
If you're running into connection issues, reach out to us-we're here to help!
Available Connections
Curious about what each of the options does on the PAIRED DEVICES screen, check out the sections below for more info.
POWER SOURCE/SPEED SENSOR
When you first sign in to Zwift, you can choose to use POWER SOURCE or SPEED SENSOR to allow you to move in-game.
Power Source: You'll want to choose the POWER SOURCE option if you're connecting a smart trainer (a trainer that transmits data) or a trainer+ a separate power meter.
Speed Sensor: If you're connecting a trainer that doesn’t transmit data + a speed/cadence sensor, you'll want to choose the SPEED SENSOR option.
If you want to use a separate power meter with a smart trainer, first pair the trainer as your power source. Then, after pairing your trainer as RESISTANCE and CADENCE, pair the power meter as your POWER SOURCE.
RESISTANCE
When your trainer controls resistance, you'll automatically feel those uphills on the route you're riding in Zwift. It also sets your resistance to a specific wattage target based on your cadence when you're doing a workout—we call this ERG mode. If your trainer controls resistance, you'll want to connect it here.
CADENCE
You don't need to pair a cadence sensor to Zwift, but it does provide useful info. If you have a trainer that transmits cadence, you'll want to connect that here. If your trainer doesn't transmit cadence, you can connect a separate cadence sensor.
CONTROLS
You can connect devices such as the Zwift Play, Zwift Click, or Zwift Ride to enjoy the freedom to control the UI and in-game functions such as virtual shifting from your bike. You can also connect compatible accessories like the Elite Sterzo, Elite Rizer, and JetBlack Steering Block here.
HEART RATE
Adding a heart rate (HR) monitor to your setup can help you decide when to increase or decrease your effort to achieve your desired results while you're training in Zwift. You can connect nearly any HR monitor in-game, provide it connects and broadcasts HR data via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or ANT+.
Connection Icons
For info on the icons on the PAIRED DEVICES screen, check out this table:
| Icon | Description |
|---|---|
 | Indicates you can connect Bluetooth (BLE) with the Zwift Companion (ZC) app as a bridge. The device and phone need to be on the same wifi network for power data to be sent from the trainer to Zwift. |
 | Indicates you can connect with ANT+. |
 | Indicates you can connect with BLE. |
The caution symbols indicate that the BLE receiver is off or the ANT+ dongle is unplugged.
Ride On.
-The Team at Zwift
