Zwift version 1.122 begins its phased rollout today. This update includes automatic background pairing, homescreen changes, and the removal of all level-locked roads. Read on for details!
No More Roadblocks
Zwift’s update notes say they have, “Removed level restrictions from routes and route intersections, making all routes available to Zwifters at any level.”
Prior to this update, level gates existed when turning off the Epic KOM Reverse toward the Jungle (level 5+), turning from the Jungle Circuit onto Alpe du Zwift (level 6+), and turning at the LAX Roundabout onto the Southern Coast Road (level 10+).
Background Pairing
As mentioned in last week’s “What else is coming on Zwift?” post, today’s update includes background pairing. If you have it enabled (it’s turned on by default), the game boots directly to the homescreen and automatically connects to your fitness devices (trainer, power meter, heart rate monitor, controllers, etc) instead of forcing you to click to continue from the pairing screen.
Small widgets on the homescreen show your pairing progress:
The Pairing button on the homescreen shows how many devices are connected, and you can click it to add or change devices:
Additionally, Pairing Options are now available on the Pairing screen, allowing you to enable or disable the new Background Pairing feature and use Zwift Companion as a Bluetooth bridge:
Homescreen Changes
As announced in their “This Season On Zwift” Fall 2026 Press Release, Zwift has been working on several homescreen changes. These will “roll out gradually” starting with today’s game update. Changes include:
- The new theater card puts Challenges front and center on the Home screen.
- Personalized Recommendations are now only visible in the ‘For You’ row.
- New Progress Widget on the Homescreen makes levels, achievement counts, and route completion more visible, giving Zwifters something to chase every time they log in.
- The ‘For You’ row now uses ribbons to show when planned activities are due, e.g. today, tomorrow, and day-of-week labels.
- Estimated duration now shown on route cards when selecting a workout from the Home screen.
New Launcher
Zwift says that launcher version 1.1.18 is now the minimum required version and will be installed automatically. This launcher has a slightly different look from the old one, and includes your profile photo, name, and ride/run levels:
The more important improvements, though, are behind the scenes, particularly for macOS users who have had connectivity challenges due to recent OS updates. Zwift’s release notes for the new launcher include this line for macOS:
Improved Local Network and Bluetooth permission handling when the macOS Launcher starts Zwift. Wi-Fi trainers and Companion devices connect more seamlessly on newer versions of macOS.
Coming Soon – Tour of Watopia
Today’s release notes include a mention of Tour of Watopia coming soon. This big ride series is always a fun kick off to “indoor season”. This year features double XP, new unlocks, and our first look at the Watopia expansion… what’s not to love?
The Tour runs from October 5-November 15. Watch Zwift Insider this Friday for all the details about ToW 2026!
Release Notes
Zwift supplied these additional release notes:
- Fixed a crash that could occur with JetBlack Victory trainers connected via USB when used as a Bluetooth bridge for other fitness devices like heart rate monitors or Zwift controllers.
- Windows: Improved Bluetooth connection reliability.
- iOS and tvOS
- Reduced the amount of time it takes to open Zwift on some devices.
- Improved text clarity on larger / lower DPI displays.
Discuss this update in Zwift’s forum >
Questions or comments?
If you spotted any other changes or bugs in the update, please comment below!
When you post these upgrades, it is frustrating. I’m in Zwift 4-5 times a week. I want to force my system (windows) to do the upgrade now instead of waiting 1, 2, maybe 3 days. I want this “early adopter” option so it doesn’t effect my race days.
Some nice updates, always thought the level gates were a little strange as level 6/10 is a low bar. I wouldn’t expect someone just start cycling to be able to to AdZ even at level 10, but it was a bit annoying to be locked out of some of those routes when I picked up Zwift to supplement outdoor riding.
To me getting rid of the pairing screen and not the loader screen is strange especially as they have now updated the loader screen.
Seeing the Loader Screen has zero benefit and sometimes if you step away to get ready you can forget to click Lets Ride, at least the pairing screen disappeared once sensors were paired.
The only use of the loading screen is the possibility to change profile (e.g. for my kids), but they could just as well make that an option within the main screen.