Zwift connects to your various devices (smart trainer, HR monitor, cadence meter, etc) via ANT+ or Bluetooth. ANT+ is the most common method among Windows PC users, while Bluetooth is popular with the iOS crowd.
ANT+ USB sticks (sometimes called “dongles”) plug into your computer, allowing communication between your computer and your devices.
- Garmin: Reliable and reputable, but a little pricey at ~$35 on Amazon
- Suunto Movestick Mini: seems to be just as reliable as the Garmin, ~$30 on Amazon
- Anself: In our tests, these seem to work just as well as the dongles above, for a fraction of the price. Ships without documentation, but who needs that when all you do is plug it in? ~$13 on Amazon
While you’re at it, get a USB extension cable. They’re cheap, and allow you to move your ANT+ stick as close to your trainer as you’d like. The AmazonBasics cables work well and only cost ~$7.
Problems getting your ANT+ stick to work with Zwift? Check out this support page.
Ordered whaoo kickr little worried about connecting to my lap top have a dell Windows 10 on it. Not knowing much about computers hoping this will connect with swift wondering if you could advise on this matter.
It will connect to Zwift if you purchase and use an ANT+ dongle like those listed above.
Hi I currently own a tacx satori pro turbo trainer and would like link it to my computer.would that be possible if I purchased an ANT+ dongle.also do I need broadband internet connection to run swift hardware on my laptop.many thanks Gary.
I’m using the excellent Tacx USB Ant+ antenna T2028.
https://www.tacx.com/en/products/accessory/ant-antenna?lang=en-US
Excellent, yes. But also very overpriced!
Actually cheaper than the Garmin one here in the Czech Republic. Would it be a better bet than the Garmin/Suunto mini ones given it can readily be placed next to the (Elite) trainer?
I have the Wahoo Blue speed and cadence sensor (the newest version with Bluetooth and ANT+). I am able to pair it with the Zwift terminal for Mac, but as soon as I start the ride it doesn’t work well. Actually, it tends not to work at all. I don’t understand what’s going on but it’s super frustrating. I will start pedalling and it picks up speed, etc., for 2 seconds. If I keep pedalling it will sometimes start again and say that I’m going 2, 3, 5mph (even though I’m pedalling way faster), then will drop back down to 3, 2, 0mph.
Further, I have also tried using Zwift’s Mobile Link app but find that I have the same problems as I do when I connect via the internal Bluetooth option within Zwift’s terminal for Mac.
The Wahoo sensor pairs instantly and works beautifully with the Wahoo app – the speed and cadence stats seem accurate and it doesn’t lose connection – so it’s not the sensor itself.
Additionally, though maybe I need to post this part on a separate thread, the Zwift terminal on my computer doesn’t work all that well either. It’s glitchy, to say the least.
Any suggestions, and/or do you happen to know if Zwift plans on working out the kinks?
Not sure–I would contact Zwift support on this one!
I’ve got the Anself from Amazon and haven’t had any issues with dropouts. I’ve even used it for updating the firmware on my Garmin Vector 2 pedals without any problems.
I have bluetooth on my mac, do I still need to purchase an ant+ USB dongle?
If your trainer (and other devices) support bluetooth then you shouldn’t need to do anything with ANT+.
If your trainer (and other devices) support bluetooth then you shouldn’t need to do anything with ANT+.
I have a Tacx bushido which is Bluetooth as well as ANT. My mac is recognising my sensors, but it doesn’t seem to be able to recognks the whole trainer. Consequently I can see cadence, power and heart rate, but it doesn’t alter the resistance according to the profile of the ride. I don’t know why, but it is making me think that I should perhaps get a dongle, which is slightly frustrating because I’m sure I shouldn’t have to as the full functionality should already be there. Would be interested to hear if anyone else has had this problem.
Is your computer recognising the trainer as a power meter or a turbo..
I’ve just had the same issue…
Did you manage to connect your mac through the built in bluetooth or did you need to buy a dongle? As I can’t work out how to connect my mac through its built in bluetooth
Having trouble pairing speed & cadence sensors. I have a Garmin 810 and Garmin Ant +, do I need anything else
I have downloaded the Zwift mobile app on my iPhone 6. I also have the garmin bike speed sensor and cadence sensor and both are attached to the bike. My trainer is the Jetblack Z2 trainer. I want to utilize the mobile app while using Bluetooth but the app is not detecting the sensors. What else do I need?
You can also get the OEM version of the Garmin ANT+ dongle at Digikey for $20.68 (+S/H):
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/dynastream-innovations-inc/ANTUSB-M/1094-1009-ND/3947399
Hi,
I have a Kinetic Rock & Roll trainer and I am considering buying and fitting their Smart Control Power Unit. I use a Mac Mini (late 2012) with Ant+ sensors (HRM, Cadece, Speed). The new unit will be Bluetooth only, but my Mac Mini supports this.
The question I cannot find an answer to is; Will Zwift on the Mac recognise both Bluetooth and Ant+ sensors simultaneously? I.E. can I use my Ant+ HRM and Cadence sensors, or do I need to but Bluetooth ones?
Iain
My understanding is YES, it can do both bluetooth and ANT. I don’t have a mac to test this on though!
Curious when I click the Docooler link, it takes me to the anself product on amazon. Anyone else with this issue?
Just fixed the link above.
Do you know of any Ant+ dongles that work with the new MacBooks which only have USB-C ports?
Looks like the link to the Docooler dongle is linking to an Anself dongle. Is that the one you warn against?
I have a kinetic smart trainer and connect to my pc through the zwift app on my phone. It drops a lot and in some cases doesn’t connect at all. By using the ant dongle does this simply bypass the smartphone altogether?
Yes, if you use ANT+ you can connect your smart trainer directly to your PC… no need for the phone in between. It’s the best way to connect, in my opinion!
Trying out the Zwift Running feature. I have a Garmin foot pod and i’m trying to connect it to my Macbook Pro. Do I need a Ant+ dongle or will the footpad connect via bluetooth on it’s own?
I am trying to use the Zwift running feature on my Macbook Pro utilizing a Garmin Foot Pod. Do I need to use an Ant+ dongle or will it connect with bluetooth?
As far as I know Garmin Footpods (and pretty much everything else Garmin) are ANT+ only. So you’d need the dongle to connect it to Zwift via your Mac.
Thanks!
I have a Garmin ant stick, in windows the ant run perfectly but in Mac, the ant is not recognized, what can I do?