Intro to Wireless
Cyclists use a variety of devices to measure their speed, heart rate, power, cadence, and more. When wireless versions of these devices first hit the market they used proprietary standards developed by each manufacturer, but today these devices typically use ANT+, Bluetooth, or both.
ANT+ has been largely popularized by Garmin, while Bluetooth is a more open protocol which has gained ground in recent years.
No ANT+ on Zwift for iOS
Zwift for iOS only communicates via Bluetooth. The desktop (PC and Mac) version of Zwift lets you connect directly to ANT+ devices using an ANT+ dongle, but if you want to connect ANT+ sensors to Zwift for iOS you will need to purchase a device which acts as a bridge between the ANT+ devices and Bluetooth.
This is where 4iii’s $80 Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor shines. Not only is it a heart rate monitor which can store fit file data, it can also work as an ANT+ to Bluetooth bridge. Read my Viiiiva review here, and get a discount code for 15% off >
Using the Viiiiva with Zwift for iOS:
- Install the iOS app for Viiiiva on your iDevice.
- Enable Bluetooth on your iDevice, open the Viiiiva app and pair your Viiiiva to your iDevice.
- Wake up your ANT+ devices and pair them via the Viiiiva app. Be sure to click “Done” to save your pairing.
- Turn off the Viiiiva app and start up Zwift, which will now be able to see your ANT+ sensors after it connects to your Viiiiva through Bluetooth.
Additional Notes
- After pairing your ANT+ devices to Viiiiva you must turn off the Viiiiva app before Zwift can connect to your Viiiiva. This is a limitation of Bluetooth, not Zwift or the Viiiiva: Bluetooth devices may only interact with one app at a time.
- Many smart trainers and power meters include cadence in their power meter ANT+ channel. If that is the case, do not pair up an additional cadence channel from the same ANT+ device or you will confuse the Viiiiva and cadence numbers will be wildly inaccurate.
What is going on with this?! Is there a solution in sight!? We all paid for this band by Zwift recommendation and are currently paying monthly for zwift without the ability to access the program properly?! WE NEED SOME FEEDBACK ZWIFT!
You should submit a ticket at http://support.zwift.com. They (ZwiftHQ) probably aren’t following this page very closely!
I picked up a wireless bluetooth bridge that works quite well. I review it on my blog.
https://journeymancyclist.com/2017/12/15/so-you-wanna-zwift-using-ios/
Okay, I’m still having the same problems as all of you, but I can’t figure out why it worked one time, and never again. I seriously thought I hit some magical sequence of buttons…is it possible they are working on it and I just happened to try when they were having a break through? Strangest thing ever…and so incredibly frustrating!
This is the lastest reply I got back from zwift. Hopefully not to much longer
John,
We believe we have fixed the issue on our end but are still in testing with 4iiii. Once they give us the okay (on their end), we’ll include it with the next update.
The latest iOS release notes (app update released tonight!) say the 4iiii issues have been fixed. Please check it out and post here to let others know if it’s working!
Just checked mine and it works. Only thing I found was I thought I read once that you have to turn Bluetooth off after you pair. I found that didn’t work. You just have to hit the disconnect button on the ziiii app.
I bought the Viiii HR and at first had some issues but finally figured it out: Bluetooth can only connect to one app at a time.
So make sure no other app is connected to 4iiii HR when you start Zwift (or any other app you want to use) AND let the app connect.
Then it all works great + it also transmits my Ant+ cadence, as promised.
I just found the NPE Cable unit ANT+ to BTE bridge. It’s about the same price as the 4iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii unit. It is not a HRM, but it is small (two quarters) and is supposed to last a long long time. Looks like a good solution for someone who just wants to put a dodad in their bike seat bag and forget about it. It has a nifty bike theft motion alarm and a gym mode for when you’re using one-time equipment.
The CABLE (Convert ANT to BLE) unit from NPE is in the process of rolling out a FW update which works around an issue in Zwift when there are multiple BLE services supplying cadence information. If there is a power meter and speed/cadence sensor providing cadence information the CABLE unit will only send the cadence via the Cycling Power Service so Zwift does not get confused. This is rolling out this week.
I picked up that product and like it. It’s wireless, easy and works well for me.
I reviewed it on my Blog, which I am shamelessly trying to drive traffic to here.
https://journeymancyclist.com/2017/12/15/so-you-wanna-zwift-using-ios/
Hi, I’m having trouble with this. I have just tried it out and paired up ok but I cannot get the controllable box at the bottom right to find my trainer so I’m just using it as a power source and the result is obviously no resistance during the ride. I’m using a cycleops power beam pro and iPad Air/iPhone 6s plus.
Any help would be great!
I just joined Zwift today with the Garmin speed and cadence sensors and the Viiiia HRM. Everything works perfectly. Does that mean the problem has been solved, or am I a fortunate outlier?
The iOS update to v1.0.16180 on Jan 28th added ANT+ support, so it now works with a Wahoo ANT+ key, and the Apple 30 pin to Lightning adapter.
I already have a wahoo RFLKT+ that can be an ANT+ Bridge for sensors. Is that supported by Zwift also or not or do I have to splash some cash?
Thanks for the help.
Haven’t personally tested the RFLKT+ but it should work!
I have tried with the RFLKT+, but not managed to get it working. I would be interested in hearing if you have had any positive results.
I’ve had no issues using the Viiiiva to bridge my ant+ garmin vector pedals to my ipad mini. My question is by bridging the signal does zwift read it as zpower? I did a race on zwift recently and that my results came up ad zpower. is there a way to address this? I don’t want the stigma of a poor set up over estimating my power.
No, Zwift reads it as a power meter. There is a known bug in the Zwift race results screen (at least, there was as of several weeks ago) where zPower indication is one line off for some reason–that’s probably what you saw.
Just wanted to say a thank you to all the posts in this thread… I’ve been using the laptop in the garage for a while and I’m finally going to take the leap to the ipad coupled with the viiiva HRM that I’m just about to purchase. I was aware of previous issues (almost a year ago) and feel confident that I can buy the HRM without any concerns… Happy XMas and keep cycling everyone!