After several months of beta testing, Zwift is now available for Apple’s tvOS!
Lowering the Barriers to Entry
With the new Apple TV 4k retailing for $179, this is now the most affordable platform for Zwifters seeking an experience of decent visual quality. Zwift is a graphics-intensive game which runs beautifully on gaming PCs but rather poorly on older, low-budget laptop and desktops. And while it runs decently on iPhone and iPad, running those devices into a big-screen TV returns acceptable but unimpressive results.
Thanks to today’s release, new Zwifters can now purchase an affordable Apple TV 4k, a decent smart trainer, and be off and riding with a quality Zwifting experience.
Gameplay Quality
While Zwift will run on the previous version of Apple TV (the 4th generation), your experience will be much better on the new Apple TV 4k which boasts greater graphic detail, sharper user interface elements, and higher framerates.
Here are a few quotes from game master Jon Mayfield, pulled from the Zwift iOS & tvOS group:
I think there’s a huge perceptible difference between the two. ATV4k will run smooth the entire time and runs at full 1080P, with a 4k user interface layered on top. It also supports glowing things (think Tron bike wheels) and has room for us to make the graphics even better.
Older Apple TV is an old iPhone 6 blown up to full screen. Gonna look pretty rough.
ATV4 can barely cope with a few riders on the screen. Every day as the worlds get more populated, the number of average riders on screen goes up, and the frame rate goes down. While I can say Zwift is more optimized than ever for packs of riders, I don’t think the optimizations are keeping up with the increasing numbers of riders.
The new ATV 4k runs at about twice the average framerate of the older Apple TV 4, and it does it at a much higher resolution too. It seems to keep up just fine so far.
Finally! Zwift in the Apple TV app store!
Bluetooth Device Limit
Apple TV only allows the connection of the Apple TV remote (needed for navigating apps) plus two additional Bluetooth devices. This means if you have separate Bluetooth sensors for your smart trainer, cadence, and heartrate, you will need to pair one or more of your Bluetooth devices to your phone via the Zwift Companion app, which will make them available on Apple TV.
The two device limit will be a non-issue to many Zwifters, since a smart trainer counts as only one device. Many smart trainers (such as the Tacx Neo, Elite Drivo, and Tacx Vortex Smart) broadcast power and cadence. This means you can get your controllable trainer connection plus power and cadence and a Bluetooth heartrate monitor all within the two device limit.
Need to Connect ANT+?
Need to connect ANT+ only devices such as a power meter or heartrate monitor? Use an ANT+ bridge such as 4iiii’s Viiiiva HR monitor (highly recommended, read the review) or NPE’s CABLE.
Need Custom Workouts?
Since you can’t copy and paste custom workout files into Apple TV’s file storage, the only way to get custom works into Zwift for Apple TV is to place those workouts in your paired Training Peaks account. Each day’s workout will automatically sync to your Zwift account and be available for you in Apple TV.
Here’s a quick Zwift for Apple TV intro video from Shane Miller:
Have you tried Zwift for Apple TV yet? Chime in with your thoughts below!
I’d love to see more details about the use of bluetooth for this. I’ve long read of flakiness when using bluetooth for smart trainers. Sporadic dropouts, weird values, etc… Using the bridge might be a solution but it adds complexity and complexity rarely truly solves anything.
Otherwise I’d happily retire the 6 year old macbook with a broken screen and half-functional keyboard for an AppleTV.
Bluetooth has been just fine for me when it comes to smart trainers. I’m not sure what else to write about when it comes to Bluetooth with Apple TV–the only reach “catches” are what is explained above. If you’ve got a Bluetooth smart trainer, it should work just fine!
Last winter I used the Garmin Bike Speed Sensor and Cadence Sensor (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JM6DKUA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) on a “dumb” trainer. I think it’s ANT+. Will that setup require a bridge?
Thank you!
Yes, since that Garmin sensor is ANT+ only, you would need a bridge.
Optionally, you could just buy a new Wahoo speed sensor/cadence combo. Bluetooth and ANT+! $70: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/bike-sensors/speed-and-cadence-sensors-bundle
I like that idea; two in one! Thanks for the link.
Is there a mid-price device i can use to run zwift in better quality 1080p ? I mean something about 300/400$ that can run zwift with medium to high quality @1080p with a decent fps value (i.e. 30)
Fabio, maybe the Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 GPU ($70 USD) in a budget PC tower, or an Nvidia MX150 GPU powered laptop (mobile GT 1030) – averages 60 fps at 1080 res with Medium quality/profile. Very hard to beat the Apple TV 4K on performance/cost now though.
Using the ATV remote, how do you give individual riders a “Thumbs Up”? I can’t seem to figure out how to navigate to the other screen items other than the power up and main menu.
My guess would be you need to use the Zwift app on a phone, that is what I have heard from others
Thanks, other Dan.
I have not figured out how to hide the rider nearby list, either.
It doesn’t seem to work with Apple Watch like an iPhone. With the iPhone one can use the watch as a heart rate monitor plus when the Zwift workout is completed it uploads to the Apple Watch workout history. Any plans for this?
Try the Mobile Link app on your iPhone. I run the the Apple TV 4k with the Mobile Link and it pairs with my Apple Watch for heart rate.
Thanks Justin, worked like a charm. No more heart rate strap to wear and wash. It uploaded to my workouts as a Mobil Link workout so now I’m getting distance as well as heart rate data on the Activity software. I was using an Apple 4 tv but picked up a 4k. The graphics are much better and I don’t notice any choppiness. I can’t see myself going back to a laptop or the iPhone using Airplay. I listen to music to ride and have been using my iPhone for music. It seems easier to control volume, etc. than using the separate controller for the Apple TV. Again, thank you.
John
Hi. Available in Europe ? Belgium ? Thanks
Set up AppleTV 4K, went fairly easily with pairing a Tax Neo and a Wahoo Tickr, did a short ride, figured out most of what I need, but how can I access the Zwift settings menu, i.e. Trainer Difficulty. I sometimes need to reduce it a bit, wouldn’t want to drag a computer down for that.
Press “menu”… then swipe… scroll, whatever you want to call it over to “settings” while in game. Adjust as desired.
Regarding using training peaks for custom workouts…
Can you upload (or convert) a .zwo file (such as from whatsonzwift.com) into training peaks at all? Unsure about how I’d do this.
Thanks!
I’m wondering the same thing! I’ll be interested to hear a reply!
No automated conversion tool that I’ve seen yet.
I cannot get AppleTV to use Erg mode while I am doing a planned workout?? Suggestions… I have a Kickr and new AppleTV.
I am experiencing exactly the same issue. Will not use erg mode in structured workouts
Yep, having the same issue. Stopped using ATV app until Zwift figures it out.
I have a .zwo workout file I want to load into AppleTV – I see how the trainingpeaks integration works, but I can’t import my .zwo file INTO training peaks (trainingpeaks doesn’t like .zwo files) to then allow the Zwift integration on AppleTV? How can I upload an existing .zwo file? (or can it be converted somehow FIRST – THEN uploaded to training peaks THEN imported to AppleTV
I cannot control any of the menus in Zwift with my AppleTV remote. I can’t select workouts, end ride, choose gear etc. The only buttons that works is the menu and home button.
It is working. I had to restart and update the software on my AppleTV
Not a fan of ATV app. Because I have to pair a couple of sensors, I need to use the Zwift Link app. That forces me to use the ATV remote to do some functions and the Link app to do others. When I stream using AirPlay I can do everything I need to by touching my phone. Zwift should incorporate the same functionality into the Link app. The ATV remote is Useless. I agree with Rainmaker on that point.
I am unable to pair my Kickr trainer with the Zwift app on Apple TV. The kickr pairs fine with the wahoo app and works fine with the Zwift app on my iPad but will not pair with the Apple TV. I am wondering if it is a range issue. I can find no information as to how close to the Apple TV box the trainer has to be for it to pair.