# Connecting Your Devices for Cycling

> To ride in Zwift, you'll need to connect at least one device that provides speed or power. You can also connect additional devices like resistance, cadence...

Source: https://support.zwift.com/en_us/connecting-your-devices-for-cycling-HJIFDrw5S

Last updated: 2026-07-08T19:52:53.912Z

# Connecting Your Devices for Cycling

To ride in Zwift, you'll need to connect at least one device that provides speed or power. You can also connect additional devices like resistance, cadence, controls, and heart rate.

## Connecting Your Devices

1.  Open Zwift and sign in.
2.  On the **PAIRED DEVICES** screen, select **POWER SOURCE** or **SPEED SENSOR**.
    
    You need one of these to move in Zwift.
    
    *   **Power Source:** Use for smart trainers or power meters.
        
    *   **Speed Sensor:** Use for classic trainers with a speed sensor.
        
        Using a speed sensor? After connecting your sensor, verify your Tire Size setting matches your rear tire. See [Connecting a Speed Sensor](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/connecting-a-speed-sensor-ryZdj7beB).
        
3.  Select your device.
    
    Show image
    
    ![Trainer option on paired devices screen](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Cycling - Paired Devices Device Options 1.106.png "Select Your Device")
    
4.  Select **CLOSE** to continue.
    
5.  If prompted, confirm the pairing request.
    
6.  Select any additional connections you want to use (in any order):
    
    *   **RESISTANCE:** Connect your smart trainer to control resistance, including gradients and ERG mode during workouts.
        
    *   **CADENCE:** Connect a cadence sensor, or use cadence data from your trainer if available.
        
    *   **CONTROLS:** Connect devices like Zwift Click, Zwift Ride, or compatible steering accessories.
        
    *   **HEART RATE:** Connect a heart rate monitor that broadcasts via BLE or ANT+.
        
7.  Once you're all connected, select **OK** to continue.
    
    Show image
    
    ![Devices connected on paired devices screen](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Cycling - Paired Devices OK 1.106.png "Select OK")
    

## Using a Smart Trainer with a Separate Power Meter

If you're using both:

1.  Connect the trainer as your **POWER SOURCE**. This allows you to set your trainer as resistance and cadence.
    
2.  Connect the trainer as **RESISTANCE** and **CADENCE**.
    
3.  Connect the power meter as the **POWER SOURCE**.
    

## Things to Know

*   Devices that only broadcast ANT+ require a compatible ANT+ receiver to be detected and only appear in the All category.
    
*   Your trainer must be connected over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (not ANT+) to use virtual shifting. ANT+ can still be used for standard trainer control.
    
*   Zwift remembers previously paired devices and may try to reconnect to them automatically.
    
*   You'll see the best connection type under the Recommended category based on your setup. You can see all available connection types in the All category.
    
*   You can use the Zwift Companion app as a bridge if your computer doesn't have built-in BLE or you've reached the BLE connection limit on your device (BLE connection limits vary by device). Your phone and the device running Zwift must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
    

## Connection Icons

The following icons appear on the Paired Devices screen:

 

Icon

Description

![ANT+ Connection Icon](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Connection Icon - ANT.png "ANT+")

ANT+ connection.

![BLE Connection Icon](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Connection Icon - BLE.png "BLE")

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection.

![Trainer Bridge Connection Icon](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Connection Icon - Trainer Bridge.png "Trainer Bridge")

Trainer Bridge connection (when supported by your trainer).

![Wi-Fi Connection Icon](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Connection Icon - Wi-Fi.png "Wi-Fi")

LAN connection via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

![USB Connection Icon](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Connection Icon - USB.png "USB Connection")

USB connection (when supported by your trainer).

![ZC Connection Icon](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Cycling/Resources/Images/Connection Icon - ZC Bridge.png "Via Zwift Companion app")

Connection through the Zwift Companion app. Your phone and Zwift device must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

A caution symbol indicates the BLE receiver is off or the ANT+ dongle is unplugged.

## Troubleshooting

*   Close any other apps that may be connected to your devices (such as training or trainer apps), as they can block Zwift from detecting them.
    
*   Check if you have any additional Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices connected to your computer, phone, or Apple TV that may prevent Zwift from being able to detect your devices. The maximum number of BLE connections varies by device.
    
*   Make sure your device is awake and broadcasting so it appears in Zwift.
    

For more steps, see [Trainer Connection Issues](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/trainer-connection-issues-HkyqWXej6).

## Related Articles

*   [Using the Zwift Companion App as a Bridge](https://support.zwift.com/using-the-zwift-companion-app-as-a-bridge-ByAnUzlLj)
    
*   [Compatible Trainers](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/compatible-trainers-BkPlq7gr)
    
*   [Compatible Cycling Accessories](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/compatible-cycling-accessories-ryfy2ixY)
    
*   [ERG Mode in Workouts](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/erg-mode-in-workouts-SkQJC8OEH)
    
*   [Using Your Trainer as a Bridge](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/using-your-trainer-as-a-bridge-rJ1JwU6Ee)
    
*   [Virtual Shifting](https://support.zwift.com/virtual-shifting-faq-r16UiRFlT)
    
*   [Tire Size Conversion Chart](https://support.zwift.com/tire-size-conversion-chart-HyH6NiQckg)
    

Ride On.

\-The Team at Zwift