Companion app can't find my Kickr V5

Dear friends,

I’m an avid Zwift user and have the following setup since 2020:
Apple TV (on a Phillips television)
Wahoo Kickr V5.0
Polar HRM 10

I did my research before buying and felt like upgrading was useful to me for steering/controls, so I went along and bought the Zwift Play controllers. I know Apple TV is limited to 3 Bluetooth connections (My Wahoo Kickr, my HRM and the remote control) but did not mind as the Companion app could be used a bridge for this.

I’ve read through many topics and common mistakes but haven’t been able to resolve my problem yet:
When I open my Companion App and go to Zwift hardware it can detect the Zwift Play controllers but seems unable to detect the Wahoo Kickr. You might say it’s possible still connected to your Apple TV or something else but as far as I can tell this is not the case - My Apple TV is still powered off in this stage and if I look on my phone in the bluetooth devices, it detects the Wahoo Kickr, and the Wahoo Kickr is blinking blue every second (indicating is it ready to pair to a device). I am unable to connect directly to my Kickr via my phone because it says I need an app to control this. I have installed the Wahoo application and can detect+connect my Kickr within that application, checked for firmware updates and so on, but it does not let me connect directly through my Bluetooth devices, nor does it show up when I open my companion app. So my phone is able to detect the Wahoo Kickr but does not find it within the companion application? (I’ve also tried a different phone, same result)

When I open up Zwift on my Apple TV it automatically detects and connectswith the Kickr even when it already connected within the Wahoo app on my phone aswell (simultaneously).

I have another television also with Apple TV and this one seems to be unable to detect the Wahoo Kickr? (once again, everything is turned off, bluetooth on my phone, the ‘working’ Apple TV, …) which is really weird aswell?

Tldr: I’m an Apple TV user, but seem unable to use Zwift Play controllers because the Zwift Companion app wont detect my Kickr. I would think if it’s blinking a blue signal it is ready to pair and is not paired in that stage to any other device.

Any suggestions would we wildly appreciated!

Hi @Sander_Bulens_BZR welcome to Zwift forums.

Shuji at Zwift HQ here. I looked through your server log history, and have your solution. Your KICKR v5 is still using the factory firmware version 4.0.1. Updating the firmware with Wahoo’s app (here’s how) is the most important first step.

Once that’s done, pair your signals in this sequence:

  1. Power: Always over Bluetooth. For Apple devices, Bluetooth is the only option as ANT+ is not supported.
  2. Resistance: Signal may take ~15 seconds to appear after the Power signal has bonded. This lag is normal and expected.
  3. Cadence:
  4. Controls (i.e. your Zwift Play controllers, and also Click shifters if using).
  5. Heart rate monitor (if using).

The Play controllers are a fantastic upgrade for Apple TV users (I am also an ATV user). The controls allow you to navigate the game menus much more easily than the ATV remote. However - the KICKR v5 is not capable of running the firmware that supports Virtual Shifting. So this one aspect of the Play’s functionality will not be available with the v5.

Would you let us know that updating the KICKR’s firmware solved this issue? TIA.

Hi Shuji,
Thank you for going through the logs.
I had updated the firmware to the latest version (4.3.0) earlier today after the problem emerged but it did not resolve the problem. I still seem to be unable to detect the Kickr on the Companion app. I’m gonna try deleting and re-installing the Companion App just in case. To be continued!

E: After re-installing the problem still remains (unable to detect the trainer within ZC), the app is able to detect the Play controllers but not the Kickr.

@Sander_Bulens_BZR

This may be the misunderstanding. The Zwift Hardware tab of the Companion app is there so you can update firmware on Zwift-manufactured hardware. It will not detect hardware made by third parties, and plays no role in pairing your trainer’s signals to the main Zwift app.

I see you are very experienced Zwifter, but perhaps you are new to using Companion to bridge your trainer connections? This guide will help you do that.

Insane that I overlooked this Shuji, it actually works now through those simple steps, I’m truelly amazed (and a bit embarrassed).
Many thanks for the help, I’m gonna enjoy this ALOT!

2 Likes

Woohoo! Very happy we solved this mystery together! Thank you for reporting back so this can help someone else in the future.