I’ve seen this addressed before, but all the answers seem to be from 3 years ago…
I’m trying to use a Garmin Cadence Sensor with my iPad, but while it can easily connect with either of the two Bluetooth pairings, no data comes through. No RPM, no nothing. Just “Connected.”
Maddeningly, I DID get data for a single ride. … but I have no idea why, what was different, or how to make it happen again.
Ideas?
Thanks for any help!
Hi @Jared_Brockmeyer welcome to Zwift forums!
Shuji at Zwift HQ here. Couple of questions for you:
Q1: Which model of Garmin cadence sensor do you own? Current models broadcast in both Bluetooth and ANT+. Older models used to broadcast only in ANT+ because Garmin invented the ANT+ protocol. Would like to make sure you have a current-gen model because iPhones and iPads do not support ANT.
Q2: I peeked at your server logs and noticed you’re logging into the game from an iPad13. I noticed that you log in, ~ 1 minute passes, and you log in again. What’s missing in between is a log out event generated when you save & exit the game (or save & trash).
This step is crucial to terminate your session - if you don’t, the server thinks your first session is still open, and weird symptoms like your cadence signal not being available to pair, or your avatar not moving, etc, etc. can happen.
Please try the following:
If no - when’s the last time you put a fresh battery in that cadence sensor?
I also having trouble pairing a Garmin cadence sensor. The issue seems to be specific to pairing to Apple TV via the companion app, and appears to be a Zwift bug rather than a device issue.
I am using a Kickr v2 which doesn’t have integrated cadence.
Specifically - If I pair the kickr and the cadence sensor (and no other devices) directly to Apple TV, both devices connect and I have cadence numbers show up in the game.
But - if I pair the kickr and cadence sensor via the companion app, I see cadence numbers in the companion app but the game displays greyed out cadence and “Connection Error” in the cadence area.
The fact that I see cadence numbers in the companion app but not in the game suggests that the sensor is working correctly but zwift is not sucessfully communicating the data between iphone and apple tv.
I am also having the same issue but in my case the Cadence Sensor is connected to my Apple Watch and I have connected its heart rate sensor and the trainer through the companion app on my phone. Everything worked great for a single ride but now the cadence sensor does not show up.
If I connect and disconnect the cadence sensor from the watch and/or restart the companion apps it will show up temporarily but then disappears. As Kevin mentions, through the Apple Watch I can see that that cadence sensor shows up and records data fine so this appears to be a Zwift issue not a watch or sensor issue.
I’m getting the exact same thing happening, although at the very start of my ride the cadence in the game will show for a few seconds then I get the connection lost error message and then it goes blank.
For some reasons i have similar issues with my trek cadence sensor.
What works for me is switching from pc Bluetooth to phone connection via companion app inside zwift game.
Then trek cadence shows up on Bluetooth.
Then switch back to pc Bluetooth inside zwift game. Now the pc Bluetooth connection to all devices is reliable except Bluetooth headphones. Thats still crap.
Why not using companion app all the time? I want to watch netflix while zwifting… that does not work while using CA.
After a bit of searching, an email sent an a reply from Zwift support & trial and error I tried using the companion app on my old iPad Air 2 and my KickR, HR monitor and my Garmin Cadence sensor all worked perfectly, both on my app and in the Game. Sounds ideal but like yourself I usually use my iPad to watch Netflix while Zwifting.
My Garmin Cadence sensor 2 was working perfectly last season and now it pairs on the paired devices screen and then is immediately dropped when the ride starts. Yes, there is a fresh battery.
I’ve confirmed this is a Garmin not Zwift bug. First, I’ve erased all apps, updated to latest version (1.69 for the game), reinstalled, unpaired sensors and paired again. No improvement. I just bought a gravel bike and a second cadence sensor for it. I swapped with my road bike used with Zwift. Like the rest of you, it worked once. I rejoiced thinking my original sensor was defective. I try a second ride and the same problem rears its head. Felt bad for throwing my original sensor under the bus. 
There seems to be an incompatibility with later versions of iOS. Other apps on my iPhone report no data from the sensor. Works great connect to my AppleTV though but I lose my HRM.
Zwift, these are Garmin sensors not random nameless knockoffs. I’m betting plenty of folks are having this issue but lack the ability to properly report. Probably a good portion are using their trainers for cadence. I know this is no solution as my Kickr will report wildly inaccurate rpm values especially on climbs.
This should be fixed. I’m going to hit up Garmin but you should probably chime in. 
It’s basic functionality. Easily replicated. Been fighting with this for months. (sick and tired really at this point. Workouts often require accurate cadence! How am supposed to train?)
Zwift 1.69 - tvOS 17.5.1
Zwift Companion 3.59 - iOS 17.5.1
Garmin Cadence Sensor 2
Garmin HRM Dual
Hey, any updates for us? it’s been more than a year and I’m having all the same problems everyone else in the thread is and it sure as heck isn’t the battery or session closing issue. You guys fix this yet or have any suggestions?
I got to an impasse with Garmin. I worked with them a bit and it looks like Zwift is off the hook but the problems likely are with outdated software/firmware on the sensor.
To work with Zwift, this was my “solution.”
Not the best, but it works. The Magene sensors works just fine with my iPhone and therefore Zwift Companion and now I can train confidently.
