I run Zwift on a windows laptop and once I have started my route I open the iPhone Companion app which promptly loads the same route and I can follow it, control view angle, give ride ons etc.
But occasionally, the iPhone app doesn’t load up the route I’m on. Even if I close the app and re-open it, still no connection.
Any ideas why this is happening and how I can fix it?
Thanks
This is nearly always a problem with your home network. The Companion app needs to discover the Zwift app on your network and all of that traffic is local. If you describe all of your home networking equipment you may get some suggestions. The two devices must be on the same network.
Thanks. Yes, the two devices are on the same network - I only have one network in the house. However, I do have two extenders, so is it possible the phone and laptop are connected to different extenders maybe? Would that cause it?
As I say, most of the time it works fine. I guess about 1 in 4 of my rides gives me this problem.
Yes that is possible, and it’s possible that extenders may defeat the discovery process. Disabling WiFi and reenabling it once both devices are in the same area of your home might also cause them to prefer the nearest access point. If your network offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands using the same network name, you could also separate those to ensure that device discovery is not defeated by the way your network equipment bridges traffic between devices on different frequency bands. A common way to do that is to rename the 2.4GHz network to something else so all devices are forced onto 5GHz.
ok. many thanks for this. I shall do some tweaking then. I think my router has the ability to transmit only 2.5GHz or 5GHz, so I might just disable one of them.
The router’s admin interface may be able to tell you if any devices are using the 2.4GHz band. Many IOT devices only support 2.4GHz so if you have a WiFi enabled refrigerator (shudder) or similar things, you may find that it can’t use 5GHz. For example the mini-splits attached to my heat pump and my HP laser printer can’t use 5GHz so I have to enable 2.4GHz for some connected features to work.
Not an iPhone user here, but sometimes I read in the forum you should disable WiFi Assist.
Thanks. Is this a setting in the app or in the iPhone settings?
wifi assist is an iPhone setting, not Zwift Companion app
Thanks. I thought phones automatically switched to using cellular (4G, 5G) when there was no wifi anyway? My phones have always done that. I don’t have to actively select cellular when I leave the house, for example.
Yeah they do that automatically, but that means if it happens when trying to use the companion app it won’t find your game and connect.
Ok, I just checked and I don’t have wifi assist enabled on my phone anyway
Thanks for reaching out. This is Haziel from Zwift Support.
Based on the issue you’re describing, it is usually related to the network connection between your laptop and phone, as mentioned by @Paul_Southworth
I recomend you to go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network and ensure Companion has permission. Toggle it off/on if needed. You can also force-close the Companion app before reopening it to refresh the connection.
You can find the full troubleshooting table and port details in this article, “Issues with Zwift Companion App.”
If you have any more questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to assist you.
Thanks. I went to Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network on my iPhone, but the companion app is not in the list. How do I add it?
Hey @Stuart_Taylor6
Alejandra here from Zwift!
To fix this, start by deleting the app completely and reinstalling it from the App Store. Once reinstalled, make sure your iPhone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Zwift device.
Open Zwift on your main device and launch the Companion app. This should trigger a prompt asking for Local Network access. Be sure to tap “Allow” when prompted. If you don’t see the prompt, restarting your iPhone after reinstalling the app can help reset permissions.
Once granted, Zwift Companion should appear in the Local Network list, and you’ll be able to toggle access manually if needed.
We’d love to hear how this works out for you!
Have a nice day.
Hi Alejandra
I followed your instructions, but I got no prompt asking for local network access. I powered off my iphone and tried again, but still got no prompt.
Is there something else we could try?
The thing that made me think this is not a permission problem is that you said that it “occasionally” fails to load the map. If local network access were denied to the app, you would be experiencing “never” loading the map.
Yes, it only fails to connect occasionally. Good point!
although I don’t understand why the Companion does not appear in my list of apps allowed local access (in my iPhone settings).
My iPhone 15 is the same. No sign of Companion permissions in Local Network. But it’s quite reliable. Occasionally I have to shut off WiFi and turn it back on again to get a connection but that is rare. I suspect it’s related to my TP-Link Deco mesh WiFi system which has two nodes.