Quick Fix Checklist (try these first) #

1. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your smartphone
2. Remove the sensor from all other apps and devices (watch, manufacturer’s official app, phone’s Bluetooth settings…)
3. Wake up the sensor: put on the heart rate strap, spin a wheel or pedal, etc.
4. Turn Bluetooth off and back on on your smartphone
5. Restart your smartphone
6. Remove and re-add the sensor in BikeCompanion

If the problem persists, follow the detailed steps below.

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The sensor doesn’t show up when scanning in BikeCompanion #

The most common reason a Bluetooth sensor won’t connect to BikeCompanion is that it’s already connected to another device or app. A Bluetooth sensor can only be paired with one app at a time.

Depending on the manufacturer, a sensor can take a while to wake up. After activating it (by putting on the heart rate strap, spinning a wheel, etc.), give it at least 60 seconds to appear and connect.

1. Remove the sensor from other apps and devices #

This includes in particular:

• GPS watches: if for example you have a Polar watch with an H10 chest strap, the watch will grab the strap. Launch BikeCompanion and pair the strap before starting an activity on the watch — otherwise the strap stays tied to it.
• Radars (Garmin Varia, Bryton Gardia): a radar can only be connected to one app at a time. It must not be paired with any other app or device, including the official Garmin Connect or Bryton Active app.
• The sensor’s official apps: Wahoo Fitness, Polar Flow, Garmin Connect, etc.
• Your phone’s Bluetooth settings (see step 3).

Once the sensor has been removed elsewhere, try adding it in BikeCompanion again. If it still doesn’t show up, keep going.

2. Make sure BikeCompanion has Bluetooth permission #

On iOS: open the Settings app, find BikeCompanion in the list, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

On Android: long-press the BikeCompanion icon, choose App info → Permissions, and make sure Nearby devices is allowed.

3. Make sure the sensor isn’t paired in your phone’s Bluetooth settings #

The sensor should be connected only inside BikeCompanion, not in your phone’s system Bluetooth settings. If it appears there, remove it (“Forget this device”).

4. Check the battery / reset the sensor #

Make sure the sensor’s battery isn’t low. If possible, remove the battery for one to two minutes to force a full reset, then put it back in. Shake or spin the sensor so it starts broadcasting again.

5. Turn Bluetooth off and back on on your phone #

Advanced option: if nothing else works, you can reset your network settings. In your phone’s Settings, look for “Reset Network Settings” or “Reset Bluetooth”.

6. Scan again in BikeCompanion #

Go back to Add a sensor. If nothing shows up, cancel the scan and restart it two or three times.

7. Test the sensor in another app #

Try connecting your sensor in another app like Wahoo Fitness (iOS / Android, free). If it doesn’t connect there either, the issue is most likely with:

• the sensor itself (battery, hardware failure),
• your phone’s Bluetooth,
• or a persistent connection with another device.

If on the other hand it connects fine in another app but not in BikeCompanion, reach out to support — that’s what we’re here for.

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Still stuck? #

Contact BikeCompanion support and include:

• your smartphone model and OS version (iOS/Android),
• the brand and model of the sensor,
• the steps you’ve already tried from this page.