Do you want your epic Zwift rides and runs to automatically appear on Strava, sharing your hard-earned stats and virtual adventures with your followers? Excellent choice! Connecting Zwift to Strava on your iPad is a straightforward process that will unlock a world of data analysis and social sharing for your indoor training. Let's get you set up so you can focus on pushing those watts and racking up those KMs!
Step 1: Get Your Apps Ready
Before we dive into the connection process, make sure you have both the Zwift app and the Strava app installed on your iPad. It's also a good idea to ensure both apps are updated to their latest versions to avoid any compatibility issues.
- Download Zwift: If you don't already have it, search for "Zwift: Indoor Cycling Fitness" in the App Store and download it.
- Download Strava: Similarly, search for "Strava: Run, Bike, Hike" in the App Store and download it.
- Log In or Create Accounts: Ensure you have active accounts for both Zwift and Strava. If you're new to either, take a moment to set up your profile and login credentials.
Step 2: Initiate the Connection from Zwift
The most common and recommended way to connect Zwift to Strava is to do it directly within the Zwift app or through your Zwift account online. For iPad users, the Zwift app is usually the easiest route.
Sub-heading: Through the Zwift iPad App
- Open the Zwift App: Launch the Zwift app on your iPad.
- Navigate to Settings: Once you're in the app, look for the "More" section. This is usually represented by a triple-line icon (hamburger menu) or a "..." icon, typically found in the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap on it.
- Access Connections: Within the "More" section, you'll find "Settings." Tap on "Settings," and then look for an option called "Connections." Tap on "Connections."
- Find Strava: You'll see a list of various third-party apps and services that Zwift can connect with. Scroll through the list until you find "Strava."
- Connect to Strava: Tap on the Strava icon or name. This will prompt you to log in to your Strava account.
- Authorize Zwift: After you've entered your Strava login details, Strava will present you with a screen asking for authorization. This is where you grant Zwift permission to upload your activity data to your Strava account. It's generally recommended to check all the boxes or allow all permissions to ensure all your ride data, including photos and videos (if enabled in Zwift), syncs correctly.
- Confirm Connection: Once you've authorized, you'll be redirected back to the Zwift "Connections" screen. You should now see a checkmark or a clear indication next to Strava, signifying that the connection has been successfully established. It might take a moment to refresh, so if you don't see it immediately, try navigating back and then re-entering the "Connections" section.
Sub-heading: Through the Zwift Website (as an alternative)
While less common for iPad users, you can also connect via the Zwift website, which will then reflect in your iPad app.
- Go to the Zwift Website: Open a web browser on your iPad (Safari, Chrome, etc.) and go to my.zwift.com.
- Log In: Log in to your Zwift account.
- Access Profile Settings: Once logged in, click on your profile picture (usually in the top right corner) and select "My Profile."
- Find Connections: On your profile page, look for "Settings" and then navigate to "Connections."
- Connect to Strava: Follow steps 4-7 from the "Through the Zwift iPad App" section above.
Step 3: Verify the Connection on Strava
It's always a good idea to double-check that the connection is active from Strava's side.
- Open the Strava App: Launch the Strava app on your iPad.
- Go to Settings: Tap on the "You" tab (your profile icon) at the bottom right. Then, tap on the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner.
- Check Partner Integrations: Within the Strava settings, look for "Partner Integrations" or "Link Other Services." Tap on it.
- Confirm Zwift: You should see Zwift listed there, indicating that it's connected and enabled. If you don't see it, or if it says "disabled," you might need to try reconnecting from Zwift again.
Step 4: Ride On and Sync!
Now that your accounts are linked, every Zwift activity you complete will automatically upload to your Strava feed shortly after you finish and save your ride or run in Zwift.
- Automatic Upload: Once you complete a Zwift activity and select "End Ride" and "Save" (or similar options), Zwift will process the data and automatically push it to your connected Strava account.
- Check Your Strava Feed: Open your Strava app a few minutes after finishing your Zwift session, and you should see your activity proudly displayed in your feed, complete with all your Zwift data, including the virtual route, power, cadence, heart rate (if you used sensors), and any screenshots or video clips you captured in Zwift.
Troubleshooting Tips: When Things Don't Sync Smoothly
Even with a seemingly straightforward process, sometimes glitches happen. Here are some common troubleshooting steps:
- Disconnect and Reconnect: This is often the first and most effective solution. Go back to the Zwift app (or website) connections settings, disconnect Strava, and then reconnect it, re-entering your Strava credentials and re-authorizing permissions.
- Check Internet Connection: Ensure your iPad has a stable internet connection. Zwift needs a good connection to upload your activity, and Strava needs one to receive it.
- Update Both Apps: As mentioned before, make sure both Zwift and Strava apps are running their latest versions. Outdated apps can sometimes cause syncing issues.
- Restart Your iPad: A simple device restart can often clear up temporary software bugs.
- Check Zwift's Activity History: If a ride isn't appearing on Strava, check your activity history within the Zwift app or on my.zwift.com. If the activity isn't there, it might not have saved correctly in Zwift itself.
- Manual Upload: If all else fails, you can manually upload your .fit file. Zwift saves activity files locally.
- Go to my.zwift.com and log in.
- Navigate to your "Activities."
- Find the missing activity and click on the gear icon (Activity Settings).
- Select "Download Fit File."
- Then, go to
strava.com/upload/select
- Review Strava Privacy Settings: Occasionally, privacy settings on Strava might interfere with uploads. Ensure your activity visibility settings allow Zwift to post.
- Contact Support: If you've tried everything and are still facing issues, don't hesitate to reach out to Zwift Support or Strava Support. They can often access logs and identify specific problems.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Zwift is connected to Strava on my iPad? Open the Zwift app, go to "More" -> "Settings" -> "Connections." You should see a checkmark or "Connected" next to Strava.
How to disconnect Zwift from Strava on iPad? In the Zwift app, go to "More" -> "Settings" -> "Connections," tap on Strava, and select the option to disconnect or revoke access.
How to manually upload a Zwift activity to Strava from iPad?
Go to my.zwift.com in a browser on your iPad, log in, find the activity under "Activities," download the .fit file, then go to
How to ensure Zwift photos and videos upload to Strava? Make sure "Video Sharing" and "Image Uploading" are enabled in your Zwift settings within the app, usually found under general settings or preferences.
How to resolve Zwift activities not showing up on Strava after connecting? First, disconnect and reconnect the accounts. Then, ensure both apps are updated and your iPad has a stable internet connection. If still an issue, try a manual upload.
How to know if my iPad's internet connection is affecting Zwift to Strava sync? If your Zwift activity fails to save or appear in your Zwift activity feed as well, it's a strong indicator of a network issue during your ride.
How to prevent duplicate Zwift activities on Strava? Ensure you only have one connection established between Zwift and Strava. Avoid connecting through multiple platforms (e.g., Zwift app and Zwift website simultaneously if it creates a conflict, or through other intermediary services).
How to fix Strava not showing all data from Zwift activities? Ensure you granted all necessary permissions when authorizing Zwift's connection to Strava. Sometimes, incomplete permissions can lead to missing data like heart rate or power.
How to confirm which Zwift account is linked to which Strava account? Always log in to the specific Zwift and Strava accounts you wish to link during the connection process to ensure they are correctly paired. You can verify this by checking the profile information in both apps.
How to get historical Zwift activities to sync to Strava? Automatic syncing typically only applies to new activities after the connection is established. For historical activities, you will need to manually download the .fit files from my.zwift.com and upload them to Strava.
