Web Bluetooth Help & Troubleshooting
Solve common Bluetooth connectivity issues to get your indoor training session started
Web Bluetooth is a technology that allows websites to communicate with Bluetooth devices directly from your browser. Vekolo uses Web Bluetooth to connect to your smart trainer and heart rate monitor without requiring any additional apps or software installation.
Web Bluetooth is supported in all Chromium-based browsers, including:
- Google Chrome (version 56+)
- Microsoft Edge (version 79+)
- Opera (version 43+)
- Brave, Arc, and other Chromium-based browsers
On iOS, unfortunately, Apple did not implement support for Web Bluetooth, so you can't use the web app on an iPhone or iPad. However, we're working on a native app for iOS and Android.
In most Chromium browsers, Web Bluetooth is enabled by default. However, if you're having issues:
- Open a new tab and type
chrome://flags
in the address bar - Search for "bluetooth"
- Enable "Experimental Web Platform features"
- Restart your browser
If you're having trouble connecting to your Bluetooth device, try these steps:
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer or smartphone
- Close other apps that might be using Bluetooth connections
- Move closer to your device to ensure a strong signal
- Restart your device and your browser
- Check for interference from other wireless devices or USB 3.0 cables
- Update your device's firmware to the latest version
- Try a different USB port if you're using a Bluetooth adapter
- Clear your browser cache and cookies
This is normal behavior for security reasons. Browsers require explicit permission each time a website wants to access Bluetooth devices. Some browsers may remember your choice if you select "Remember this decision" when prompted.
If your computer doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you can use an external Bluetooth adapter:
- Purchase a Bluetooth 4.0 or later USB adapter (often called "Bluetooth LE" or "BLE adapter")
- Plug it into a USB port on your computer
- Install any required drivers
- Restart your computer
- Try connecting again
Unfortunately, Safari on iOS does not support Web Bluetooth, and Apple requires all iOS browsers to use Safari's rendering engine. This means Web Bluetooth is not available on iOS devices through any browser. We're working on a native iOS app to provide Bluetooth connectivity for iPhone and iPad users. In the meantime, consider using an Android device or a desktop/laptop computer with a supported browser.
Some smart trainers have specific quirks when used with Web Bluetooth:Wahoo KICKR/CORE:
- Make sure your firmware is updated to at least version 1.1.1 for FTMS support
- Power off other Wahoo devices that might be interfering
- NEO models may require a specific connection sequence
- Try disconnecting from the Tacx app before connecting to Vekolo
- Some models may need to be "woken up" by pedaling before they'll connect
- Ensure the trainer is in Bluetooth mode (check the indicator lights)
Still having questions?
If you're still experiencing issues or have questions that aren't answered here, we're here to help!
Send us an email