Wireless Connectivity for ELEMNT, BOLT, and ROAM

ELEMNT, BOLT, and ROAM computer connection types

• GPS
  • to receive location data from GPS satellites
• Bluetooth
  • to connect to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet
• ANT+ / Bluetooth
  • to connect speed, cadence, heart rate, power, and other sensors or trainers
• Data / internet
  • indirect connection via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi antennas
• Wi-Fi
  • direct connection on ELEMNT computer
    
    

Requirements by connection type

Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)

• A device capable of running the current version of the ELEMNT app. Currently iOS 13+ and stock Android 9+. For more details, see Device compatibility [ELEMNT app]. 
• Bluetooth enabled
• All requested Bluetooth and location permissions confirmed.

ANT+ / Bluetooth (to speed, cadence, heart rate, power, and other sensors or trainers)

• ANT +
  • An ANT+ sensor that has power and is awake.
• Bluetooth
  • A Bluetooth sensor that has power, is awake, and has an available connection. (Some have only one. Some have three. See Which Wahoo products offer Multiperipheral Bluetooth connections for confirmation.)

Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)

• An active data / internet connection for your phone
  • Cell data network in range OR
  • Wi-Fi network in range, saved, and authenticated on your phone / tablet

Wi-Fi (direct connection on ELEMNT computer)

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet) for setup / authentication
• a 2.4 Ghz network,
  • set to a channel 1-9
  • within range of the computer
  • that is authenticated via simple text password, not a secondary splash page
  • that does not have MAC address filtering/whitelisting enabled
    • In order to support privacy/safety, ELEMNT computers produce randomized MAC addresses upon restart
  • In the absence of a local Wi-Fi network, you may be able to use your phone to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. 
    • Note: In some cases, a second phone (not the one running the ELEMNT app) may be required to provide the Wi-Fi hotspot connection.

How to connect

Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on cell phone or tablet)

See the Pair an ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM to the ELEMNT companion app article.

ANT+ / Bluetooth (to speed, cadence, heart rate, and power sensors or trainers)

See the Pair sensors to ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM article.

Wi-Fi (direct connection to the ELEMNT computer)

See the Connect ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM to Wi-Fi article.

Connectivity requirements by ELEMNT Feature

CUSTOMIZE

Customize ELEMNT settings or page data fields

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To transmit the setting change to the ELEMNT computer

ALERTS / NOTIFICATIONS

Receive text, call, or email alert 

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To transmit the alert to the ELEMNT computer
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To receive the text, call, or email on your phone
    
    

COMPLETED RIDES

Sync a completed ride via the ELEMNT app

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To upload the file to the ELEMNT app
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To upload the file from the ELEMNT app to the Wahoo Cloud

Sync a completed ride via Wi-Fi direct from the ELEMNT computer

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet) 
  • To set up the direct Wi-Fi connection initially
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To set up the direct Wi-Fi connection initially
• Wi-Fi (direct connection on ELEMNT computer)
  • To upload the file to the Wahoo Cloud
    
    

FIRMWARE

Update firmware

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To set up the direct Wi-Fi connection initially
• Wi-Fi (direct connection on ELEMNT computer)
  • To transfer firmware files. Bluetooth cannot transfer such large files
    
    

LIVETRACK

Send LiveTrack location information

• GPS 
  • to identify your (computer's) location
• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To transmit the ride GPS data to the ELEMNT app
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To transmit the ride data to the Wahoo Cloud for remote access.
    
    

MAPS

Update maps

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To set up the direct Wi-Fi connection initially
  • To control which maps to add/remove in the ELEMNT app
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
• Wi-Fi (direct connection on ELEMNT computer)
  • To transfer map files. Bluetooth cannot transfer such large files.
    
    

PLANNED WORKOUTS

Sync a planned workout to an ELEMNT

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To sync the planned workout file to the ELEMNT
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To download the route files from the Wahoo Cloud/3rd party service

Sync multiple planned workouts to an ELEMNT

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To set up the direct Wi-Fi connection initially
• Wi-Fi (direct connection on ELEMNT computer)
  • To download multiple planned workout files. Bluetooth cannot transfer multiple files quickly.
    
    

ROUTES

Sync a single route to an ELEMNT computer

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To sync the route file to the ELEMNT
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To allow the ELEMNT app to process the route file.

Sync multiple / all routes to an ELEMNT computer

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To set up the direct Wi-Fi connection initially
• Wi-Fi (direct connection on ELEMNT computer)
  • To download multiple route files. Bluetooth cannot transfer multiple files quickly.

Share a route privately

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To sync the route file to the ELEMNT
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To allow the ELEMNT app to process the route file.

Share a route publicly

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To sync the route file to the ELEMNT
• Data / internet (via the ELEMNT app using phone/tablet cell or Wi-Fi connection)
  • To allow the ELEMNT app to process the route file.

Sync a route shared privately

• See Sync a single route to an ELEMNT computer

Sync a route shared publicly

• See Sync a single route to an ELEMNT computer

STRAVA SEGMENTS

Sync all selected Strava segments to an ELEMNT

• Bluetooth (to ELEMNT app on phone / tablet)
  • To set up the direct Wi-Fi connection initially
• Wi-Fi (direct connection on ELEMNT computer)
  • To download multiple segments. Bluetooth cannot transfer multiple files quickly.