Android users — the wait is over! Today, we’re proud to introduce the TrainerRoad for Android™ beta app.
Current Android Beta Features
- Complete power-based workouts from your Android device.
- Train without a power meter with VirtualPower®.
- Control your smart trainer with PowerMatch.
- Connect your training devices via Bluetooth Smart and ANT+.
What’s Next?
We’ll be adding core training features — like the ability to find and follow a training plan and filter workouts by power zone, duration and intensity — to the beta as quickly as possible. Support for Kinetic Smart Control is also currently under development.
Compatible Devices
Android beta supports the most popular flagship Android phones and tablets running Android 5 Lollipop and higher. It also supports cycling devices (power meters, smart trainers, speed/cadence sensors, heart-rate monitors) with Bluetooth Smart, ANT+ and ANT+ FE-C.
Please note: TrainerRoad will not be adding support for the ANT PowerBeam Pro as it uses a proprietary ANT communication protocol that differs from ANT+.
How TrainerRoad Works with Android
You can use the Android beta via Bluetooth Smart, ANT+ and ANT+ FE-C. Some Android devices are ANT+ compatible on their own, but you may need to install ANT plugins from the Google Play store before they’re ready to use.
Other devices may require an ANT+ dongle. Fortunately, some of these devices work with existing ANT+ USB dongles from your computer and an additional USB-C or phone-specific USB adapter.
It’s important to note: Given the various ways the Android beta communicates via ANT+, some devices may have stronger ANT+ signals than others. If you’re having difficulty using a native ANT+ device, you may need an adapter to train normally. Contact our support team if you run into an issue like this.
Get the Android Beta!
Download the beta to start training on your Android device.
As with every beta app, the Android beta is not a final product so if you run into an issue, please send us a message at support@trainerroad.com. Hearing your thoughts and experiences with the beta is how we’re going to make the official TrainerRoad Android app great!
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Hmm, so we wait ages for the app only to find it is only compatible with newer Android operating systems, ruling out 70% of Android users on older systems. I use Kit Kat, the second highest user base on Android. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_version_history
But isn’t this how software works?
If you can’t upgrade the OS of the phone, I would grab on of the cheaper android tablets ($50-80) and use that for TR.
We feel your pain. It was 100% a technical restraint for Android 5.x+. The earlier versions of Android had spotty Bluetooth Smart support along with some very challenging UI layer performance problems. You CAN use USB ANT sticks with our app though :).
Along the lines of what @joe said, you can try the Samsung Tab E. I’ve seen it around $120 online which could make for a pretty sweet Netflix/TR machine.
Are you sure that Samsung Galxy Tab E is ant+ enabled ?
I checked samsung’s site and it says Ant+ : No.
My bad — the Tab E isn’t already enabled but it is compatible via Bluetooth Smart :). Good catch!
70% of Android users are on 3+ year old operating systems?!?! What a mess.
It’s not that bad: it’s estimated at 55% according to the posted link. And considering the range of handsets it is running on, that’s pretty remarkable.
Thanks TR, amazing app.
When will video capability be in the Android app? I own several Sufferfest videos.
Hey Chad! We’re working on bringing core features like training plans and workout filters to the mobile app right now. Not sure on the ETA as of now but it’s something we want to do!
As you may already know, you can do workouts video workouts on both our PC and Mac apps in the meantime!
Hi Nick, any outlook on Sufferfest video integration on Android? Christmas is coming 😉
Hey Jon! We’re still trying to figure out how to best implement video integration into mobile. Our earlier Dropbox solution turns out to give some people some hassle, so we’re doing our best to find a consistent alternative. Stay tuned!
Cheers!
My powerbeam pro is not pairing up correctly with trainerroad and reading the line above that
” trainerRoad will not be adding support for the ANT PowerBeam Pro as it uses a proprietary ANT communication protocol that differs from ANT+” – what does that mean for me, i can’t use the powerbeam pro at all. Ive contacted Customer support and tried everything. I just took an FTP test with the powerbeam pro unplugged registered as a fluid 2 trainer. Is this the only way i would be able to use the powerbeam pro with trainerroad?
Hey Juan, sorry for the troubles! You’re correct in that you can’t use the PowerBeam Pro on the new Android app. It look’s like you an Austin were able to get to the bottom of things and get your PBP working on our ‘legacy app’ — sweet! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you run into any future issues.
Cheers!
I am using Android app for second week with success. Everything works flawlessly! Big thanks for releasing this app, it makes my setup much simple without all that extension cords, stand for laptop, and laptop itself.
One thing I noticed today I think is worth of sharing. It is related to smartphone itself. During last interval all from the sudden none of devices was paired to TR. I tried to unplugged ANT+ stick from OTG cable and my sensors (speed/cadence sensor & HR) started to work again for a few seconds, and then I lost them again.
Finally I found problem was that my phone battery dropped to 15% what is threshold to activate energy saving mode, which obviously cuts out all “unnecessary” function of phone in favor to extend battery life for calls and maybe SMS. I use LG G4 smartphone. Unfortunately there is no option in phone to turn off that option, it can be only turn on immediately, at 5% or 15%.
The bottom line is (and note to myself), charge your phone before workout! 🙂
Glad you’re diggin’ the Android app, my friend!
And thanks for passing along this info to us! We’ll definitely keep it in our back pockets in case another user runs into this. 🙂
Happy training!
Well, all works fine ) so we wayting for training plan folow feauture!
Thank you thank you! My wife is soooo happy to have this for android. We have a really old computer that we have hooked up to a tv but it freezes often, which is a major pain in the middle of a ride. Since the android app came along, she has been much more motivated to ride. In fact she chose to not renew her year membership, then saw the android app and turned it back on. Great job!
What mobile phone mount are you using there?
I found it 🙂 https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/custom-phone-mount/