Strava brings back Bluetooth HRM app support – with more sensors on the way

Strava has reinstated support for pairing Bluetooth heart rate monitors with its smartphone app.

The feature was culled last year, claiming that stability and app crashes were being caused by support for BLE pairing. But now after a beta period support is now back for free and premium tier subscribers.

The decision to can Bluetooth sensors from the app was particularly unpopular, especially among cyclists, especially when the company moved free features behind its subscription paywall.

But the company confirmed in a statement that “thanks to feedback and beta testing from the community, we’ve restored Bluetooth functionality in the app for heart rate monitors, while resolving prior issues that caused the app to crash.”

This means that Bluetooth chest straps from the likes of Wahoo, Garmin and Polar can now deliver data straight into tracked workouts in the Strava app.

To connect up a sensor just start an activity from the app, and choose the heart rate sensor option underneath the map. It will then scan for Bluetooth sensors in pairing mode.

But it doesn’t look like that will extend to ANT+ straps, although those can still be used via most Strava compatible sports watches. But Strava says it’s working on Bluetooth support for cadence and power meters next.

If you’re a Strava Subscription user you’ll then get extra data such as Relative Effort and Fitness Scores.

Strava also announced that it’s raised $110m in funding, which should help the company continue developing new features.