How to Restore Accidentally Deleted Rides from Your Wahoo ELEMNT Bike Computer (BOLT, ROAM, etc.)

These instructions outline a method to potentially recover .fit ride files from your Wahoo ELEMNT device using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tools. This can be helpful if a ride was accidentally deleted from the device and didn’t sync to the ELEMNT app or other connected services.

Important Notes Before You Begin:

• Keep your Wahoo device turned ON: After accidentally deleting a ride, avoid turning off your device if possible. Some users suggest this might improve the chances of recovery, though it’s not definitively proven.
• USB Data Cable: Crucially, use a USB cable that supports data transfer. Many charging cables do not support data transfer and will not work for this process.
• Success Not Guaranteed: While this method has been successful for some users, recovery is not guaranteed. The likelihood of success can decrease if the device has been used extensively or powered off multiple times after the deletion.

Steps:

1. Download and Install Android SDK Platform Tools:
   • Search for “Android SDK Platform Tools” on your preferred search engine. You are looking for the official download page on the Android Developer website.
   • Download the SDK Platform Tools package for your computer’s operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).
   • Extract the downloaded ZIP file to an easily accessible folder on your computer (e.g., your Desktop or a folder named “ADB_Tools”).
     
2. Enable ADB/Debugging Mode on Your Wahoo Device:
   • The exact method to enable ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or a similar developer/USB debugging mode can differ slightly based on your Wahoo ELEMNT model.
     • For some ELEMNT models (like BOLT v1, original ROAM): With the device turned on and not connected to USB, try pressing the power button to enter the settings menu, then press the power button again to return to the normal screen. This sequence might put the device into a state where ADB can connect.
     • For newer models (like BOLT v2, ROAM v2): A common method reported is to press the power, up, and down buttons simultaneously while the device is on and not connected to USB. Some users note needing to press this combination twice.
     • Another reported method for some devices is to press the power button twice.
   • After performing the button sequence, connect your Wahoo device to your computer using the USB data cable.
     
3. Verify Device Connection with ADB:
   • Open a command-line interface:
     • Windows: Command Prompt or PowerShell.
     • Mac/Linux: Terminal.
   • Navigate to the directory where you extracted the Android SDK Platform Tools. For example, if you named the folder “ADB_Tools” and placed it on your Desktop:
     • cd Desktop/ADB_Tools (Mac/Linux)
     • cd Desktop\ADB_Tools (Windows – adapt if you used a different folder name like “platform-tools”).
   • Execute the following command to list connected ADB devices:
     • ./adb devices (Mac/Linux)
     • .\adb devices (Windows)
   • You should see your Wahoo device listed, typically with a serial number followed by “device”. If it says “unauthorized,” check your Wahoo device’s screen for a prompt asking to allow USB debugging from your computer and accept it. If no device appears, double-check the ADB enablement steps for your specific model, try a different USB data cable, or restart both your computer and Wahoo device.
     
4. Locate and Copy Ride Files:
   • Ride activity files (.fit files) are usually stored in the /data/media/0/exports directory on the Wahoo device.
   • To view a list of files in this directory (useful to check if your deleted ride’s .fit file might still be present by date), you can run:
     • ./adb shell ls -l /data/media/0/exports (Mac/Linux)
     • .\adb shell ls -l /data/media/0/exports (Windows)
   • To copy the entire exports folder (which should contain all ride files, including potentially the deleted one) to a new folder on your computer (e.g., “wahoo_exports” on your Desktop), use the adb pull command. The basic syntax is adb pull [device_path] [local_destination_path].
     • Mac/Linux Example (saves to a “wahoo_exports” folder on your Desktop):
       ./adb pull /data/media/0/exports ~/Desktop/wahoo_exports
     • Windows Example (saves to a “wahoo_exports” subfolder inside your current platform-tools directory):
       .\adb pull /data/media/0/exports ./wahoo_exports
     • Windows Example (saves to a “wahoo_exports” folder on your Desktop – adapt “YourUsername”):
       .\adb pull /data/media/0/exports C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\wahoo_exports
       
5. Find Your Deleted Ride:
   • Open the “wahoo_exports” folder (or your chosen destination) on your computer.
   • Look for .fit files. Sort them by date and time to locate the file corresponding to your accidentally deleted ride.
     
6. Sync or Upload the Recovered Ride File:
   
   • Option 1: Sync via ELEMNT Companion App:
     • The Wahoo ELEMNT companion app allows for manual import of .fit files on your phone.
     • Transfer the recovered .fit file from your computer to your phone (e.g., via email, cloud storage like Google Drive/Dropbox, or direct cable transfer).
     • In the ELEMNT app, navigate to the History tab and look for an option to add (+) or upload an activity. Select the .fit file from your phone’s storage.
     • The original author of a similar guide mentioned successfully AirDropping the file to the ELEMNT app on an iPhone.
       
   • Option 2: Manual Upload to Third-Party Platforms:
     • Most fitness platforms allow you to manually upload .fit files directly through
       
   • Option 3: Accessing Files via MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) – Alternative for Non-Deleted Files:
     • Wahoo ELEMNT devices typically support MTP for file transfer when connected via USB.
     • Windows: The device should appear in Windows Explorer, allowing you to browse folders like a USB drive. Workout files are in the “exports” folder.
     • Mac: macOS requires an MTP client application to access MTP devices. “Android File Transfer” was a common tool, but its support might be limited on newer macOS versions. Alternatives like OpenMTP or MacDroid may be necessary.
     • Note: MTP is generally for accessing files that are normally visible on the device, not for recovering files that have been marked as deleted by the system. It’s less likely to show truly deleted files compared to the ADB method but can be an alternative for general file access.

Troubleshooting:

• adb devices shows “unauthorized”: Check the Wahoo device screen for a pop-up asking for USB debugging authorization. You must grant this permission.
  
• ADB device not showing up:
  • Re-verify the ADB/developer mode enablement steps for your specific Wahoo model.
  • Ensure you are using a USB data cable.
  • Try a different USB port on your computer.
  • Restart your Wahoo device and your computer.
  • Ensure no other programs are conflicting with ADB (e.g., some Garmin software, other phone syncing tools).
    
• adb pull errors (e.g., “file not found,” “permission denied”):
  • Double-check the file path: /data/media/0/exports.
  • Ensure ADB mode is properly enabled.
  • If the file truly isn’t there, it may be permanently deleted and unrecoverable through this method.

This refined guide provides more detailed steps and context for recovering your Wahoo ride data. Good luck!