eBike Flow App Basic Settings for Tern Bikes
This article refers to version 1.36 of the eBike Flow app and Tern electric bikes equipped with the Bosch Smart System. For the latest updates, visit the Bosch Content Hub.
The eBike Flow App is a handy add-on digital command center of the Bosch Smart System on your Tern e-bike. This article explains the main features and how to set up the Bosch Smart System’s security settings through the app.
Contents
- What is the eBike Flow app?
- eBike Flow app main features
- How to install the Flow app and register your ebike
- How to connect your phone to your ebike
- How to use the eBike Lock
- Flow+ subscription
Features available through Flow+ subscription
What is the eBike Flow app?
The eBike Flow App is a smartphone app developed by Bosch and serves as the operations hub for Tern cargo e-bikes with the Bosch Smart System.
The Bosch Smart System streamlines hardware and software to create an advanced e-biking experience
Combined with the control unit, display, motor, and battery, the Flow App enhances your riding experience with customizable settings and security features. Some Tern bike models also have the ConnectModule to enable the eBike Alarm and location tracking in case of theft. This smart integration makes your ride smoother and gives you better control and safety.
The eBike Flow App is available to both Android and Apple users and allows you to download new features via over-the-air updates.
eBike Flow app main features
Apart from showing you essential information like average speed, battery charge, and mileage, the app keeps track of your activity and rides, and can also connect with third-party apps like Komoot, Strava, and Apple Health. You can explore the app’s functions across these four tabs: Home, Plan, Statistics, and Settings.
Home screen
The Flow app home screen shows the following:
- Your e bike’s battery charge
- The range of the assist level (riding modes) you’re in
- Custom assist level
- Total mileage and mileage per assist level
- My dealer: This leads to a map of your immediate vicinity and shows you the nearest Bosch ebike dealers—handy in case you need help.
Plan tab: Activity tracking and riding style
The Plan tab is the Flow app’s activity tracking hub, where you can plan out your route. The tab shows your riding time, distance covered, average speed, and average cadence during the ride, as well as elevation and descent. Here are the buttons’ functions:
- Magnifying glass: Tap it to search for destinations.
- Red button: Stops the activity tracking.
- Blue arrow: Centers your position.
- Terrain button: Leads to riding style and map options for more accurate navigation.
- Riding style: Choose from Leisure, Daily, and eMTB. Leisure shows paved roads, even terrain, and cycling networks. Daily shows “bike-friendly routes”, which are ideal for commuting. eMTB shows unpaved roads, more uneven terrain, and trails.
- Map options: Choose from eBike Heatmap (most frequently used routes), Satellite, MTB trails, and dark mode.
Flow App Plan tab: For planning your next trip
Statistics tab: Overview of all bike trips
The Statistics tab shows you an overview of all your recorded bike trips. You can tap on any trip to see more specific information about that trip, such as the riding time and distance.
Flow App Statistics tab: For viewing previous trips
Settings tab: Modify your ebike’s data and performance
The Settings tab is where you can modify various important functions regarding your e-bike, profile, contact with Bosch, and legal information. This includes customizing your riding mode and viewing your Digital Service Book (a list of your bike’s service records).
Flow App Settings tab
Other handy features
Use your smartphone as your ebike display
You could also use your smartphone as your e bike display instead of the Kiox 300 or Intuvia 100. All you need is the Flow app and a smartphone holder.
To keep your phone securely in place, Bosch offers the SmartphoneGrip, which you’ll need to attach to your handlebar. A big plus of the SmartphoneGrip is that it can charge your phone while you're riding, allowing you to keep your phone's battery topped up.
Having the SmartphoneGrip makes it easier when you enter the Ride Screen. The Ride Screen is a horizontal full screen, which gives you a larger picture of your navigation route, your average speed, and many other data. You can get to the Ride Screen via the Plan tab. Note that the SmartphoneGrip is sold separately.
Display configuration (only for Kiox 300)
If you have a Kiox 300 display, you can configure its layout according to your preferences. This function helps you show the data that matters most to you more prominently. You can get here via the Settings tab.
You can change your Kiox 300 display’s layout anytime
How to install the Flow app and register your ebike
Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to download the Flow app. Once the app is downloaded, tap Get Started. Then, follow these steps to sign up for a Bosch account or log in, and register your Tern e-bike with Bosch.
eBike Flow App welcome page: This is where your app setup starts
Step 1: Create your account
To create your account, follow the steps in the app. You will be asked to log in with your SingleKey ID. Since April 2023, Bosch has used SingleKey as a platform for customers to access their Bosch account, but you can still log in with your Bosch ID credentials.
Step 2: Set up your profile and link your eBike to your account
Once you’ve entered your credentials, type in your first name. The system will use your name as your e-bike’s name.
Step 3: Connect your eBike
If the sign-in or sign-up is successful, you should now be on the app’s home screen. Tap Connect eBike to connect your phone to your bike.
Once the above process is complete, it’s time to connect the Flow app to your bike.
How to connect your phone to your ebike
After creating your account, setting up your profile and linking your e-bike to your account, make sure that your phone’s Bluetooth function is still on. Then, go to Settings in the lower right corner of the app home screen and follow these steps:
- Tap Connect eBike.
- Select your bike's control unit.
- Ensure that you’re standing right by the bike. Tap Continue.
- Press and hold the on/off button on the control unit until it starts blinking.
- The control unit and your phone will try to connect. This should take a quick moment.
- Upon connection, you will see a screen that says “That worked like a charm!”, and you’re set!
How to use the eBike Lock
eBike Lock is a standard security feature on all Tern bikes with the Bosch Smart System. Once enabled, it prevents the motor from providing assistance until the bike is unlocked.
How to lock your bike
To use the eBike Lock, you must manually enable it after pairing your phone with your bike. This is how it works:
- Ensure that your Bluetooth is still on.
- In the app, go to Settings in the lower right corner. Then, tap eBike Lock.
- Toggle the eBike Lock button to the right. The eBike Lock is now activated.
The eBike Lock stays on until you choose to deactivate it. There is no need to manually switch on the eBike Lock for each bike ride. Once eBike Lock is enabled, you can lock your bike by switching off the motor. The bike will remain locked until you unlock it by having your smartphone nearby. If your bike has a Kiox 300 display, you can also lock your bike by removing the display from the bike.
Note: On bikes without the ConnectModule (GPS tracker), the feature is displayed as 'eBike Lock.' On bikes with the ConnectModule, it appears as 'eBike Lock & Alarm,' since the ConnectModule adds an alarm function.
Tern e cargo bikes with the Kiox 300 display can be unlocked with either the display or your smartphone
How to unlock your bike
For Tern ebikes with the Smart System, simply having your smartphone nearby with Bluetooth enabled and the Flow app running will automatically unlock your bike when you switch it on.
If your bike has a Kiox 300 display, you can also unlock it by placing the display back on the screen mount.
Flow+ subscription
Flow+ is a subscription service that gives you access to features like the eBike Alarm, your ebike battery’s current charge level, extended navigation, and additional statistics. Note that if your ebike doesn't have the ConnectModule, you'll only be able to use the navigation and statistics features.
Flow+ subscription sign-up page
If your bike has a ConnectModule, you'll automatically start a free 12-month trial of Flow+ when you first activate the eBike Lock and Alarm. If your bike does not have a ConnectModule, then this trial period is 1 month.
After the trial period, Flow+ will automatically renew to a paid subscription, and you can choose to be billed monthly or yearly. The cost of the subscription varies per country. You can cancel your Flow+ subscription at any time, as long as you do so at least 24 hours before the next billing cycle.
For more details, visit the Bosch website or the Flow App Help Center.
Features available through Flow+ subscription
eBike Alarm and GPS Tracking
The eBike Alarm and GPS Tracking are only available with the Flow+ subscription and the Bosch ConnectModule. This function helps you keep an eye on your bike’s whereabouts at all times.
You have to manually enable the eBike Lock & Alarm function to use the eBike Alarm. You can do this after pairing your phone with your bike. To do this, go to Settings in the lower right corner. Then:
- Tap Lock & Alarm.
- On the next screen, toggle the eBike Lock & Alarm button to the right. The eBike Lock and Alarm are now activated.
Left: eBike Alarm alert, showing your ebike’s location
Right: Theft report
When the eBike Lock & Alarm function is activated, and the bike registers a sudden movement, two beeps will sound, and the LED Remote will blink.
If someone rides off with your bike, the acoustic signal becomes louder, and you’ll receive a notification on your phone. On the Flow app, you’ll be able to track the bike’s movement and location, as well as report it as stolen to Bosch. You can then create a theft report based on the data of your eBike Pass and add a live tracking link.
The eBike Pass is your digital proof of ownership and is linked to your Bosch account. It stores essential bike details like the frame number and system components, helping you to verify ownership in case of theft or resale.
Report as Stolen
If your Tern bike or battery is stolen, you can mark it as stolen in the eBike Flow app. This digitally links it to you and makes it more difficult to register, resell, or service, helping deter theft and improve the chances of recovery.
- In the Flow app, go to Settings in the top right corner.
- Tap Mark eBike as Stolen.
- Tap Mark as stolen. Your screen should then show Successfully marked.
- Next, tap Create theft report.
- Add details such as the time and location of the theft, a description of the event, and your personal data. Once done, tap Share theft report.
If someone takes the bike to a dealer for service, the dealer will see that it has been marked as stolen. If you recover your bike:
- Connect your phone to your bike again, and ensure you’re logged in with the account you used to report your bike.
- Tap Hold to unlock.
- Then, tap Remove stolen marker.
Check out the video: How to mark your eBike as stolen in eBike Flow app
Battery Lock
Battery Lock is a Flow+ feature that digitally links your battery to your Tern bike. Once enabled, the battery will only work with your bike. If it is stolen and installed on another Bosch Smart System e-bike, the motor will not provide assistance, making the battery much less useful to thieves. There are two ways to activate Battery Lock on your Flow app:
Option 1
- On the Flow app home screen, select eBike Lock.
- Tap Enable eBike Lock.
- Choose the battery or batteries you want to lock.
- Wait a few seconds until you see “You’re all set!”, which confirms the Battery Lock activation.
Option 2
- Go to Settings in the top right corner.
- Tap Lock and Alarm.
- Select the battery or batteries you’d like to lock.
- Wait a few seconds while the screen shows “Enabling”. All done!
Battery Lock can also be activated when you turn off your bike, remove your display (only for the Kiox 300), or remove the battery.
More on this: How to activate and use Battery Lock
Share Your eBike
You can also share your bike with other users. While they can unlock and ride the bike, only the main user can change settings, invite others, or receive over-the-air updates.
Instructions for the main user
- Open Settings in the top right corner.
- Tap Share eBike.
- Select Create invite and share the link via email, AirDrop, or your preferred channel.
Instructions for the secondary user
- Accept the invitation in the Flow app.
- Connect the ebike to your account as described here.
- The ebike will appear in the list of your connected bikes.
The main user can revoke access at any time. To do this, go to Settings > Share eBike > tap the trash can icon.
See how it works: How to share your eBike with others
FAQ
- Do I need the eBike Flow app to operate my ebike's display?
No, you do not need the Flow app to operate the display. You can only operate the displays with your bike's control unit.
- If my phone runs out of battery after locking my bike, how do I unlock the eBike Lock?
- Best option: Charge your phone. Once you have sufficient charge, open the Flow app to unlock your bike.
- Alternative option: Another option to unlock your bike is to use another phone to log into your Bosch account. Your bike is paired to your account, not to your phone.