How to Use the Shimano E-Tube App
The Shimano E-Tube app lets you customize your e-bike’s motor behavior, update firmware, run diagnostics, and adjust assist levels — all from your smartphone. You connect via Bluetooth or a wired SM-PCE02 tool, then change settings like torque curves, power delivery profile, and display preferences. This guide walks you through the actual steps, common pitfalls, and how to confirm your changes actually stuck.
Quick answer
1. Install the correct app: E-Tube Ride for iOS/Android (rider settings) or E-Tube Project for Windows/Mac (deeper diagnostics).
2. Power on your e-bike and enable Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Open the app and tap Connect. If your bike has a Shimano STEPS motor without built‑in Bluetooth (E8000, E6000, or E7000), you’ll need a wireless unit (EW‑WU111) or a wired adapter (SM‑PCE02) to pair.
4. Once connected, go to Motor Settings to tweak assist profiles, maximum torque, or display units.
Stop‑and‑escalate threshold: If the app repeatedly fails to connect after three display reboots (hold the power button for 10 seconds), or if you see a persistent error code like E010 or E020, stop DIY troubleshooting and visit a Shimano dealer. Those codes often indicate a wiring fault or motor sensor issue that the app can’t fix.
What it means
Shimano’s E-Tube ecosystem started as a mechanic-only desktop program. The mobile version (E-Tube Ride) puts that capability in your hands. Instead of booking a shop visit for every small tweak, you can adjust how your e-bike’s motor responds to your pedaling — for example, softening power on loose gravel to reduce wheel spin, or dialing up torque for steep, slow climbs.
Key thing to understand: The app does not increase your bike’s top speed or change its legal classification (Class 1, 2, or 3). Those speed cutoffs are locked at the motor controller level. What you can change is the feel of the assist within those factory limits.
What you can actually change
- Assist characteristics – Three or four preset profiles (Eco, Trail, Boost) plus a custom profile where you set a power curve graph from 0–100% at different pedaling cadences.
- Maximum torque output – Some motors let you cap torque (e.g., from 85 Nm down to 50 Nm) to save battery or improve traction. Note: lowering torque can reduce acceleration from a stop.
- Display units – Switch between mph and km/h, or °F and °C.
- Button mapping – Reassign functions to the handlebar shift/switch buttons (e.g., switch between assist modes or scroll through display pages).
- Firmware updates – Keep the motor, battery, and display components up to date.
How it works
The app talks to your bike’s components through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or ANT+. Not all Shimano motors include built‑in BLE; older models require a separate wireless unit (EW‑WU111) or a wired connection using the SM‑PCE02 tool. Here’s how the connection sequence actually plays out, including a concrete success-check step.
Step-by-step connection
1. Download the right app
Use E-Tube Ride for mobile (iOS/Android) for rider-level adjustments. Use E-Tube Project on a PC only if you need dealer-level diagnostics, error log export, or firmware updates for components that the mobile app can’t reach.
2. Check compatibility
Your bike needs one of these Bluetooth-capable components:
- SC-E7000, SC-E8000, SC-E5000 display
- EW-WU111 or EW-WU101 wireless unit
- A motor with built-in BLE (e.g., EP800, EP6, EP8 series)
If you’re unsure, look up your motor model in the app’s help menu — it lists supported hardware.
3. Pair the device
- Turn on the e-bike.
- Open E-Tube Ride and tap Connect. The app scans for nearby Shimano systems.
- Select your bike from the list. If it doesn’t appear, reboot the display (hold power button 10 seconds, then release).
- Verification step: After pairing, the app should show a live battery percentage and a green dot next to the motor icon. If you see a gray dot or “No data,” the connection is unstable — move your phone within 3 feet of the display and close other Bluetooth apps.
4. Authenticate
Most rider settings are accessible without a PIN. If the app asks for a dealer code, you’re trying to access locked parameters (like wheel circumference or top speed). Do not attempt to bypass this — entering incorrect codes can lock the system.
Common settings in detail
Customizing assist profiles
In the app, go to Motor Settings → Assist Characteristics. You’ll see a graph with power percentage (0–100%) on the vertical axis and pedal cadence (RPM) on the horizontal. Drag the curve up to increase assist at a given cadence, or down to soften it.
Concrete example: For a road‑oriented feel, set the curve to 40% at 50 RPM, 60% at 70 RPM, and 80% at 90 RPM. For aggressive trail climbing, flatten the curve near 80% across all cadences. After making changes, tap Apply. Then ride for 30 seconds and check that the motor response matches the new curve — if it still feels identical, the change may not have saved. Reopen the assist screen to confirm your curve is displayed.
Adjusting maximum torque
If your motor supports torque capping (check the app’s Motor Info screen for a “Max Torque” dropdown), lowering the value from factory (e.g., 85 Nm to 55 Nm) can stretch battery range by 15–25% on sustained climbs. But you’ll notice slower pickup from a dead stop — trade-off worth testing on a familiar route before a long ride.
Firmware updates
A yellow or red dot next to a component in the app means an update is available. Updates typically improve throttle response, fix rare error codes, or optimize battery communication. Important: Charge your bike to at least 50% before updating — a power loss mid‑update can brick the motor (requires shop repair). After the update completes, the app will prompt you to restart the bike. Verification: On the reboot, go to System Info and check that the firmware version number matches the one shown in the update log.
Key facts or takeaways
- The app is free, no subscription required.
- You do not need a dealer account for rider‑adjustable settings. Stick to the user‑accessible menus.
- Failure mode to watch for: A common mistake is installing E-Tube Project (the PC version) on a phone — it will not install or will crash. Always use E-Tube Ride for mobile.
- Another frequent error: Changing the “Display Language” in the app and then losing the ability to navigate because the text becomes unreadable (e.g., Japanese). If that happens, hold the display’s mode button for 10 seconds to reset it back to English — this does not affect motor settings.
- Stop/escalate signal: If you see a red dot on the motor firmware update screen with a message like “Update failed — COM error,” do not retry more than twice. Repeated failed updates can corrupt the bootloader. Instead, note the error code and take the bike to a Shimano dealer with the error details.
- The PC version (E‑Tube Project) offers motor wear data and error log export — useful if a dealer requests a log for warranty claims.
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Ryan Williams has spent over 8 years testing, repairing, and writing about electric bikes. He has personally ridden and reviewed 150+ e-bike models from brands like Lectric, Aventon, Rad Power, Super73, and dozens more.
Before founding EBIKE Delight, Ryan worked as a bicycle mechanic for 5 years at independent bike shops across California, where he specialized in e-bike conversions and electrical system diagnostics. He holds a Certificate in Electric Vehicle Technology from the Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA).
Ryan’s work has been cited by Electric Bike Report, Electrek, and BikeRumor. When he is not testing the latest e-bike on California backroads, he is in his workshop tearing down batteries and controllers to understand what makes them tick — and what makes them fail.
Areas of Expertise
E-bike performance testing and real-world range verificationBattery diagnostics, charging best practices, and safetyBrand comparisons: Lectric, Aventon, Rad Power, Super73, and moreError code troubleshooting across major e-bike systemsE-bike laws, registration, and compliance by state
Ryan believes every rider deserves honest, hands-on information — not marketing hype.