Home › Diagnosis › Cowboy e-bike reset: app reset, bike restart with the battery, factory reset and ownership transfer
Cowboy reset: battery restart first, factory reset last
ResetsCowboy
Cowboy (C1 to C4, Cruiser, Cross) bikes are unlocked and configured through the Cowboy app, with a removable battery that doubles as the only real power switch. Most 'the bike won't unlock' cases are the phone or the app; the bike itself rarely needs more than a battery restart.
Warning: A Cowboy factory reset unpairs the bike from your account and wipes ride settings and the theft-detection setup. Only do it with a working Cowboy account, next to the bike, on Wi-Fi. If the bike still belongs to a previous owner's account, a reset will not release it; only a transfer or Cowboy support can. Cowboy has gone through financial restructuring; check that the app and servers are live before you rely on a reset that needs them.
What you need
- Cowboy app logged in, bike in your account
- Battery above 20%, or the charger to hand
- Bike frame number and proof of purchase for support requests
Step by step
1. App reconnect
Force-close the Cowboy app, toggle Bluetooth, reopen the app next to the bike. If it hangs on 'connecting', log out and in again. Check the app has Bluetooth and location permission.
If OK: Bike unlocks and shows battery and stats.
If not: Still not connecting: restart the phone, then restart the bike.
Force-close the Cowboy app, toggle Bluetooth, reopen the app next to the bike. If it hangs on 'connecting', log out and in again. Check the app has Bluetooth and location permission.
If OK: Bike unlocks and shows battery and stats.
If not: Still not connecting: restart the phone, then restart the bike.
2. Bike restart via the battery
Remove the battery (C1–C3: rear rack pack; C4/Cruiser/Cross: unlock and lift out of the down tube). Wait 30 seconds. Refit until it clicks. The bike's computer reboots and reconnects to the mobile network and to your phone.
If OK: Bike back online, app connects, error gone.
If not: Still offline: check the battery's own charge LED; a completely flat battery cannot boot the bike. Charge 30 minutes and retry.
Remove the battery (C1–C3: rear rack pack; C4/Cruiser/Cross: unlock and lift out of the down tube). Wait 30 seconds. Refit until it clicks. The bike's computer reboots and reconnects to the mobile network and to your phone.
If OK: Bike back online, app connects, error gone.
If not: Still offline: check the battery's own charge LED; a completely flat battery cannot boot the bike. Charge 30 minutes and retry.
3. Charger power cycle
With the battery in, plug the charger in for 2 minutes and unplug it. This wakes a bike that has gone to deep sleep after weeks unused.
If OK: Bike wakes up.
If not: No reaction: battery or bike electronics. Book Cowboy service or a certified workshop.
With the battery in, plug the charger in for 2 minutes and unplug it. This wakes a bike that has gone to deep sleep after weeks unused.
If OK: Bike wakes up.
If not: No reaction: battery or bike electronics. Book Cowboy service or a certified workshop.
4. App settings reset
Cowboy app › Settings › reset individual settings: assist mode, auto-unlock, lights, theft detection. Toggle auto-unlock off and on to clear a stuck unlock state.
If OK: Behaviour stock again.
If not: Unchanged: not a setting.
Cowboy app › Settings › reset individual settings: assist mode, auto-unlock, lights, theft detection. Toggle auto-unlock off and on to clear a stuck unlock state.
If OK: Behaviour stock again.
If not: Unchanged: not a setting.
5. Factory reset via the app
Only with a working account. Cowboy app › Settings › Bike › 'Reset bike' / 'Factory reset' › confirm. The bike restarts and unpairs. Then add it again in the app (bike on, next to the phone) and let it download its settings.
If OK: Re-paired; a stuck pairing or corrupt settings are gone.
If not: Re-pairing fails: the bike waits for a pairing. Cowboy support with the frame number. Do not try more resets.
Only with a working account. Cowboy app › Settings › Bike › 'Reset bike' / 'Factory reset' › confirm. The bike restarts and unpairs. Then add it again in the app (bike on, next to the phone) and let it download its settings.
If OK: Re-paired; a stuck pairing or corrupt settings are gone.
If not: Re-pairing fails: the bike waits for a pairing. Cowboy support with the frame number. Do not try more resets.
6. Ownership transfer
Seller: Cowboy app › Settings › Bike › 'Transfer ownership' › buyer's email; buyer accepts in their app. Until that is done the buyer cannot unlock the bike with their own phone. Cowboy support can transfer with proof of purchase if the seller is gone, but that takes time.
If OK: Bike in the buyer's account and unlocking.
If not: Seller unreachable: Cowboy support with receipt and frame number. Meanwhile the bike unlocks only from the seller's phone.
Seller: Cowboy app › Settings › Bike › 'Transfer ownership' › buyer's email; buyer accepts in their app. Until that is done the buyer cannot unlock the bike with their own phone. Cowboy support can transfer with proof of purchase if the seller is gone, but that takes time.
If OK: Bike in the buyer's account and unlocking.
If not: Seller unreachable: Cowboy support with receipt and frame number. Meanwhile the bike unlocks only from the seller's phone.
7. Cowboy service / support
Errors shown in the app (motor, battery, connectivity) are diagnosed remotely by Cowboy support from the bike's own logs; they can push a firmware update or book a mobile mechanic / partner workshop. There is no dealer diagnostic tool you can borrow.
If OK: Remote diagnosis and fix.
If not: Support slow or unavailable: independent workshops can replace batteries, motors and brakes but cannot access Cowboy's software.
Errors shown in the app (motor, battery, connectivity) are diagnosed remotely by Cowboy support from the bike's own logs; they can push a firmware update or book a mobile mechanic / partner workshop. There is no dealer diagnostic tool you can borrow.
If OK: Remote diagnosis and fix.
If not: Support slow or unavailable: independent workshops can replace batteries, motors and brakes but cannot access Cowboy's software.
What you now know for sure
- Phone / app: Bike fine, app not connecting. → Reconnect, relogin, restart phone.
- Bike computer hang / deep sleep: Cured by battery out or charger. → Nothing more.
- Settings: Cured by app settings reset. → Done.
- Ownership: Bike in another account. → Transfer by seller, else Cowboy support with proof.
- Hardware: App keeps reporting a motor/battery error. → Cowboy support / workshop; a reset will not clear it.
Frequently asked
How do I restart a Cowboy bike?
Take the battery out for 30 seconds and put it back. That is the power switch. On a bike unused for weeks, also plug the charger in for a couple of minutes.
Does a Cowboy factory reset delete the odometer?
The total distance is stored in Cowboy's cloud against the bike, so it survives a reset. Ride history in your account may be lost if the bike is transferred.
I bought a used Cowboy and cannot unlock it. Reset?
No. It is still tied to the seller's account. The seller must transfer it in their app; otherwise contact Cowboy support with a receipt and the frame number.
Still stuck? Take a photo of the display and show it to a local e-bike workshop. Bring the bike's system name (e.g. Bosch Performance Line CX) and the exact code; that saves diagnostic time and money.