Auto‑connect options
When auto-connect is enabled, the Trimble Access software automatically attempts to connect to the GNSS receiver or conventional instrument connected to the controller as soon as you start the software. For a list of supported instruments and receivers, see Supported equipment.
To configure auto‑connect options, do one of the following:
- Tap the auto‑connect icon in the status bar before you connect to a device.
- Tap
and select Settings / Connections / Auto‑connect.
When the software is attempting to connect to a device, the auto‑connect icon flashes and shows a different icon as the software attempts to connect to each configured device group. To speed up the automatic connection time, clear the check boxes in the Auto‑connect options screen to disable auto‑connect for devices you do not usually connect to.
If the auto‑connect icon displays multiple icons and a red x 
, then auto‑connect has been disabled for all device groups.
You do not have to wait for the software to auto-connect. To force the software to connect to the device connected to the controller at any time, select the survey style and start the survey.
If you are running the Trimble Access software on a supported third‑party Windows computer, and you want to connect to that computer's internal GPS receiver, select the appropriate COM port in the Internal GPS field.
Using auto-connect with an instrument
If you are connecting to the instrument using any connection method except a cable, you must configure the connection separately. To do this:
- In the Auto‑connect options screen, tap the softkey for your connection method.
- Tap and select Settings / Connections and select the menu item for your connection method.
If the PIN function is enabled in the Instrument settings screen, the Unlock instrument screen appears when connecting to a Trimble total station. Enter the PIN and then tap Accept.
When you use Instrument functions to disconnect from the total station, auto‑connect is temporarily disabled.
To re‑enable auto‑connect, tap the auto‑connect icon in the status bar. When auto‑connect has been temporarily disabled, a single tap re‑enables auto‑connect, and a second tap is required to display the Auto‑connect options screen.
To connect to a non‑Trimble instrument, you must force a connection by starting the survey. When using non‑Trimble instruments, disable auto‑connect. Some commands used by auto‑connect can interfere with the communication of non‑Trimble instruments.
Using auto-connect with a receiver
If you are connecting to the receiver using any connection method except a cable, you must configure the connection separately. To do this:
- In the Auto‑connect options screen, tap the softkey for your connection method.
- Tap and select Settings / Connections and select the menu item for your connection method.
If the software is configured for Rover mode or Base mode, the software attempts to auto‑connect to the receiver configured in the Bluetooth settings screen for the current mode.
- If the software is in Rover mode, it attempts to connect to the receiver configured in the Connect to GNSS rover field.
- If the software is in Base mode, it attempts to connect to the receiver configured in the Connect to GNSS base field.
To view or set the current mode, tap and select Receiver settings / GNSS functions.
If there is no receiver configured in the appropriate field in Bluetooth settings, then the software attempts to connect to a Trimble GNSS receiver on the serial port of the controller; and if a receiver is detected it assumes it is the receiver for the current mode.
