Transferring files to and from the controller

Trimble Access supports the following methods for transferring files between your controller and the cloud, your organization's network, an office computer or between controllers.

All data used by the Trimble Access software must be stored in the appropriate folder in the Trimble Data folder. See Data folders and files.

Downloading data from and uploading data to the cloud is the simplest method of transferring data to and from the device. When you are signed in to Trimble Connect, projects and jobs that reside in the Trimble Connect cloud collaboration platform and assigned to you appear automatically in the Projects and Jobs screens of the Trimble Access software.

To sign in to Trimble Connect, you must have configured an internet connection.

Use the Trimble Access software to download projects and jobs to the controller and then upload changes to the cloud. See Projects & jobs.

You can configure an internet connection to your organization's computer network and then log in to the network to view files and folders on the network.

If you are transferring job files, you can use the Copy job function in Trimble Access to transfer the job between the controller and a folder on the network. See To copy job files.

If you are transferring project files:

  • Use File Explorer to copy files to and from the controller. To open File Explorer from the Trimble Access software, tap and select Job data / File Explorer.

  • Use the Trimble Access file browser which appears when performing software functions that enable you to select files or folders, for example when exporting the job. .To view available network drives, tap This controller in the Trimble Access file browser and then select the drive. See Selecting files and folders.

You can use a USB drive to transfer files from one computer to another. A USB drive, also called a flash drive or USB stick, plugs into the USB port of the controller.

For Android controllers, USB drives should be formatted to the FAT32 format. When you insert a USB drive into a TCU5 controller, it can take up to 30 seconds for the USB drive to appear in the list of storage locations.

If you are transferring job files, you can use the Copy job function in Trimble Access to transfer the job between the USB drive and the project folder. See To copy job files.

If you are transferring project files, use File Explorer to copy files to and from the USB drive. To open File Explorer from the Trimble Access software, tap and select Job data / File Explorer.

If the Trimble controller is running Android, you can transfer files between the controller and a Windows computer.

  1. To ensure the latest changes in the job are transferred, close the job in Trimble Access. To do this, close the Trimble Access software or open a different job.

  2. To put the controller into file sharing mode:

    • If the controller is a TCU5, use the Hirose-to-USB (PC) cable. The controller automatically enters file sharing mode when the cable is connected.
    • For any other controller running Android, use a USB cable. To put the controller into file sharing mode, connect the cable and tap the USB charging this device notification on the Android device (you may need to swipe down from the notifications area at the top of the screen to see it). When you tap the notification, the [Use USB to] pop-up screen appears. Tap the [Transfer files] option.
  3. To put the controller into file sharing mode, connect the cable and tap the USB charging this device notification on the controller (you may need to swipe down from the notifications area at the top of the screen to see it). When you tap the notification, the [Use USB to] pop-up screen appears. Tap the [Transfer files] option.

  4. Once the controller is in file sharing mode, use File Explorer on the Windows computer to copy files to and from the controller.

    If you cannot see the Trimble Data folder, in File Explorer tap and select [Show internal storage]. In File Explorer tap and select the device name. The Trimble Data folder appears in the list of folders on the device.

    If the folders in the Trimble Data folder do not appear as expected in File Explorer, restart the controller.