Use Trimble Mobile Manager as a mock location provider with ArcGIS Field Maps (Android)

Summary

This article describes a temporary workaround to bypass connection issues when using an external Trimble GPS antenna with ArcGIS Field Maps on Android devices. Such connection issues include:

• Bug: Frequent context switching happens between ArcGIS Field Maps and Trimble Mobile Manager after having performed background GPS Averaging over a period of time
• Bug: Automatic background app switching on an iOS device while configuring Trimble R2 GNSS Receiver with the ArcGIS Field Maps mobile application

This workaround, recommended by Trimble Support, uses Android Mock Locations to pass high-accuracy GPS coordinates from Trimble Mobile Manager (TMM) to Field Maps through the device’s integrated location provider.

Cause

This approach may be useful when direct Trimble Mobile Manager integration with Field Maps is unavailable or unreliable due to device Android version or device manufacturer.

Procedure

1. Set Trimble Mobile Manager as the mock location provider. Refer to Trimble: Android location services for more information.
2. Configure the location provider in ArcGIS Field Maps.
   1. In ArcGIS Field Maps, tap your user icon at the top left of the screen to open the Profile screen.
   2. Under Location, tap Provider.
   3. Select Integrated. Do not select a Trimble provider.
3. On your Android device, launch Trimble Mobile Manager.
   1. Confirm connection to the external GNSS receiver.
   2. Verify that accurate coordinates are being reported.
4. Use Field Maps normally for data collection.

Field Maps receives location data via Android’s integrated location services, which are overridden by Trimble Mobile Manager injecting GNSS coordinates into the Android operating system using Mock Location. ArcGIS Field Maps then consumes this data as if it were coming from the device’s internal GPS.

Note:
Verify Mock Location settings after Android OS updates. 

This workflow should be treated as a temporary workaround. Contact Esri Technical Support for additional assistance.