Deploying projects to Android devices - TracerPlus 8 and up

Below are the five methods currently supported for deploying your TracerPlus Desktop projects to Android OS devices.

Method 1: WIFI/QR Code deployment

This method supports most android devices and requires your device & PC to be on the same network.

 From the Select Platform drop-down, choose the Android option.

1. Open your TracerPlus Desktop project and click the Build/Deploy option.
2. Under the Android Connection Options, select Use Deploy Server to open the QR code window.
3. Open TracerPlus on your device and select the Menu Bar.
4. On the Menu Bar, select Download Project.
5. From the Connect to Web Server window, click the Scan QR Code option.
   1. Zebra and CipherLab devices equipped with a 1D/2D scanner can scan the barcode with this scanner.
   2. All other devices can select Use Camera from the Scan QR Code Window,.
6. Use the camera or barcode scanner to scan the QR code on your PC and wait for the download Successful message.
7. Alternatively, if your device does not have a camera or built-in scanner, you can key in the IP Address: Port  (IE: http://192.168.1.105:4409) to the Address field, then click the Refresh icon next to the Project Drop Down. Select the Project and click the Download button.
8. You should now see your TracerPlus application as designed in TracerPlus Desktop.

Method 2: MTP (Media Transfer Protocol)

This method supports most Android devices and is the preferred method of deployment.

1. Connect your Android device to your PC via the supplied USB cable.
2. For most devices you will be required to switch from USB Charging to Transfer Files.
   1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the notifications.
   2. Click on the USB Charging option and tap for more options.
   3. Change to Transfer Files
3. Open your TracerPlus Desktop project and click the Build\Deploy option.
4. From the Select Platform drop-down choose the Android option.
5. Under the Android Connection Options, select Use Portable Device (MTP).
6. Choose your device from the Drop Down.
7. Click the Deploy option and the project will be deployed to your Android device.
8. Launch TracerPlus and you should now see your TracerPlus application as designed in TracerPlus Desktop.

Method 3: Connecting as a USB storage device

This method supports most of the older Android devices however there are some that do not support it. See the steps below for connecting via the USB Storage Device method.

1. Connect your Android device to your PC via the supplied USB cable.
2. You may be prompted on your device immediately to select how you want to connect the device. If you are not prompted, you can access the connection method by sliding down the notification bar and clicking the USB connection type option. How this looks will vary based on the Android OS version.
3. On some devices, your only option will be to Turn on USB Storage. Others will have multiple options available such as Disk Drive (Mount as disk drive).
4. Click this option and you should now see your Android device shown on your PC as a lettered drive.
5. Open your TracerPlus Desktop project and click the Build\Deploy option.
6. From the Select Platform drop-down choose the Android option.
7. Under the Android Connection Options it should default to the correct option if the connection is recognized by TracerPlus Desktop. This should be the Use Mapped Drive option and will also show the drive letter that the Android device connected to your PC.
8. Click the Deploy option and the project will be deployed to your Android device.
9. Before opening TracerPlus on your Android device, make sure you turn off USB storage or disconnect the device from USB. This method puts the SD card in a different state that does not allow programs to run properly if not turned off.
10. Launch TracerPlus and you should now see your TracerPlus application as designed in TracerPlus Desktop.

Method 4: Connecting using Android Debug Bridge

This method requires no user interaction on the device when connected although it does require that the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) server is running on your PC. Click Here to download the Android Debug Bridge server. We have found that this only works on a limited number of Android devices so it may not work with your device. Follow the instructions below to start the ADB server followed by instructions on deploying your TracerPlus Desktop project.

After downloading the ADB server software above, you will need to do the following:

1. Unzip the contents of the download. There will be 3 files (adb.exe, AdbWinApi.dll, AdbWinUsbApi.dll).
2. Copy these 3 files to the root of your C:\ drive on your PC.
3. Open a command prompt window by clicking Start and then type cmd in the search box followed by the Enter key (Windows 7).
4. The directory will most likely default to your user folder. This needs to be changed to C:\. To do so type cd\ followed by the Enter key. The prompt should now show as C:\.
5. Type the command ADB start-server and you will see the server start. To verify it is running you can open your Windows task manager and look for a process named adb.exe.
6. You may now proceed to deploying your project below.

Deploying your TracerPlus Desktop Project:

1. On your Android device, you will need to turn on USB Debugging. How this is enabled will vary based on the Android OS version.
2. This option is located under Developer Options or Development in the settings of your Android device. This option may be at the root of your device settings or under the Applications area.
3. Check the box to turn this feature on.
4. Connect your Android device to your PC via the supplied USB cable.
5. You may need to install your device's driver for it to recognize correctly as an ADB device.
6. To test that it is connected as an ADB device do the following:
   1. Open a command prompt window and type cd\
   2. Type the command: ADB devices
   3. This will show if any ADB devices are connected
7. Open your TracerPlus Desktop project and click the Build\Deploy option.
8. From the Select Platform, drop-down choose the Android option.
9. Under the Android Connection Options it should default to the correct option if the connection is recognized by TracerPlus Desktop. This should be the Use Android Debug Bridge option. (If this option is grayed out then your device does not support this type of connection or USB Debugging wasn't enabled in the settings)
10. Click the Deploy option and the project will be deployed to your Android device.
11. Launch TracerPlus and you should now see your TracerPlus application as designed in TracerPlus Desktop.

Method 5: Manual copy of files

There are some Android devices that only connect as a Media Device in Windows. This will require you to create a directory on your Android device and manually copy files to it. Follow the instructions below to manually copy the necessary files over.

1. Open your TracerPlus Desktop project and click the Build\Deploy option.
2. Click the Build only option and then click Build.
3. Navigate to \Deploy\SystemInfo\Skins in your TracerPlus Desktop Project folder.
4. Connect your Android device to your PC via the supplied USB cable.
5. Browse the Android device using My Computer on your PC.
6. Create the following folder structure at the root of /mnt/sdcard: \tracerplus10\systeminfo\system.
7. Copy all .tac files from the above Skins folder into the system folder created above on the Android device.
8. Navigate to \Deploy\SystemInfo\System in your TracerPlus Desktop Project folder.
9. Copy all .tac files from the above System folder into the system folder created above on the Android device.
10. Launch TracerPlus and you should now see your TracerPlus application as designed in TracerPlus Desktop.