How to: Connect Field Maps (Windows 11) to an external GPS receiver

Last updated: April 2024

Caution:

ArcGIS Field Maps on Windows 11 has been deprecated and will be retired on March 5, 2025. For more

information, see the deprecation notice.

Summary

Bluetooth and serial connections are not currently supported for apps using Windows

Subsystem for Android (WSA), which is used to run ArcGIS Field Maps on Windows 11 devices.

This article provides a workaround for connecting Field Maps to a receiver with Bluetooth or

USB and using a third-party app and TCP/IP as a location provider.

You’ll first pair or connect the GNSS receiver with the Windows device. Then, you’ll use the

third-party app to access the location and output it to a TCP/IP port. Field Maps can then access

the location using TCP/IP as a location provider.

Note: You cannot use TCP/IP as a location provider if the device is actively connected to a VPN.

Requirements

• ArcGIS Field Maps installed on Windows 11

• A GNSS receiver utility app that supports TCP server or another third-party app, such as

GPSGate Splitter

• Windows Subsystem for Android 2308.40000.1.0 or later

Note: If Microsoft Store auto-updates are disabled, you must update WSA manually

from the Microsoft Store Library page by clicking Get Updates.

Workaround

1. Pair the Windows device with the GNSS receiver if using Bluetooth or connect it with a

USB cable if using a serial connection.

2. Using a third-party app that supports TCP server, access the location from the paired

GNSS receiver and output it to a TCP/IP port.

3. In the WSA Settings app, select the Advanced settings tab, expand the Experimental

Features section, and enable the Local network access setting.

4. Click the System tab and click the Turn off button.

5. Open and sign in to Field Maps.

6. From the Maps list, tap Profile .

7. In the Location section, tap Provider.

8. Tap Add provider.

The TCP/IP Provider option appears.

9. Tap TCP/IP Provider and then tap Next.

10. Provide a receiver name.

11. In the Port number text box, enter the port number provided by the third-party app.

12. If needed, add an antenna height.

13. Tap Done and ensure the TCP/IP provider is the selected location provider for Field

Maps.

You’re ready to use the location provided by the GNSS receiver with ArcGIS Field Maps.

Additional notes if you’re using GPSGate Splitter

• The app requires a license key after the trial period.

• When setting the location input, you can either use the COM port exposed from the

GNSS receiver or a virtual COM port generated from the receiver utility app.

• When setting the location output, select the TCP Server option and add a port number.

The TCP port number in Field Maps must match the port number provided here.