Samsara Apps can automatically update the location of nearby compatible Samsara Bluetooth devices, such as unpowered Asset Gateways (AG51) and Asset Tags (AT11, AT11X), by using the phone’s Bluetooth connection. When these devices are outside the range of a Samsara Gateway, the Samsara Driver or Fleet App detects them and reports their location based on the phone’s GPS.
This capability enhances asset visibility with more frequent and higher-accuracy updates across daily operations. Samsara Apps passively listen for Bluetooth signals from Samsara Asset Tags and unpowered Asset Gateways and update their location, even when the app is running in the background.
It is especially useful for fleets that need to track assets in areas away from the range of Samsara Gateways, where Bluetooth detection would otherwise not occur, such as tracking trailers in remote yards or equipment at temporary job sites.
When the Samsara Driver App or Fleet App is installed and opened for the first time, the device prompts for Bluetooth and location access. These prompts display only once. If they are denied or skipped, permissions must be updated manually in the device settings.
These permissions must remain active for the app to detect nearby Samsara Bluetooth devices and send GPS location updates in the background.
If the app is opened for the first time, use the following workflow to grant permissions when prompted.
If permissions were denied, skipped, or need to be updated later, use the following workflow to adjust settings manually.
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Open the device’s Settings and go to the app permissions for Samsara.
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In the app's Location settings, select Always.
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Enable Bluetooth access.
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For Andriod users, turn off battery optimization to allow background detection:
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Open Android Settings and go to Apps > Samsara > Battery.
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Set battery usage to Not Optimized.
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Samsara minimizes battery impact by optimizing Bluetooth usage, but some additional battery drain may still occur. To stop the app from detecting Bluetooth devices, update the Bluetooth and location permissions in your device settings.
To confirm that a Bluetooth device has been detected and its location recorded, review the asset's location history. The source label indicates the type of automatic detection observed:
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Seen by Samsara Mobile App: The device was detected by a mobile app signed in to your organization.
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Seen by Samsara Network: The device was detected outside your organization by either a Samsara Vehicle Gateway or a mobile app signed in to a different organization.
Each location marker on the map represents a reported position from either a Bluetooth or GPS signal. When you hover over a marker, the tooltip shows:
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The estimated accuracy radius of the location
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The last time the asset was seen
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Whether the update came from a gateway in your organization or the broader Samsara Network
Zoom in to uncluster overlapping markers in dense areas. To interpret the AG51’s location history on the map, use the following marker descriptions to understand how each location was detected and reported:
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Marker |
Description |
|---|---|
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Indicates a Bluetooth location |
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Indicates GPS location |
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Represents the most recent location detected by a Samsara gateway |
If location updates are not displaying, check the following:
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Bluetooth and Always Allow location permissions must be enabled in app settings on the device.
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On Android, verify that battery optimization is disabled for the Samsara Driver App or Samsara Fleet App.
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Confirm that a mobile device has been near the Bluetooth device with the app installed and active.
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