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Getting Started

This guide takes you from install to your first live reading in a few minutes.

1. Install​

  • iOS — download BacBus from the App Store (iOS 14+).
  • Android — coming soon to Google Play.

2. Get on the right network​

BacBus communicates directly with controllers over your local network, so your phone must be on the same subnet/VLAN as the equipment:

  • Join the site Wi-Fi that has access to the controls network, or
  • Connect to the building/automation VLAN where the BACnet and Modbus devices live.
tip

BACnet discovery relies on UDP broadcast, which does not cross routed subnets. If your phone and the controllers are on different subnets, discovery will find nothing even though everything is online. Get onto the same broadcast domain.

3. Grant Local Network access (iOS)​

The first time you run a scan, iOS prompts for Local Network access. This permission is required — BACnet device discovery uses local UDP broadcast, and the app cannot find or read any device without it. Tap Allow.

If you tapped "Don't Allow" by mistake, re-enable it under Settings → BacBus → Local Network.

4. Discover BACnet devices​

  1. Open the BACnet tab (bottom left).
  2. Tap 📡 Discover devices (Who-Is). BacBus broadcasts a Who-Is and listens for about six seconds, populating device cards live as controllers answer.
  3. Tap any device to open it. BacBus reads its identity and scans its full object list, then shows live present-values you can search and filter.

See BACnet for the full walkthrough.

5. Read a Modbus device​

  1. Open the Modbus tab.
  2. Enter the device's Host/IP, Port (default 502), and Unit id, then tap Connect.
  3. Choose a function (e.g. Holding Registers (FC3)), a Start address and Count, pick a data type, and tap Read. Or tap 🔎 Discover points to let BacBus find which registers are actually mapped.

See Modbus for the full walkthrough.

6. Unlock Pro (optional)​

Reading is free. When you tap a write, relinquish, or CSV-export action for the first time, BacBus shows the Pro screen. BacBus Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks all of those for good — no subscription. Already bought it on another device? Tap Restore purchase. See BacBus Pro.

Tip: try it without hardware​

Want to explore the interface first? On the desktop development build, BacBus runs an in-browser simulator that advertises a few sample BACnet devices and a Modbus slave — useful for demos and screenshots. On a phone, BacBus always uses the real network.