Configuring the V5 Brain for Coding over Bluetooth – VEX Library

When working with VEXcode V5 on a device (iPad / Android tablet / Amazon Fire tablet), it is important to understand how to connect your device to the VEX V5 Robot Brain in order to download and run projects.

How to Connect the V5 Robot Brain to a Device

V5 Robot Brain is shown connected to a V5 Battery and a V5 Radio.

Ensure the V5 Robot Brain is connected to a V5 Battery and V5 Radio.

V5 Robot Brain is shown powered off and with its power button highlighted.

Turn on the V5 Robot Brain by pressing the power button.

Brain screen is shown in the Home menu with the Settings option highlighted.

Select ‘Settings’ on the V5 Robot Brain’s screen to check the Radio Type. The Radio Type must be set to Bluetooth for the connection to be successful.

Brain screen is shown in the Settings menu with the Radio Type option highlighted.

The Settings dialog window will open. Look for the Radio Type in the bottom left corner. If the Radio Type is set to VEXnet, switch it to Bluetooth by pressing the Radio Type area.

Brain screen is shown with a prompt that reads Changing the radio mode will also change the Controller. Connect your Controller then press OK. Below there are two buttons reading Ok and Cancel.

A prompt will appear to confirm changing the Radio Type. Select ‘Ok’ to confirm the change.

Brain screen is shown in the Settings menu with the Radio Type option highlighted.

Ensure the Radio Type displays that it is now connected via Bluetooth.

Brain screen is shown in the Settings menu with the Radio Data option highlighted.

Ensure the Radio Data is set to ‘On.’

Connection icon on the Brain screen is highlighted, and in this example it has a label reading BD.

Check the connection icon. Once the Radio Type is set to Bluetooth and the Radio Data is On, the connection icon will display ‘BD.’

Connection icon on the Brain screen is highlighted, and in this example it has a label reading V.

Note: If the Radio Type is set to VEXnet, the connection icon will display ‘V.’

VEXcode V5 application icon.

Launch VEXcode V5 on your device.

Device prompt that reads VEXcode V5 Would Like to Use Bluetooth, This application uses Bluetooth Low Energy to communicate with your robot. Below there are two buttons, one reads Don't Allow and the other reads OK, the OK button is highlighted.

When launching VEXcode V5, you may receive a prompt asking to verify Bluetooth usage. Select ‘OK.’

Note: if you are not receiving a prompt to allow Bluetooth, please check the Bluetooth settings on your device to ensure it is on.

VEXcode V5 Toolbar with the Brain icon highlighted in between the Controller and Download icons.

Select the ‘Brain’ icon in the Toolbar.

VEXcode V5 with the Brain dropdown menu opened and the Connect button highlighted.

A list of available V5 Robot Brains will appear. Select the name of the Brain you want to connect to.

VEXcode V5 Select a VEX V5 Brain prompt that has a list of V5 Brains to connect to. Only one Brain is listed in this example and it is highlighted.

Once a Brain is chosen, select ‘Connect.’

VEXcode V5 Select a VEX V5 Brain prompt that has a list of V5 Brains to connect to. The Brain has been selected and the Connect button below is highlighted.

View the Radio Connection Code that will display on the Brain’s screen.

Brain screen is shown with an orange background and text that reads Radio Connection Code 2080. There is an Ok button below.

Enter the Radio Connection Code from the V5 Brain’s Screen, then select ‘Submit.’

VEXcode V5 Radio Connection Code prompt that reads Enter the 4 digit Radio Connection Code displayed on the V5 Brain. Below, there is a field to enter the code and two buttons that read Cancel and Submit. The code 2080 has been entered into the field and the Submit button is highlighted.

The Brain icon will turn orange and a ‘Connecting to:’ message will appear while the Brain is connecting.

VEXcode V5 with the Brain dropdown menu opened while a Brain is connecting. The Brain's name is shown in the menu, and the Brain icon on the Toolbar is colored orange.

Once the Brain is connected, the icon will turn green.

VEXcode V5 Toolbar with the green Brain icon highlighted, indicating that the Brain is connected.

The message in the window will say ‘Connected to:’ and list the name of the V5 Brain that is connected to the device.

VEXcode V5 with the Brain dropdown menu opened after a Brain has been connected. The Brain's name in the menu is highlighted, and the Brain icon on the Toolbar is colored green.

Note: the connection icon will display ‘D’ in the top right corner of the Brain’s screen when the V5 Robot Brain is connected to the device.

Connection icon on the Brain screen is highlighted, and in this example it has a label reading D.

To disconnect from a Brain, select ‘Disconnect.’

Note: if you have followed all of the steps and the connection is still not working, please check the Bluetooth settings on your device to ensure it is on.

Note to competition teams: The Field Control system only works with the VEXnet radio. If the radio has been changed to Bluetooth for programming purposes it will need to be changed back prior to competing on the field.