Mobile Data Computer Login
Sign a vehicle in to the Mobile Data Computer by entering its vehicle ID.
The Mobile Data Computer Login screen is the front door to the in-vehicle MDC. You type the vehicle's own identifier — the number painted on the apparatus, as your agency records it — and continue. The continue button is deliberately dimmed and unresponsive until the field has something in it, so the screen cannot be passed without an ID.
Overview
| Element | What it does | Starting state |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle ID field | Where you type the unit's identifier | Empty |
| Continue button | Signs the vehicle in | Dimmed and untappable |
| Code label | Shows the code associated with this login screen | As supplied |
| Logo | Tap to exit the login screen | — |
The continue button has two states and nothing in between:
| Field | Button appearance | Button behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Empty | Faded to about 60 percent | Taps do nothing at all |
| Has any text | Full brightness | Tappable |
The change happens as you type, character by character, and reverses the moment you clear the field.
Getting Here
- Open the Account tab.
- Open App Settings.
- Choose Mobile Data Computer, then continue to the login screen.
On some devices a Mobile Data Log In button is also offered on the sign-in screen itself, before you have signed in to the app. That route reaches the same screen.
Signing In a Vehicle
- Tap the Vehicle ID field and type the unit's identifier.
- As soon as the field has any text, the continue button brightens and becomes tappable.
- Tap the continue button to sign the vehicle in to the MDC.
Loading and Empty States
| State | What you see |
|---|---|
| Screen opens | An empty Vehicle ID field and a dimmed continue button, drawn immediately with no spinner |
| Typing | The button brightens as soon as the field has one character |
| Field cleared | The button dims again and stops responding |
| Offline | Identical. The field and the button are entirely local |
There is nothing to wait for on this screen. It never shows a loading indicator, because nothing is requested when it opens.
What Happens Next
Signing in here leads into the MDC itself, where the real in-vehicle work happens.
| In the MDC you can | Documented on |
|---|---|
| Set your unit status with one tap — AQTS, AMDC, AVOI, ENR, ONS, STAGE, AONS, TRNSPT, ATHOS | Mobile Data Computer |
| Open incidents, messages, the map, GPS, the directory, weather, translate and cameras in one landscape panel | Mobile Data Computer |
| Use the in-cab converters and stopwatch | Mobile Data Computer |
Before You Sign In
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| You have the right vehicle ID | The ID ties the tablet to that apparatus; a wrong one puts the unit in the wrong place |
| You have a connection | Status updates inside the MDC are sent live and are lost without one |
| Offline map data has finished downloading | The MDC's MAP panel will not open until it has |
| The tablet is mounted and charging | The MDC keeps the screen awake for the whole session, which uses power steadily |
Sign in before you leave the station, while you still have solid coverage. The login screen itself works offline, but everything you do in the MDC afterwards — starting with setting a status — does not.
There is no separate message telling you the field is empty. The disabled button is the validation — if tapping does nothing, look at whether the field has text.
The vehicle ID identifies the apparatus, not you. Use the ID your agency assigns to that unit, and check with dispatch if you are unsure rather than guessing — an unrecognized ID means the unit does not appear where crews expect it.
Exiting the Login Screen
- Tap the logo at the top of the screen.
- A prompt appears: Mobile Data Computer — "Do you want to exit from this screen?"
- Choose Go Back to leave, or Stay to remain on the login screen.
- Choosing Go Back restores your previous theme, unlocks the screen orientation, and returns you to the previous screen.
The prompt itself follows your theme, so it appears dark if the app was in dark mode when you entered.
| Prompt element | Text |
|---|---|
| Title | Mobile Data Computer |
| Message | "Do you want to exit from this screen?" |
| First button | Go Back |
| Second button | Stay |
This is the same prompt used by the MDC itself, so the exit behavior is consistent between the two screens.
How This Connects
- What it leads to. This screen is the gateway to Mobile Data Computer, the landscape in-vehicle dashboard where unit status and every module panel live.
- What the ID is for. The vehicle ID ties this tablet to a unit, so the status you set in the MDC — ENR, ONS, TRNSPT and the rest — is attributed to that apparatus rather than to an anonymous device. Those statuses show on the Status Bar and to dispatch.
- Theme and orientation. Entering the MDC flow forces dark mode and locks landscape. Exiting through the logo restores your Theme choice from App Defaults and your normal orientation lock. Leaving the app without exiting properly can leave both in the MDC state until you return and exit correctly.
- Not a device registration. Signing a vehicle in here does not add a row to Devices; that list is built from people's app sessions, not vehicle logins.
- Offline behavior. The field and the button work offline because they are local. Anything that depends on the server — including the status updates you will make inside the MDC — needs a connection, so sign in while you still have one where you can.
Troubleshooting
| If this happens | What to do |
|---|---|
| The continue button will not respond | The Vehicle ID field is empty. Type the ID; the button brightens as soon as there is any text. |
| The button looks bright but nothing happens | Check the field again — clearing it dims and disables the button immediately. |
| You do not know the vehicle ID | Ask dispatch or check your agency's vehicle records. Do not guess; an unrecognized ID means the unit will not show where crews expect. |
| The exit prompt does not appear | Tap the logo itself rather than the surrounding area. |
| You tapped Stay by mistake | Tap the logo again and choose Go Back. |
| The app is stuck in landscape or dark mode | You left without exiting properly. Return to this screen or the MDC, tap the logo and choose Go Back to restore your theme and orientation. |
| You cannot find the route into this screen | Open Mobile Data Computer from App Settings, or use the Mobile Data Log In button on the sign-in screen where your device offers it. |
| The vehicle does not appear to dispatch after signing in | Check the ID, then set a status in the MDC with a working connection — status updates are what report the unit's state. |
Related Pages
⬅️ Previous: Mobile Data Computer | Next: Notifications ➡️