---
title: Activate
slug: author/activate
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-03-11T06:56:09.059Z
---

This feature allows you to easily provision a player.

Upon boot up, a player that has not yet been provisioned (primarily new players but also factory reset players) will try to connect to BrightSign Cloud and look for a provisioning record. If one is found, the player will set itself up according to the provisioning record.

If a provisioning record is not found, the player will boot up to the “Activate” screen.

# Prepare the Player

## New Player

If your player is brand new, you simply need to attach a properly formatted storage device to the player, connect the player to the Internet, and power up the player.

## Previously Provisioned Player

BrightSign Cloud retains the provisioning record for a player until that provisioning record is *explicitly changed*. Info on deleting or changing existing provisioning records can be found [here](docId\:Cyl9kPm02CO5rgcB9WQQv).

:::hint{type="info"}
Performing a [factory reset](docId\:ynCF7P2PYZo2qedF1JYim) on a player returns the *player* to its factory condition. However, a factory reset does *not* impact the *provisioning record* of that player’s serial number on BrightSign Cloud.
:::

# Activate the Player

You can activate your player automatically or manually. Automatic activation is the most common method, but manual activation can be useful on audio-only players, like the AU335, which do not have a display.

## Automatic Player Activation

Shortly after boot up, assuming no provisioning record was found, the player should display the Activation screen shown below:

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/gdgJSM3e8DZ7VDVIBJKJL_microsoftteams-image-20230411-171038.png)

From this screen, there are several ways to activate the player.

1. As shown on the activation screen, you can use a web browser and go to [http://bsn.cloud/activate](http://bsn.cloud/activate) which will launch BrightSign Author and take you to the appropriate screen for device activation. For those who do not wish to use BrightSign Author, one of the below activation methods may be used in conjunction with [https://control.bsn.cloud](https://control.bsn.cloud).
2. If you are using a smartphone, you can scan the displayed QR code. The QR code contains a link that will take you to the activation web page.
3. Alternatively, select **Player Activation** under the **Admin** tab in either BrightSign Author or via BrightSign Control at which point you will be prompted to enter the code. Once the code has been entered, you will be presented with a message indicating that the player has been activated.

![image-20241218-205048.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/TX2mYHBOEnTMkhwzewzWp_image-20241218-205048.png)

## Manual Player Activation

You must know the player serial number to use manual activation. It can be found on the bottom of the player, or on the side of the packaging box.

1. Go to **Admin > Provision**
2. Select **Add Player**
3. Add the **Player Serial Number**, **Player Name**, and **Player Description** and then **Add Player**

![image-20241218-205142.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/8HelYsWbtiejTKN-HN5HR_image-20241218-205142.png)

Once activated, BrightSign Cloud will know about the player. However, the player will first need to apply its Setup File (as specified by its provisioning record) in order to establish the proper connections to BrightSign Cloud. After the Setup File has been applied, the player will be listed under the [Network](docId\:Uba8sfkMSAJsIBrbv4A6N) tab, assuming that there are no networking obstructions. From here, access to many player settings is available.