Get Ready for the Biggest ArcGIS Field Maps Release Yet

Over the past year, we have showcased previews of the next generation of ArcGIS Field Maps. The upcoming release is not only packed with new highly requested capabilities but also leverages the latest advancements in mobile software development. In support of the Q3 mobile release, you will begin to notice changes in Field Maps Designer with the ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 update in May and the June release of ArcGIS Online.

This blog aims to clarify what you can expect in the coming months as we gear up to unveil the new capabilities. The key takeaway is that we will be updating Field Maps Designer ahead of the mobile app release (25.2) which is scheduled for Q3. In the meantime, organizations can explore the new features through the beta version of the mobile application.

What apps make up Field Maps?

ArcGIS Field Maps consists of two main components: the mobile application that field users access and Field Maps Designer, a web application for configuring maps and optimizing the user experience for those in the field. Field Maps Designer is available in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise.

How does my organization get access to the latest release of Field Maps?

Field Maps is typically released alongside ArcGIS Online. Organizations, including those using ArcGIS Enterprise, can immediately utilize the new mobile app and benefit from any new capabilities that do not require configuration through Field Maps Designer. Organizations using ArcGIS Enterprise will gain access to features that require configuration through Field Maps Designer at their next upgrade. The ArcGIS Enterprise matrix provides an overview of when new capabilities are released in each version of ArcGIS Enterprise. This release does divert from this pattern of release

Are Field Maps Designer and the mobile app released at the same time?

We typically align release of the mobile app with the release of ArcGIS Online and Field Maps Designer. However, for ArcGIS Enterprise, the new capabilities are generally available in the releases following the ArcGIS Online update.

Why is Field Maps Designer being released ahead of the mobile app for this release?

To enable users to access new capabilities that rely on Field Maps Designer configuration before they can be utilized in the mobile app, we need to release Field Maps Designer ahead of the mobile app. This approach allows us to provide users with access to these capabilities prior to the mobile release (25.2) scheduled for Q3. As a result, we are decoupling the release of the mobile app from that of Field Maps Designer.

What new capabilities require Field Maps Designer before they can be used in the mobile app?

• Tasks – enables organizations to configure a digital to do list
• Define a branch version that field teams will access when they have cell connectivity

Will I be able to use the new capabilities in the mobile app before its updated?

Organizations that configure Tasks or define a branch version in Field Maps Designer before the mobile app is released in Q3 will not see these features in the current version of Field Maps (25.1). Instead, the Task layer will function like any other feature layer, and the branch version will be ignored, meaning users will only have access to the default branch when they have cell connectivity. However, organizations will be able to experience the user interface and other capabilities that do not require Field Maps Designer configuration in the beta version of Field Maps, available from May 2025, in the Early Adopters Program.

Why is Field Maps Designer being released in ArcGIS Enterprise ahead ArcGIS Online?

ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 is a long-term support release. For this reason, Field Maps Designer is being released with the latest configuration capabilities ahead of the ArcGIS Online update.

When is the mobile app being updated?

Field Maps’ mobile app (25.2), which is on the newest mobile technology, is due for release in Q3. There is not a set release date yet, but there will be plenty of communications in the near future which will showcase what’s coming. Join our Early Adopter Community to get the latest information or subscribe to our Esri Community Blog.

Are there changes to the minimum requirements for the mobile apps?

Field Maps’ mobile app (25.2), will introduce new minimum requirements for iOS and Android.

This means devices that do not meet the minimum requirements will not be able to use the latest supported versions of ArcGIS Field Maps. Due to the variance in Android devices affected devices cannot be listed. For iOS this will mean future versions of Field Maps will no longer be available on the following devices:

• iPhone 6s & 6s Plus, first-generation iPhone SE
• iPhone 7 & 7 Plus
• iPod Touch
• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and iPhone X

Is there anything I need to do to use the latest capabilities of Field Maps?

Once the mobile app is released, users will simply need to update to the latest version, either automatically or manually, depending on your organization’s app policy. They will be required to login after the update.

After the update, new capabilities that do not require configuration with Field Maps Designer will be immediately available. These enhancements include a refreshed user interface, a more intuitive experience when working with related records, ability to trace a utility network offline, a dynamic scale bar, and mark-up improvements, to name just a few new capabilities. However, some features, such as related pop-up elements or the latest Arcade functions, will require prior configuration of the map before they can be accessed in the mobile application.

Will my current maps work in the next generation of Field Maps?

Yes, there is no action required to continue to use the same maps.

What are all the new capabilities coming in the next version of Field Maps?

Stay tuned! We will be providing updates in the near future with more information on the latest capabilities that will be introduced.