Field Maps and PDF Basemap on iOS

GDunnigan

Is there a documented best practice for getting PDFs to be used as an offline Basemap in Field Maps 26.1 & iOS?

For reference, I have Enterprise 11.1 and 11.5 environments.  I can view the PDF's as items in Field Maps just fine, and I can see where I am on the PDF.

If I take the PDF, and use the Files App on my iPad, I can manually copy the PDF to the Basemaps folder.  When I look at a live/online map, I can switch Basemaps and pick this PDF that I just copied.

However, in an Offline area, I cannot switch to this PDF.  I get an error "Basemap Unavailable: The Spatial reference isn't compatible with this map".  

Does the Projection that was used when creating the PDF need to match data in the Web Map?

GlenterpriseUK

Hi @GDunnigan,

I hope you are doing well.

Have you had a readthrough of the following Blog? https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/field-maps/field-mobility/whats-new-in-arcgis-field-maps-february-2026#:~:text=Geospatial%20PDF%20support

Starting from Field Maps 25.2 there was an intended design change that the App no longer allows switching the basemap to a basemap with a different spatial reference than the current map.

You can attempt to create a quick Geospatial PDF in ArcGIS Pro which uses the same coordinate system as your WebMap and attempt the workflow again.

If you have any further questions happy to assist further.

Regards,

Glen