topic Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x in ArcGIS Field Maps Questions

Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

DanGruber — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:07:20 GMT

The active layer on a map - the layer with an associated form and a related table with its own form - have disappeared from the FM app since the update to 25.2.x. The layer is not visible on both the online map and in the offline map areas we created. All the other map layers, none of them active, do show.

A phone still running FM 25.1.x does show the active layer, and phones running 25.2.x but which have not reloaded the offline maps also still show the active layer. If the offline areas are removed and reloaded, however, the active layer disappears.

I see no error messages at all in AGOL, FM Designer, or the mobile app.

Does anyone know what's going on? Is there a way to fix this? The apps are unusable in the current state.

Thanks,

Dan

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

ColinLawrence — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 20:55:45 GMT

Hey @DanGruber , what do you mean by active layer? Is this a layer you are using for editing? Does it appear at all in the Layers list in the map? Have you tried pulling this layer alone into a new map?

I suggest opening a case with Esri Support if you have not already so we can debug the problem. I am also happy to provide any further suggestions based on your answers to the above as well.

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

DanGruber — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 21:55:40 GMT

The active layer is the only layer on the map that's editable and has a FM
form associated with it. It also has a related table, which in turn has its
own form.

It does appear in the layers list for the map and is enabled on that list.
Note that a different offline area for the same project that has not been
reloaded since the FM update still shows this active layer. At the moment,
we're telling all our folks who use FM not to reload any maps that work
properly.

How do I open a case with tech support?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Dan Gruber

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

ColinLawrence — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 22:37:47 GMT

Thanks @DanGruber . So it sounds like the layer is not rendering despite being in the map still. Do you know how it is symbolized? Were the symbols applied in Desktop or AGOL? I still suggest putting this layer in a new map and see if it renders in that map online and offline; try changing the symbology as well.

Also, is there still a button to Collect (+) new features? If so, does the layer show up here?

You can find Support contact information here near the bottom of the page.

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

DanGruber — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:12:45 GMT

The symbology for that layer was created in AGOL. The layer symbology is
points whose color is determined by one of the fields.

We do have the + button to add an entry, and when that's pressed the correct
form appears but the points still are not visible on the map.

I'll check two things. First, I'll add a test point and see whether it shows
up on the AGOL map. DONE - new point appears on the AGOL map but not on the
FM map on the phone. (Debbie, the test point is in cell O-15 and clearly
labeled as TEST.)

Also, I'll try your suggestion about putting the layer by itself onto a new
map and seeing what happens when I create an offline area and open it in FM.
I'll let you know the results. DONE - Yes, the active layer now is visible
in both the online map and the offline map area I created. So maybe it's the
original map that is corrupted or doesn't play well with FM 25.2.x. It's
fortunate that I saved the forms both to the map and the layer (and table)
when they were created. I'll try creating a new work map by adding the
other, non-editable layers to the map just created with the active layer.
I'll do that one layer at a time and see whether the FM map continues to
show everything. (Debbie, I may not finish that until tomorrow.)

Thanks for the suggestions.

Dan

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

ColinLawrence — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:00:07 GMT

Great to hear you are making progress with a new map! I dont like to chalk it up to "corrupted" as that is rarely every truly the case and whether you want to spend the time to dig further to find cause is the question. You are on the right track with adding the layers back in one by one to see if you can see where things go wrong. If you eventually get to what seems like the same map, but only the new one is working, I would typically using AGO assistant to compare the JSON of the two web maps which may point out a key difference that was missed. Let me know if you discover an answer or have further questions.

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

DanGruber — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:18:40 GMT

I'll certainly let you know the results of adding the layers back one by
one. I'm about halfway through now and expect to finish later today.

I've never used the AGOL assistant to compare JSONs between maps. Heck, I'm
not sure I know how to access the AGOL assistant! But if no specific layer
seems to be the problem, I'll certainly give that a try. We use a bunch of
FM apps for our field work (we're a small conservation non-profit that does
a lot of applied research using our volunteers to leverage scientists), so I
want to make sure all the apps keep working.

Thanks again for your help,

Dan

PS. I'm another volunteer, self-taught in GIS over the years.

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

ColinLawrence — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 18:22:35 GMT

You can find AGO assistant here. Please note this is not an official supported tool and modifications can be made that can break your maps. I suggest reading the user guide on the tab at the top of the page. I would also suggest copying out the JSON of your map into a text editor to compare and avoid enabling "edit" mode unless you are comfortable with what you are doing.

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

DanGruber — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 21:31:45 GMT

Colin, the new map works with all the layers. It would be nice to understand
why the old map doesn't work, but based on your last message I think
pursuing that with AGO assistant is out of my depth. I'm just going to
accept success!

Thank you again for your assistance and patience with me.

Dan

Re: Active layer not visible after update to 25.2.x

ColinLawrence — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 21:42:05 GMT

No problem! If you want to explore this at a later time feel free to reach out.