topic Re: How do I stop Field Maps from refreshing when I switch between apps? in ArcGIS Field Maps Questions

How do I stop Field Maps from refreshing when I switch between apps?

ConorFlynn — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:40:26 GMT

Every time I switch from Field Maps to another app, and back again, Field Maps refreshes and I lose where I was and all of the layers have to load again. This is problematic in areas with low connectivity and especially when doing field work that involves switching between multiple apps.

This is on iOS, most recent version of iOS and Field Maps.

According to what I read, "iOS manages memory usage by informing suspended background apps that they will be terminated when more free memory is needed by the current foreground app. A well written app is supposed to store its state so that it can resume exactly where it left off. Many apps developers do not implement this behavior."

It does seem that Field Maps stores its state, but apparently not the actual data needed to show the map in that state, so it has to reload all of the data. It goes back to the home page, then reopens the map and tries to reload the data. If I'm in a pocket of low service then layers that I just had open fail to load.

Any ideas/suggestions for how to prevent Field Maps from reloading when I have to switch apps?

Re: How do I stop Field Maps from refreshing when I switch between apps?

Y_Chau — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:52:18 GMT

Hi Conor

You can create offline areas and download your map to the device. It works better in poor network areas.

Re: How do I stop Field Maps from refreshing when I switch between apps?

ConorFlynn — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:31:02 GMT

@Y_Chau I noticed that even after creating an offline area, if there is some cell service Field Maps will attempt to reload and (if there isn't enough service) fail to load the downloaded offline area!

The only fix I found is to put the phone in Airplane Mode. This allows the offline area to open...

Re: How do I stop Field Maps from refreshing when I switch between apps?

Y_Chau — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:22:06 GMT

This has to be a bug. If one loads an offline map, FM should work just with the offline map without poking around. Please report it to esri.

Re: How do I stop Field Maps from refreshing when I switch between apps?

CameronZable_COG — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:21:13 GMT

Having this same issue. Even when maps are loaded via files app. Really frustrating!