topic Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline in ArcGIS Field Maps Questions

How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

Anonymous User — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:36:01 GMT

Hello all,

So I have a very specific use case for ArcGIS Field Maps. I can create the web maps and data I need collected/revisited within an ArcGIS Enterprise Portal on a secure network. When my field workers go to the field, they will be totally without any service. My fieldworkers should be able to access the Field Maps app while online and download the map for offline use before going out into the field. However, once there, how will they sign into the Portal to even begin using the downloaded map? Can they sign into their device and then, say after 3 days or more of travel without access to our network, will they be able to open the app on the device and still be logged in and ready to connect? If so, how long can they still be logged in for? They have to collect data for periods up to a month in some cases.

Thanks all!

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

RobertBorchert — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:40:58 GMT

The short answer is several thousand words 🙂 So I will post a document link to get you started.

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/field-maps/android/help/prepare-maps-for-download.htm

Once you learn the process it is quite easy but it may take a few tries to get it right.

I would suggest testing this out on test data first

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

DerekLaw — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 15:48:09 GMT

Hi @Anonymous User,

Please review this blog post which discusses the topic, it also has a video: Work offline with Field Maps

Also this technical paper is a good resource, Take Your Web Maps Offline with ArcGIS Field Maps

Hope this helps,

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

Anonymous User — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:36:10 GMT

Hey @RobertBorchert and @DerekLaw , thanks for the responses. So I read through the documentation that you both sent and have watched countless other videos and read other publications, they all sort of say the same thing: download your map and then take it offline. But specifically, what if I am offline already? How do I log into the Field Maps application using my ArcGIS Enterprise Portal login so that I can access my downloaded map?

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

RobertBorchert — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:37:33 GMT

Talk to your GIS professional in your office on how to log into your Portal. If you are offline then you cannot load the maps.

It is like having gas in a gas can in your garage and you run out 23.4 miles away.

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

DerekLaw — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 19:54:14 GMT

Hi @Anonymous User,

> ... what if I am offline already? How do I log into the Field Maps application using my ArcGIS Enterprise Portal login so that I can access my downloaded map?

ArcGIS Field Maps does support being disconnected for extended periods (e.g., 3 or more days). How long a user remains signed into the app while being offline will depend on how long the AGOL or enterprise portal token is valid for. This is a property set by the AGOL or enterprise portal admin.

FYI, ArcGIS Field Maps does not support signing into the app while being disconnected.

Hope this helps,

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

Anonymous User — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:15:48 GMT

Ok perfect. Thanks Derek!

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

DougBrowning — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 18:33:42 GMT

We are now getting more and more complaints that this is happening a lot more now. Never had much issue before.

One thing that does help is go into airplane mode. It seems like it may catch a signal sometimes, or thinks it does, and then logs out. Being in airplane the whole time seems to help.

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

TroyGerhardt1 — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 19:56:57 GMT

Have noticed that airplane mode seems to help, too. But it's often not a workable solution for our folks.

Derek, your reply makes me think there is a way to set the token expiration in AGOL. Is that something we can do? If not, can we know how log FM will stay logged in consistently so we could tell folks they have 2 weeks, or 30 days?

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

DerekLaw — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 16:48:58 GMT

Hi @TroyGerhardt1,

> ... your reply makes me think there is a way to set the token expiration in AGOL. Is that something we can do?

Apologies for the confusion. I believe this property can only be set with enterprise portals in ArcGIS Enterprise - but I am checking with the AGOL team. I will post an update if applicable.

> ... can we know how log FM will stay logged in consistently so we could tell folks they have 2 weeks, or 30 days?

Please take a look at this Esri Knowledgebase article, FAQ: What are some reasons that might cause a user to get signed out of Collector for ArcGIS when working in a disconnected environment?.

It seems to imply up to 90 days, but I have not personally tested myself. Even though it is written for ArcGIS Collector, it is still applicable for ArcGIS Field Maps.

Hope this helps,

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

cbp-geus — Wed, 10 May 2023 11:17:05 GMT

> ... FYI, ArcGIS Field Maps does not support signing into the app while being disconnected.

This is a bit of a serious critical issue with the app, that our users are not able to sign back in, if they get logged out due to unforeseen mishaps when offline.

We have field geologists on expeditions in remote areas of Greenland where there are no options to go back online until they are back in civilisation. Some of our users has experienced that they got logged out of the app due to either crashes of the phone or app or unforeseen mishaps with the app.

When they go 'offline' with their field app and downloaded maps, it is questionable why they then have to go 'online' in order to use the app. I know it is due to their profile credentials but it does not make sense that there are no way they can have either a token or offline credentials on the phone. This is something we can do with all other Esri products using a single user license from our licensing manager.

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

pjdohertygis — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 22:02:48 GMT

It sounds like this is a design flaw in ArcGIS Online. Tokens should 1) warn you before they expire 2) should be able to be taken offline so if you get signed out, you can still access your offline content.

We just had search and rescue teams get blocked out of Field Maps in a remote location even though they had downloaded offline areas.

I hope the @ArcGISOnline team is working on addressing this and can comment below.

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

pjdohertygis — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 22:19:24 GMT

Well, unfortunately sometimes the user is logged in, downloads offline map, then their token expires somewhere along the way without knowing it. Now they’re in the middle of nowhere and can’t access their offline maps which are already on their phones.

Re: How Do I Log Into Field Maps When Offline

GISAdminSHN — Tue, 27 May 2025 19:16:03 GMT

<bump>
Is there any update to this mission critical design flaw that potentially leaves first responders without access to their data?!

"Oops I accidentally got logged out and I am not within service range" should NEVER be a reason to lose time and ability in the field. We need a way to mitigate for this potential.