topic Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones in ArcGIS Instant Apps Questions

Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

FSD_Main — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:42:36 GMT

Not sure if this is a bug or not, but anyone else run into issues using the instant app on tablets or phones and after panning around a bit the map automatically refreshes, going back to the home view? Mainly what's happening is myself and another crew member, when panning to a location and measuring that location with the measure tool on the map and then deleting that area and then slightly pan to the next section to measure, the map will just automatically refresh and then we have to start all over again. It's very annoying. Doesn't seem to do this on a desktop, and I have tried 3 different browsers (safari, edge and chrome) all will do this on either an iPhone or android tablet. Any suggestions or advice how to get this to stop doing that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

BethRomero — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:33:22 GMT

@FSD_Main Is the Instant App embedded into an iframe when this is happening, or are you directly accessing the Instant App? Could you share which Instant App template you are using?

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

FSD_Main — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:37:39 GMT

Not sure about the iframe, I don't think so..... but the template is sidebar

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

BethRomero — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 01:08:46 GMT

Are you still seeing the issue? We made an update to ArcGIS Online on 10/22.

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

MackenzeOriger — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:44:36 GMT

I’m using the Reporter template and I have this issue as well, only on mobile. It will refresh the page at a random interval, resetting any progress made on an entry. It only seems to do this the first time the app is loaded up, but since a user is likely to open it from an external link and submit just a single comment it’s a frustrating behavior and reflects badly on the organization it was made for. So far I’ve tested it on an iPhone 13 and 14, with the same result

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

BethRomero — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:10:13 GMT

@MackenzeOriger could you share the reporter app you're seeing the issue with?

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

MackenzeOriger — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 21:22:04 GMT

Here is the app we're using:

https://msb.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/reporter/index.html?appid=e846a52faaf24b518efe57467895e441
I'm able to recreate the issue when creating a line feature. As a separate issue, the World Imagery basemap simply won't render until you use the basemap switcher. As far as I've been able to test, it's a mobile only issue.

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

RogerDunnGIS — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:39:24 GMT

We're having this issue, too, only on Chrome for iOS mobile. To be clear, this is not happening in Chrome for Windows, or on Chrome for Android mobile.

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

BradleyCarone — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:43:27 GMT

We are also having the same issue with a simple custom Experience. On safari IOS iphone 15.

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

ClioClark — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:08:29 GMT

Hi @RogerDunnGIS,

If this is only occurring on iOS, it could be related to BUG-000169078: When opening maps and apps in a mobile browser on iOS devices, the browser randomly refreshes after interacting with the map.

This link provides the following explanation: https://support.esri.com/en-us/bug/when-opening-maps-and-apps-in-a-mobile-browser-on-ios-d-bug-000169078

iOS is more sensitive to memory and CPU usage than Android, with these resources constantly monitored by the operating system. When the operating system detects excessive pressure on the device’s resources, it can trigger a browser tab restart. Each release includes efforts to identify and improve specific areas of the API to increase efficiency and reduce the likelihood of this occurring.

Re: Issues with Instant app constantly refreshing on tablets/phones

ChristinaRedden — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:08:10 GMT

I was hoping I'd see a fix here... but today I'm having the same problem with a HUB.... you can never get to the apps at the bottom of the page because it refreshes before you ever get there. Doesn't seem to be a timed refresh because I speed-scroll to the bottom. As soon as it hits my two bottom tables, it refreshes.

Does it on Chrome and Safari iOS 26.5

https://nov26election-glynn.hub.arcgis.com/