topic Re: Rotate Problem in quick app in ArcGIS Instant Apps Questions

Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:36:52 GMT

I created a quick app to display a map that shows tree location points in our commnunity development. I added the locator widget so that users can track their motion in relation to the tree points. When I look at the app on my phone the map rotates too often as I walk along. It makes it hard for users to walk towards the tree points and see where they are in relationship to the point. Several of my Beta testers have complained. I have tried to turn off the compass, but the problem still exists. I could not find a way to turn off rotate in the app.

I also tried to use Experience Builder to build the app. Not a rotate problem with Experience Builder, but could not find a way to track location.

I did a search of the ESRI Communities, but did not find anyone else having this problem. Is this a problem that has affected others? Tree App

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

ChryseMorales — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:09:41 GMT

Hi Brian,

I tested on my end and am not able to reproduce the behavior. Is it possible to attach a video of the behavior you're seeing? What kind of devices are you viewing the app on and in what browser? Thanks!

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:08:27 GMT

Thank you very much for the response. I am experiencing the problem on a Galaxy S23 phone. The problem seems to be consistent in different type phones. I made a very short video of the problem. In the video I am walking in a straight line down our street and keeping my hand still. I hope you can see that the map rotates twice. The video file although short exceeds the maximum file size for download, so I am including it as a link to my YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/t-MsaZTaPnQ

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:12:23 GMT

Sorry, I forgot to provide all the information you asked for. I am opening the app from my email and displaying on Google Chrome. That is a good point. I am not sure what browser it is opening with on the other phones.

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

ChryseMorales — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:32:54 GMT

Thanks for the additional information. I'm going to do a bit more testing today on this, I still haven't been able to reproduce, but I'll let you know! Is this something that only started happening after the recent Online release? For your data, are you using hosted feature layers or anything else that could also be good to know in my own testing?

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

ChryseMorales — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:01:59 GMT

Okay good news, I was able to reproduce the behavior and we should hopefully have a fix for it on Monday.

Once in, you'll have two ways to implement the fix. You can add rotationDisabled as a URL parameter or at the app level, if you're comfortable making changes to the JSON in AGO Assistant you can do the following:

It’s a good idea to make a copy of your app and test this workflow out before doing it on your real application.

Log in to AGO assistant. https://assistant.esri-ps.com
In “My Content” find your app then in then click the {} button to edit the items json
In the JSON editor click the “Data” tab then click the “Edit JSON” button
Then find a spot in the json in the values object to add rotationDisabled and set it to true.
Save and test your app

We will work on adding a configuration option so this can be configured by the app author before publishing for the next release.

Hope this helps! Let me know after Monday if you're still seeing any issues.

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:18:10 GMT

Thanks, the data showing for the tree points comes from a feature class that results when our horticultural expert identities a tree and enters the tree point into a Survey 123 app I am using. The web map used for the Quick app automatically is populated with the Survey 123 points.

Very sorry, but currently in an airport and just my phone available. If you want, I can send links to the web map and Survey 123 app later when I land. Brian Hovis

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:11:10 GMT

Thanks so much. I went into the JSON editor and on the data side could not find the rotate disable. It is early on Monday and assume the fix is not ready. I will watch for it later. Much appreciate the help and think that the rotate disable will be a good addition to the Quick Maps going forward. Brian Hovis

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:56:07 GMT

Hi, I didn't know quite what I was doing, but managed to add rotationDisapbled in the JSON under Values and wrote true. Also added the URL parameter at the end of the app data before I figured out the JSON editor. I am still not at home to work on this, but the horticulture person working with me will test out on Tuesday. Thanks ChryseMorales. I think it would be a good option to turn off rotate in all the apps. Thanks for working with me.

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:51:49 GMT

Hi Chryse: Wanted to let you know what my collaborator said when she sent me a note yesterday. Kathe said, "If the tracking dot is activated, the map rotates frequently. The tracking dot is still inaccurate to the point of useless. If the tracking dot is off, the map stays steady." So I think the problem is not solved and maybe associated with the tracking tool.

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

ChryseMorales — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:27:44 GMT

Hi Brian, sorry for the delay I was away at a conference and then sick. It doesn't seems like the rotationDisabled is set on your app. Let me know if these fixes work:

You can add rotationDisabled as a URL parameter or at the app level, if you're comfortable making changes to the JSON in AGO Assistant you can do the following:

It’s a good idea to make a copy of your app and test this workflow out before doing it on your real application.

Log in to AGO assistant. https://assistant.esri-ps.com
In “My Content” find your app then in then click the {} button to edit the items json
In the JSON editor click the “Data” tab then click the “Edit JSON” button
Then find a spot in the json in the values object to add rotationDisabled and set it to true.
Save and test your app

Re: Rotate Problem in quick app

BrianHovis — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:10:09 GMT

Sorry for the delay too. I wanted to hear back from my group of testers before responding to your latest. Thanks again for the code changes and I did apply them. It seems to solve the rotate problem and I am really appreciative your help. They did report somewhat erratic behaviour by the tracking widget, but I think that has to do with refresh settings on their own phones. That will be a separate post if I can't get that fixed. Also got some high resolution aerials that I plan to use as a basemap so the tracking widget is less important. Thanks again for your responsive and helpful suggestions. Brian