Option to Redirect Applications that have been 'Retired'

[MichaelKelly]

Applications are often updated with newer more functional better looking templates as they are developed. For example, I'm sure many users will update applications to the latest Basic viewer included with the June 2016 release of ArcGIS Online. However when you do this you are going to have a new application URL. Users may have bookmarked or stored an older version of the viewer. If there were an option to 'redirect' users to the latest version of the application when the old retired version is opened this would be never be a problem.

[Kuyler_JonesCivil]

This will especially important with the impending migration from Web AppBuilder to Experience Builder or Instant Apps.

[JeanettaWyman]

I think this would be especially useful now that all web map applications have to be migrated to Experience Builder or InstantApps!

[michelle-maps]

Years later and this is definitely still a feature I need!

[ClarkLangridge1]

This is becoming a bigger issue with WebApp Builder being deprecated next year.  We have a number of public apps that are widely used and there is no viable way to redirect people to a new app.  We tried removing the sharing on one map to try and get people to go find the replacement app, but all that did was prompt a number of people to send angry emails about not wanting to pay for an AGOL subscription.  

When I've asked ESRI staff about this, the answer I've gotten was "Yes, you should move your apps to Experience Builder.  But WebApp Builder will still run!"  😑

[MichaelTorbett]

This feature would be very useful. I've converted several Web App Builder Apps over to ExB, but  redirecting people to the new application has been a pain point for sure. 

[LavanyaVasudevanNES]

Esri please put this in your product plan. 

[MonicaAlmeida1]

I voted on this a while ago and wish I could vote again. Classic Story Maps and Web AppBuilder are tools I have used to communicate research and project results, and the links to these apps were included as references in published scientific papers. Journals do not allow changing the URL links in the papers, and even if they did, this really should be handled at the source.

Stable URLs are critical for long-lived documents like scientific papers. Implementing redirects would provide a practical solution that preserves access to deliverables while allowing the platform to evolve.

I also hear concerns from collaborators. The project deliverables I create using Esri-based products are often funded by grants, which do not guarantee ongoing support. Providing redirect options would give users confidence that their work remains accessible without jeopardizing future deliverables or requiring additional funding for updates.

[MonicaAlmeida1]

Wait, is this the solution?

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/manage-data/replacement-items.htm

[JeffThomasILM]

@MonicaAlmeida1 - that is interesting... it does seem like the beginning of a solution, but it's quite limited for now. Fingers crossed. Thanks for finding that!

[MonicaAlmeida1]

@JeffThomasILMI know! I got really excited and started testing, but nothing happened. Then I realized I hadn’t read the part that says it won’t work until the old one retires… so now I’m just trusting the process. Fingers crossed!