How do I move the URL of a webapp to the new Exp Builder map I've created to take its place?

[ShannonLunderville]

I've searched but I'm not finding a "how-to". I have a map(s) that I built with WebAppBuilder which of course is being deprecated Q1 2026, so I created a new app with Experience Builder for that same map. I would like my users to still be able to use the same exact URL of the original map. Seamless - when they click the original link it goes to the new Exp Builder app map. I think(?) it can be done with ArcGIS Online Assistant?

I found vague instructions that say to create a new map, share it, get its URL, and swap out the URLs in the relevant section of the AGOL assistant. The first time I tried it did nothing. The second time I tried swapping the map IDs instead - that was a no-no, it blew my map away. I don't want to lose the rest of my maps doing trial and error. If it's possible to do, can someone please tell me exactly step by step how to do this?

[VenkataKondepati · Accepted solution]

You’re not missing anything — you can’t truly keep the exact same Web AppBuilder URL in ArcGIS Online once you move to Experience Builder, because the URL is tied to the app item type + item ID (that .../apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=... pattern). Trying to “swap IDs” in ArcGIS Assistant is exactly how people accidentally break items (as you saw). There’s even an Esri Idea asking for this capability because it’s a common pain.
https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/transfer-url-address-from-webapp-builder-to/idc-p/...

What you can do safely (best practice):

Create the new Experience Builder app and validate it.

Stop sharing the old WAB app to the public (or keep it shared but clearly marked).

On the old WAB item details page, add a big banner in Description:
“This app moved — click here” + paste the new ExB URL.
https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/222265/changing-the-url-id-handle-of-an-arcgis-online-web-ap...

Use a stable “friendly” link going forward:

Put a redirect page on your org website (recommended), or

Use a short link you control (not the WAB URL).

Optional (if you control hosting): if you download/host the old WAB app on your own web server, you can do a clean HTTP redirect from the old URL to the new ExB app.
GIS Stack Exchange

Bottom line: Don’t use ArcGIS Assistant to repoint IDs for this. It’s not supported and it’s risky. Use a redirect link you control, and keep the old item as a pointer. – Venkat

[ShannonLunderville]

Thank you for explaining "why" and also offering the idea for future maps - I appreciate it!