1. Use ArcGIS Online Assistant or AGO Admin Tools
ArcGIS Online Assistant (Esri Labs) lets you log in and view the JSON of your maps and apps.
Open each web map’s JSON and search for the service URL of the feature layer in question.
Much faster than opening every map in Map Viewer.
Admin Tools for ArcGIS Online (by GeoJobe) has reports that let you list all items and their dependent layers. If your org allows add-ons, this is the most user-friendly way.
2. Search Your Content in ArcGIS Online
In your ArcGIS Online Content page, use the search bar with the feature service URL or part of the layer name.
This will often bring up maps and apps where the layer is referenced.
3. Programmatic Approach
If you’re comfortable with Python:
Use the ArcGIS API for Python to loop through your org’s web maps and search for the layer URL in their data.
Code snippet example:
from arcgis.gis import GIS
gis = GIS("home")
layer_url = "https://services.arcgis.com/xyzx/arcgis/rest/services/YourLayer/FeatureServer"
for item in gis.content.search("", item_type="Web Map", max_items=500):
data = item.get_data()
if data and "operationalLayers" in data:
for lyr in data["operationalLayers"]:
if layer_url in str(lyr):
print(f"Layer found in map: {item.title} (ID: {item.id})")
This will list out all web maps containing the feature service.
4. Impact on Field Maps Syncing
Yes, if the service is deleted, sync will fail for any offline area or map that references it.
That’s why locating all references before deletion is critical.
Recommendation: If you don’t want to go the Python route, the quickest practical method is ArcGIS Online Assistant → search your JSON for the layer URL.
