QuickCapture projects in Survey123 Mobile
Earlier this year, we announced that the current generation ArcGIS QuickCapture mobile app is being deprecated and will be retired at a future date. Importantly, this is not a deprecation of QuickCapture as a product. QuickCapture projects continue to be authored in the QuickCapture designer, and the big-button data capture experience remains an important part of ArcGIS field operations.
The next step for QuickCapture mobile workflows is Survey123 Mobile, the next generation field data collection app built on modern technology. Survey123 Mobile is designed to open both Survey123 surveys and QuickCapture projects, bringing smart forms and rapid data capture together in one app.
Why Survey123 Mobile?
Many organizations already use Survey123 and QuickCapture side-by-side. Survey123 is used when the workflow needs a smart form, validation, calculations, repeats, conditional logic, or a more guided data entry experience. QuickCapture is used when the workflow needs fast, simple, big-button capture with minimal interaction.
Survey123 Mobile brings these two experiences closer together. Instead of asking mobile workers to install, sign in to, and move between separate apps, the goal is to support both types of work from a single mobile app.
- One app to install and manage.
- One sign-in experience for mobile workers.
- One place to access smart forms and rapid capture projects.
- Tighter integration between Survey123 surveys and QuickCapture projects.
- A modern foundation for incremental improvements over time.
Combining rapid capture and smart forms
One of the most useful patterns is to start with a QuickCapture project and then open a Survey123 survey when more detail is required. A mobile worker can capture common observations quickly using big buttons, then launch a survey for the cases that need structured follow-up information.
This can be configured using link buttons in QuickCapture. A link button can open a Survey123 survey using the Survey123 app link or custom URL scheme. You can also use URL parameters to configure the experience so that, after the survey is submitted, the user returns to the QuickCapture project.
Example workflows:
- Roadside observations and detailed inspections. A crew uses big buttons to rapidly capture common roadside issues such as potholes, damaged signs, or debris. If a button represents an issue that requires a full inspection, it opens a Survey123 form where the worker can add photos, assess severity, record measurements, and submit a more detailed report.
- Environmental monitoring and incident reporting. A field team records routine observations with QuickCapture buttons while moving through a site. When they encounter an exception, such as erosion, contamination, or an access issue, a linked Survey123 survey guides them through the additional information needed for investigation and follow-up.
- Event operations and public works. Staff use rapid capture to record common operational observations during an event or maintenance run. For specific cases, such as a safety concern or asset damage, they open a Survey123 form to capture a structured assessment, assign a priority, and provide supporting details.
- Damage assessment and triage. Teams can quickly classify observed damage using big buttons, then open a Survey123 survey when a more complete assessment is required. This allows rapid situational awareness and detailed reporting to work together without changing apps.
What works today, and what comes next
The first releases of Survey123 Mobile are not intended to provide full parity with the current QuickCapture mobile app. We still have work to do. Some QuickCapture capabilities are available today, some are in development, and others are planned for future releases.
That is why customer testing and feedback are so important at this stage. We are adding functionality incrementally, and your feedback will help us understand which QuickCapture capabilities matter most for your workflows as you plan your migration.
To check the current status of QuickCapture capabilities in Survey123 Mobile, review the QuickCapture capability documentation. This documentation identifies which functionality is available, in development, planned, or not planned.
How to test your projects in Survey123 Mobile
The latest Survey123 Mobile beta builds are available through the Survey123 Early Adopter Community and will typically include features and fixes before they are released through the app stores. If you’re new to EAC, you will need to create an account first (Sign up for the Survey123 Early Adopter Community). You can also download Survey123 Mobile from the app stores and the Survey123 resources page to test your existing workflows using the most recent public release.
When testing, start with the QuickCapture projects that are most important to your organization. Open each project in Survey123 Mobile, try the most common capture paths, and note any gaps that would prevent your team from migrating. Share your feedback through the EAC feedback channel:
- Which project types work well today?
- Which buttons, inputs, variables, or capture patterns are not yet supported?
- Which capabilities are required before you can move your users to Survey123 Mobile?
- Which improvements would make the combined Survey123 and QuickCapture experience better for your teams?
Note: You do not need to reauthor your existing projects to test them in the beta app. Your projects will appear on the app’s downloads page.
We need your feedback
We know migration planning depends on confidence. Customers need to understand what is supported today, what is coming next, and what changes may be needed for existing projects. Your testing will help us prioritize the QuickCapture capabilities that matter most.
Please use the Early Adopter Community to share feedback, report issues, and tell us which QuickCapture capabilities you need to successfully move your workflows to Survey123 Mobile.
This is a transition, and we want to make it a successful one. Survey123 Mobile gives us a modern foundation for the next generation of field data collection, while preserving the value of rapid, big-button capture. With your feedback, we can continue to improve the experience and help organizations bring their QuickCapture and Survey123 workflows together in one place.
