ArcGIS Collector

Deprecation Notice for Explorer, Collector, and Tracker

ArcGIS Field Maps was launched in October 2020 and replaces the functionality of ArcGIS Collector, ArcGIS Explorer, and ArcGIS Tracker on the iOS and Android mobile platforms. As of December 31st, 2021 these products are now deprecated. As of November 1st, 2022, they have been removed from Google Play and the Apple App store.

With deprecation:

Please refer back to the product lifecycles for Explorer, Collector, and Tracker if you have questions about what will/will not be supported.

Why are these apps being retired?

Field Maps is meant to simplify and streamline the Esri field apps suite. Having one app to install, sign into, and use makes the life of a mobile worker better. Having one app to test, validate onto your network, and deploy makes the life of an IT admin easier. We believe reducing the number of available apps will result in an easier to understand, easier to deploy, and easier to use field mobility strategy at your organization.

How should you transition to Field Maps?

We believe the transition to Field Maps will be a smooth process. The Field Maps app brings a familiar user experience so the onboarding process should be quick. Field Maps also works with the existing user types and licenses that mobile workers use in the retired apps, so no licensing changes are required. To learn more, you can read the Migrate to ArcGIS Field Maps blog post for more information on transition planning and migrating to Field Maps. It has a really great migration guide that will help you with your migration plan.

What about the Windows versions of Collector and Explorer? Will they be retired in December 2021 as well?

We are not actively in development of ArcGIS Field Maps on the Windows 10 platform, so Collector (Windows) and Explorer (Windows) will be supported for the foreseeable future. While they are not planned to retire – there are no additional enhancements planned for the Windows apps.

For users who need a Windows solution in active development, ArcGIS Survey123 and ArcGIS QuickCapture are active in their cross-platform development and continue to build new features on the Windows platform.

Additionally, ArcGIS Pro supports GPS-based data collection workflows (blue dot, map panning to keep blue dot centered, etc.). ArcGIS Pro already supports commonly requested features such as the Utility Network and the ability to operate completely offline for long periods of time.

What about the other field apps that were not a part of the initial release of Field Maps? When will they be retired?

ArcGIS Workforce and ArcGIS Navigator will be incorporated into Field Maps over time. When Field Maps reaches functional parity with these apps, we will ‘start the clock’ and give you a year to get transitioned over to Field Maps before moving those apps to ‘Retired’ status.

Where can I learn more about Field Maps? 

There are a variety of resources available that will get you up to speed with Field Maps, including the following:

About the author

Scott is a product manager working to make the power of geography accessible to everyone. He spends his time listening to user feedback and working to make ArcGIS Online the best darn SaaS out there.

Connect:

Next Article

Tracking the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S.

Read this article