ArcGIS Field Maps

ArcGIS Field Maps enables users to capture and edit data with maps and forms using a mobile device like smartphones and iPads. The maps and forms used by Field Maps are configured by ArcGIS Field Maps Designer app. 

When you use Field Maps, the locations/positions can be collected with the GNSS receiver on your device or an external GNSS receiver like the Trimble DA2.

GNSS precision from smartphones vary. An accuracy of two meters or more is usual in smartphones. Higher precision can be acquired with an external GNSS receiver like the Trimble DA2.

Venues to share your field data using ArcGIS Online web maps and apps are not covered in this guide. Here is an example on how students shared their field work using ArcGIS Instant Apps, and how web maps are used in a narrative story map using ArcGIS StoryMaps.

ArcGIS Field Maps are available free for Android and iOS devices. Use Google Play (for Android devices) or Apple Store (for iOS devices) to find and install the ArcGIS Field Maps app.

1. Open the ArcGIS Field Maps app. Click the Sign in with ArcGIS Online button.
   
2. Select the option Your ArcGIS organization’s URL, enter carleton in the URL box and tap the Continue button.
   
3. Tap the Carleton College button to sign in using your Carleton user name and password.
   
   
4. After you are signed in, the Maps page displays ArcGIS Online maps you can access, which are the maps created by you or shared with you. Find the map you want to use. You will open the map after the app is properly configured.

   Not seeing your map? If the map is created by you or shared with you, try signing out and then signing back in. 

1. 1. Open Field Maps and sign in using your Carleton user name and password.
   2. Tap the Profile button on the top-left corner.

      

   3. In the Location section, the “Integrated“ Provider indicates Field Maps is using locations from the device’s GNSS receiver. If “Integrated” is not the listed selection, tap Provider to change it to Integrated. 
      

      

   4. Tap Done to return to the map list.

Pairing Device with the DA2 Receiver

1. Open Field Maps and sign in using your Carleton user name and password.
2. Tap the Profile button on the top-left corner.

   

3. In the Location section, the Provider is set to “Integrated” by default, which uses locations from the device’s GNSS receiver. Tap Provider to change it to the DA2 receiver that is paired with your device. 
   

   

4. If this is the first time Field Maps is configured to work with the DA2 receiver, you will be prompted to browse to the Trimble Mobile Manager folder, for example:
   
   1.  Tap the Browse button.
   2.  Tap your device for the location, then tap the Mobile Manger folder.
      
       

       

      

   3. Tap Open to open the Mobile Manager folder.
      

      

5. Confirm that the DA2 receiver is listed as the provider. For example:
   
   
   
6. Tap Done to return to the map list.

Field Maps supports different position capture techniques. Use the help files below to learn the different techniques and identify the one(s) you want to use.

Field Maps on Android devices

Field Maps on iOS devices

Collection settings are used to configure the Field Maps app for your data collection needs. The picture below displays the available settings for Field Maps on iPad as of June 2025. Review section “The Capture Techniques” to learn how the settings relate to the position capture techniques.

Configure the collection settings to best support your work before you start collecting data.

Settings that are applicable to most of the data collection workflow are:

Accuracy (more information)

Used to set the required minimum position accuracy and whether the positions must meet the 95% confidence level. You cannot collect a position when accuracy of the GNSS position is poorer than this minimum.

GPS Averaging (more information)

Averaging can improve position accuracy.  It can be used when collecting point positions, or individual vertices of lines and polygons. Averaging and streaming (see below) are mutually exclusive.

Streaming

Used to set the time or distance interval at which GNSS positions are collected automatically. Note that averaging (see above) cannot be performed when streaming.

Photo Upload Size (more information)
An important consideration when you attach many pictures to the collected positions, or have a limited internet connection.

After you have configured the Field Maps app to work with a GNSS receiver (integrated or external) and to support your data collection techniques, find your map on the map list. Tap the map to open it.

Use the instructions on the page below to learn how to collect the data with the data collection technique you chose.

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/field-maps/android/use-maps/capture.htm

You can also reference this short written tutorial “Collect Data in Field Maps“.