Are you an ArcGIS Survey123 user? If so, there is a new Survey123 generation that you will want to hear about!
As Survey123 approached its 10th anniversary, Esri took the opportunity to modernise the platform, introducing a new generation of Survey123 with an improved user experience as well as enhanced capabilities. Although the July 2026 release is just the start of the journey, it is really important that you and your organisation start paying attention now.
This isn’t simply another product update. The next generation of Survey123 represents the future direction of the platform, and while there is no immediate requirement to migrate, every organisation will need to consider its long-term transition strategy. This first release could be viewed as an awareness and testing phase. By understanding the changes early and testing the new experience as it evolves, you’ll be better positioned to plan your migration approach and take full advantage of the capabilities being introduced along the way.
In this blog, we will explore what is changing, what is available today, and why now is the perfect time to start familiarising yourself with the future of Survey123. There is plenty to learn so lets crack on!
Survey123 Mobile and Survey123 Studio
So, what makes the new generation so different from a standard update?
You may have noticed that Esri has released two new Survey123 applications as part of the July 2026 update: Survey123 Mobile and Survey123 Studio. Together, these applications form the next generation of ArcGIS Survey123. 
Survey123 Mobile will be the new field application for completing surveys and collecting data in the field, while Survey123 Studio is the new environment for creating, managing and publishing surveys. While the names may be new, you may be thinking that the roles these apps feel familiar. Survey123 Mobile is the successor to the Survey123 field app, and Survey123 Studio will replace Survey123 Connect.
There will be no immediate retirement of Survey123 Connect or the original Survey123 field app. So no need to panic! Instead, the new apps will run alongside the existing applications while additional functionality continues to be introduced to reach parity.
Survey123 Connect and Survey123 Field App will eventually be retired and replaced, as discussed in this article. This is why it is so important for you and your organisation to start planning and testing the new functions now, to ensure a smooth transition of existing workflows to the new apps.
Getting started with Survey123 next gen
There are several steps you can take today to better understand the platform and prepare for the future.
Explore Survey123 Mobile and Survey123 Studio to familiarise yourself with the new experience and understand how these new applications differ from the tools you use today.
Test existing surveys, where possible, to assess compatibility and identify any workflows that may already be suitable for the next generation.
Experiment with new capabilities that were not previously available in Survey123. Even if migration is not currently an option for your organisation, these features can provide valuable insight into the future direction of the platform.
Engage key users and administrators early so they can build familiarity with the new applications and help shape future adoption plans.
As you work through these steps, you may discover that the new apps already provide the functionality your organisation needs to make the move today. If that’s the case, there’s no need to wait, you can migrate now!
Early adopters
As well as the steps outlined above, if you are in a position to do so, I would strongly recommend signing up for the Survey123 early adopters forum. This forum gives you chance to download early access to upcoming Survey123 releases, the opportunity to provide feedback directly to the product team and valuable time to assess how new releases fit your existing surveys, projects, and workflows.
What’s available today in the Survey 123 next gen
Beyond the long-term vision, Survey123 already offers new features and improvements that you can start exploring now. So, what can the next generation of Survey123 actually offer today?
Mapping functionality improvements
Field staff can now work with more advanced web maps, making it easier to visualise assets, survey locations and previously collected information while out on site.
Improved map interaction and navigation tools help provide better geographic context for data collection, allowing users to understand exactly where they are in relation to other features and records.
Tabular repeats
At Esri, we really do value the feedback you share with us, and one of the enhancements that was inspired by the Survey123 community is the tabular repeat view. Included in the new Survey123 Mobile, this was designed to provide more efficient and user-friendly ways to manage repeat records.
Rather than creating and submitting a separate survey for each item, users can now add multiple records within the repeat section of a single survey. For users with those larger surveys, this has just saved you some time!
If you are intrigued by what other new functions are available, I recommend giving this blog a read.
Final thoughts
The next generation of Survey123 represents an exciting step forward for the platform, bringing new capabilities today and creating the foundation for many more in the future.
If there is one key takeaway from this blog, it is this – don’t wait until migration becomes a necessity before engaging with the next generation of Survey123. Take advantage of this awareness and testing phase to understand how the platform is evolving and begin getting hands-on with the future of Survey123 today.
As the next generation continues to evolve, we will keep sharing updates, guidance and best practices to help you to make the transition and get the most value from the exciting changes ahead.