Migrating Sideloaded MMPKs from Explorer Android 18.1.0 to 20.1.0

ChrisDunn1 · ‎03-05-2020

If you had sideloaded MMPKs in the previous version of Explorer on Android, you probably noticed that they are no longer appearing in your list of maps after updating to the new version. Don't worry! They haven't disappeared, they just need to be moved to a new location on your device's storage. With the new release of Explorer for ArcGIS version 20.1.0 on Android we had to change the location for sideloaded content due to some restriction changes coming in Android. Here’s a quick rundown for where the sideloaded MMPKs and basemaps need to go.

The sideload locations are created on initial launch and can be found by looking in the apps directory at each storage location – this could be the internal primary storage OR an SD card (see below for example). So if you launch Explorer on a device with an SD card, you should see the folders below get created where you can sideload the data:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.esri.explorer/files/ (Android primary storage)

basemaps (sideloaded basemaps)
- redlands.tpk (sideloaded basemap)
mappackages (sideloaded mmpks)
- RedlandsHydrants.mmpk (sideloaded map)
Named_user@ORGID (user download location)
- …

For devices that had data in the old location, you can either re-sideload the content or you can use the file manager app on the device to move the MMPKs to the new location. Note: if the files are copied while the app is open you’ll likely have to refresh the Browse Maps view for the maps to appear.

Leave a comment below or email Explorer4arcgis@esri.com if you have any questions or problems getting your MMPKs to appear and we hope you're enjoying all the new features in version 20.1.0!

KalSsin · ‎03-11-2020

Hi~~

At first I saw the mmpk file in "mappackages" but now I don't see it.

ChrisDunn1 · ‎03-12-2020

Hi Kal,

I'm sorry you're having trouble. Can you tell us a little more about the steps you took? Did you upload a new mmpk using the Android File Transfer tool? Or did you move it from one location on the phone to another using the Files app? Did you see the mmpk in the Explorer app and now it isn't showing up? Feel free to e-mail Explorer4arcgis@esri.com if you want to share any screenshots of what you're seeing.

Chris

SebastienPelletier · ‎03-12-2020

It's great, the new version works well. But I would like to make a comment, it would be more relevant for ESRI to update its documentation rather than writing in blogs.

It is very frustrating for everyone to encounter problems and that when we go to the documentation nothing is explained. I went around in circles for a long time until I found this blog.

ChrisDunn1 · ‎03-12-2020

Hi Sebastian,

I'm sorry you've had some frustrations as we update things. In this case you found a publishing bug, the documentation is hosted on multiple servers and the update only posted to one, if you refresh the page several times you will likely see the path listed in that section change between the old path and the new path. It should be fixed shortly. Thank you for letting us know that you were seeing the incorrect information. If you come across other problems, inconsistencies, or out-of-date information please do reach out using the "Feedback on this topic" link at the bottom of each documentation page.

Chris

KalSsin · ‎03-12-2020

Hi~~~ Cdunn

At first I saw the mmpk file in "mappackages" but now I don't see it.

At first, I could open an offline map, but now I can't open an offline map.

I can't see the offline map on the screen.

And there is always an error in downloading.

Always downloading is an error.

오래기

안녕하세요.

KalSsin · ‎03-12-2020

"""""if you refresh the page several times you will likely see the path listed in that section change between the old path and the new path. It should be fixed shortly""""""

I don't understand this very well.

Would you be more specific, please?

오래기

안녕하세요.

RyanUthoff · ‎04-15-2020

You mention that the reason why you changed the location for sideloaded content in Explorer is because of upcoming restrictions in Android. I'm assuming these restriction changes will be coming in a future Android update?

The reason I ask is because Explorer 20.1.0 currently does not work in our ArcGIS Enterprise environment (it's a long story, but the issue seems to be something with the newest version of Runtime because the new version of Collector also does not work, but Collector "Classic" works fine). I have already submitted a ticket with Esri support about this. With that being said, Explorer 18.1.0 works fine.

With the Android restrictions coming, is it possible that if we update our Android devices to the version of Android that includes these restrictions, that it will break the Explorer 18.1.0 app with our sideloaded content? This could be problematic as we already had to roll back several users to 18.1.0 and then a future Android update will break the only functioning version of Explorer that we have.

ChrisDunn1 · ‎04-16-2020

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for reaching out. I tested Explorer 18.1.0 on an Android 10 device and the side loaded mmpks in the original folder could still be accessed by the app, so you should be good to update to version 10. Android 11 is where the new restrictions will come in so I would advise holding off on upgrading to 11 (which I believe is slated to release sometime in May). That being said, ideally we will be able to solve the problem you're having at the Enterprise level so you can use Explorer 20.1.0. If you can share any details about the support tickets you've opened feel free to e-mail me at cdunn@esri.com. If you can share your ticket number, support contact, or any correspondence you've had with support that'll help us on the development team get up to speed on the issue.

Chris