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A public application is an app that allows user access anonymously, without requiring sign-in with an ArcGIS account. Public applications may use API key authentication or app authentication to authenticate requests to secure resources. These applications typically only access location services and specific items in a portal.

Developers with an ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise account may choose to omit authentication in public apps if the application only accesses items and resources with a sharing level of Everyone (public).

Also known as

  • public app

Related terms

  • anonymous user
  • private application
  • API key authentication
  • app authentication

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