Getting started with ArcGIS Pro

These steps are for people who already have an ArcGIS Pro license. If a colleague needs ArcGIS, point them to the AntSoft software catalog so they can place their own order.

Overview

What ArcGIS Pro is, and how the license works.

ArcGIS Pro is Esri's professional desktop app for mapping, spatial analysis, and working with geographic data. Product details are at esri.com/arcgis-pro.

UC Irvine licenses ArcGIS Pro as a named-user license through the campus ArcGIS Online organization at ucirvine.maps.arcgis.com. The license is tied to your UCI account, so there is no product key to type in. It's one license per person: you only need one, and it can't be shared or split between people. You download the app from the portal, then sign in with your UCInetID to activate it.

No activation code or license file. Your UCI account is your license. Once your named user is set up, signing in to ArcGIS Pro activates it automatically.

Set up your ArcGIS account

Your first sign-in to the UCI ArcGIS Online organization creates your named user.

Now that your order is approved, you have a named user in UC Irvine's ArcGIS Online organization. Set the account up once before you download.

Go to the UCI ArcGIS portal: ucirvine.maps.arcgis.com, then select Sign In.
Choose the UCInetID (UC Irvine) sign-in option and authenticate with your campus single sign-on, the same login you use for AntSoft.
If this is your first time, follow the short prompts to finish setting up your ArcGIS account. Accept the terms if asked. You now have an ArcGIS Online account inside the UCI organization.

Got an invitation email from Esri or "ArcGIS Notifications"? Some accounts are set up by invitation. If you received one, open it and follow the link to join the UC Irvine organization and finish creating your account. When it asks how to sign in, choose your organization / enterprise (UCInetID) login rather than a personal ArcGIS account.

Don't see a named user, or can't sign in after a day? Email oit-licenses@uci.edu and we'll check that your seat is assigned.

Sign in and download ArcGIS Pro

Download the installer from your account in the portal.

Sign in at ucirvine.maps.arcgis.com with your UCInetID.
Open your account menu: select your name or initials in the top-right corner, then choose My settings.
Go to the Licenses tab. You should see ArcGIS Pro listed as one of your licenses.
Select Download next to ArcGIS Pro, pick the current version, and save the installer to your computer.

Before you install, it's worth a quick look at the ArcGIS Pro system requirements to confirm your computer is ready.

Install ArcGIS Pro

Run the installer you just downloaded.

Find the downloaded installer (usually in your Downloads folder) and run it.
Follow the prompts to accept the license agreement and install. The defaults are fine for most people.
Wait for the install to finish. It can take several minutes.

Managed computer? If your machine is managed by a departmental CSC (Computing Support Coordinator), they can install ArcGIS Pro for you, or push it through your management tool. Reach out to them first if you don't have permission to install software.

Sign in and activate

Signing in to ArcGIS Pro checks out your named-user license. This is what activates it.

Open ArcGIS Pro. A sign-in screen appears.
Choose the option for Your ArcGIS organization's URL (sometimes shown as "enterprise login").
Enter ucirvine as the organization, so the URL reads ucirvine.maps.arcgis.com, then continue.
Select the UCInetID sign-in and authenticate with your campus single sign-on.
ArcGIS Pro opens, signed in and licensed. There is nothing else to enter.

Tip: Leave Sign me in automatically checked so you don't have to sign in every time you open the app.

Using a Mac?

ArcGIS Pro is a Windows application; it does not install directly on macOS. If you're on a Mac, you have two good options:

ArcGIS Online runs in your browser on any computer, including a Mac. See the section below.
Run ArcGIS Pro inside a Windows virtual machine (for example Parallels Desktop) or on a separate Windows PC.

If you're not sure which fits your work, email oit-licenses@uci.edu and we'll help you choose.

ArcGIS Online (in your browser)

Your UCI account also gives you ArcGIS Online, a web version for making maps, sharing data, and light analysis with nothing to install.

Getting access: go to ucirvine.maps.arcgis.com, select Sign In, and choose the UCInetID login.

Students building a StoryMap? Student accounts have a 2 GB storage target. Two easy habits keep you well under it. See Keep your StoryMap light (printable PDF).

Extensions and your license

Extensions such as Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, and Network Analyst are granted as part of your named-user license by the ArcGIS administrator. You'll find whatever you've been assigned under My settings ▸ Licenses in the portal, and inside ArcGIS Pro under Settings ▸ Licensing.

Need an extension you don't have? Email oit-licenses@uci.edu with the extension name and we'll see what your license allows.

Troubleshooting FAQs

"You are not licensed to use ArcGIS Pro"

This almost always means the app signed you in to a different ArcGIS account than the licensed UCI one. Sign out inside ArcGIS Pro (top-right account menu), then sign back in using Your ArcGIS organization's URL = ucirvine.maps.arcgis.com and your UCInetID.

It asks for a personal ArcGIS username and password

Don't create or use a personal ArcGIS account. Choose the organization / enterprise sign-in and enter ucirvine, which sends you to UCI single sign-on.

I signed in but don't see ArcGIS Pro under my licenses

Your named user may not be assigned the ArcGIS Pro license yet. Give it up to a business day after approval, then email oit-licenses@uci.edu so we can check the assignment.

Official Esri help

Tutorials and learning

Need help?

If you get stuck, email oit-licenses@uci.edu and the OIT licensing team will help you out. If your computer is managed by a departmental CSC (Computing Support Coordinator), they're also a great first stop for installation help.