Canvas: Using the Mobile Apps

Overview

Canvas offers mobile applications that allow Cedar Crest College students and instructors to access courses, view announcements, communicate, and manage coursework from a smartphone or tablet.

Canvas mobile apps are available for Apple iOS and Android devices.

While the mobile apps provide convenient access to many Canvas features, some course activities and third-party tools work best in a supported desktop web browser.

Available Canvas Mobile Apps

Canvas offers different applications based on your role.

Application Intended Users Features
Canvas Student Students View courses, assignments, grades, announcements, discussions, and messages
Canvas Teacher Instructors Manage courses, communicate with students, review submissions, and grade assignments
Canvas Parent Parents or authorized observers Monitor student course activity when observer access is enabled

Note: Canvas Student and Canvas Teacher are the primary applications used at Cedar Crest College. Canvas Parent requires an authorized observer account and may not be available for College courses.

Download the Canvas Mobile App

Apple iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the App Store on your device.
  2. Search for Canvas Student or Canvas Teacher.
  3. Confirm that the application is published by Instructure.
  4. Select Get to download and install the app.
  5. Open the app after installation.

Android Phones or Tablets

  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. Search for Canvas Student or Canvas Teacher.
  3. Confirm that the application is published by Instructure.
  4. Select Install.
  5. Open the app after installation.

Official download links:

Sign In to Canvas

After installing the app:

  1. Open Canvas Student or Canvas Teacher.
  2. Select Find My School.
  3. Search for Cedar Crest College.
  4. Select the College from the search results, if available.
  5. Follow the sign-in prompts using your Cedar Crest College account.
  6. Complete any required Microsoft authentication or multifactor authentication prompts.

If Cedar Crest College does not appear in the school search, try entering the Canvas URL:

https://cedarcrest.instructure.com

Once authentication is complete, the app should display your Canvas Dashboard or course list.

Important: Use your Cedar Crest College account rather than creating a separate personal Canvas account.

Using Canvas Student

The Canvas Student app provides convenient access to common course activities.

Depending on your course and device, you can:

  • View your Dashboard and enrolled courses.
  • Read course announcements.
  • Access modules and course materials.
  • Review assignment instructions and due dates.
  • Submit supported assignment types.
  • Participate in course discussions.
  • View grades and instructor feedback.
  • Send and receive Canvas Inbox messages.
  • Review your Canvas Calendar and To Do list.

Access Your Courses

  1. Open the Canvas Student app.
  2. Select the course you want to access.
  3. Use the course navigation options to view assignments, modules, grades, or other available features.

Course navigation may vary depending on how your instructor has organized the course.

Submit an Assignment

  1. Open your course.
  2. Navigate to Assignments or locate the assignment within Modules.
  3. Select the assignment.
  4. Review the instructions and submission requirements.
  5. Choose the available submission option.
  6. Attach your file or complete the required submission.
  7. Submit your work and verify that the submission was successful.

Note: Not all assignment types or external tools support mobile submission. If you cannot complete an assignment in the app, use Canvas in a supported desktop browser.

Using Canvas Teacher

The Canvas Teacher app allows instructors to perform many common course management tasks from a mobile device.

Depending on course settings, instructors can:

  • View course information and assignments.
  • Read and post announcements.
  • Communicate with students through Canvas Inbox.
  • Review student submissions.
  • Grade supported assignments using SpeedGrader.
  • Provide feedback and comments.
  • Participate in course discussions.

Grade Student Submissions

  1. Open the Canvas Teacher app.
  2. Select the appropriate course.
  3. Open the assignment.
  4. Access the student submissions or SpeedGrader.
  5. Review the submitted work.
  6. Enter a grade or provide feedback.
  7. Save or submit the grade as required.

Recommendation: Use Canvas in a desktop browser for extensive course editing, complex grading tasks, and administrative settings that may not be available in the mobile app.

Manage Mobile Notifications

Canvas mobile apps can send push notifications about course activities, including announcements, messages, grades, and assignments.

To review your notification preferences:

  1. Open the Canvas mobile app.
  2. Open the app's Settings or notification preferences.
  3. Review the available push notification options.
  4. Enable or disable notifications based on your preferences.

You can also manage notification preferences through Canvas in a web browser under Account > Notifications.

Important: Your phone's notification permissions must also allow notifications from the Canvas app.

For additional instructions, see Canvas: Managing Your Notification Settings.

Limitations of Canvas Mobile Apps

Although Canvas mobile apps are convenient, they do not provide the same functionality as the full desktop browser experience.

Some limitations may include:

  • Certain quizzes and exams may require a desktop browser.
  • Third-party learning tools may not function correctly in the mobile app.
  • Some assignment types may have limited submission options.
  • Course editing and administrative features may be unavailable.
  • Specialized software and document editing may require a computer.
  • Proctoring applications may not support mobile devices.

Recommendation: Use a Windows or Mac computer with a supported browser for important assignments, exams, and course activities requiring specialized software.

Troubleshooting Canvas Mobile Apps

Unable to Sign In

  • Confirm that you selected Cedar Crest College.
  • Verify that you are using your College account.
  • Check your internet connection.
  • Complete any required authentication prompts.
  • Close and reopen the application.
  • Try signing in through a web browser to determine whether the problem is specific to the app.

Courses Are Missing

If a course does not appear in the mobile app:

  1. Refresh the course list.
  2. Confirm that you are signed in to the correct account.
  3. Sign in to Canvas using a web browser.
  4. Check Courses > All Courses.
  5. Verify that the course is published and available.

For more information, see Canvas: Missing or Unavailable Courses.

App Is Not Working Correctly

Try the following:

  1. Confirm that your device has an internet connection.
  2. Check the App Store or Google Play Store for updates.
  3. Close and reopen the application.
  4. Restart your device.
  5. If necessary, uninstall and reinstall the app.

Reinstalling the application may require you to sign in again.

Assignment or Quiz Will Not Open

Some course activities require a desktop browser or additional software.

Try accessing the activity from a computer using a supported browser.

If the problem continues, contact your instructor and submit an IT Support Request.

Additional Resources

Need Additional Assistance?

If you are having trouble installing, signing in to, or using a Canvas mobile application, submit an IT Support Request.

Include the following information:

  • Your device type (iPhone, iPad, or Android).
  • Whether you are using Canvas Student or Canvas Teacher.
  • A description of the issue.
  • Any error messages or screenshots.
  • Whether Canvas works correctly in a web browser.
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