Canvas App Walkthrough

The Canvas app is formatted slightly differently than the version users might find online. These instructions are to help users navigate through the Canvas app found on Android and iPhone products. 

Dashboard

When you log into the Canvas app you are taken to the home page, or dashboard for your account. This lists all the courses you are enrolled in. Along the bottom of the screen there is a toolbar where you can access the other parts of the app. 

See Dashboard Customization to learn how to customize the Dashboard.

Calendar

This tab takes you to your Canvas calendar where you can find which assignments will be due on a given day. Drop-down menus under the name of the current month (i.e., “October”) and “Calendars” can help you filter which dates you see. You can also create a new To Do for yourself by tapping the round “+” button in the bottom right-hand corner. A dialog box will open that allows you to enter information for your new To Do. 

 

To Do

The “To Do” tab shows tasks that have been created for your courses that might not show up on the Calendar because they don’t have a specific due date in Canvas. The To Do list is usually a more accurate list of what needs to be done. 

Notifications

Notifications lets you know anytime anything about your course changes. For example, an assignment due date, a new grade, or a class announcement. You can also set up notifications to go directly to your email. (See Email Notifications below.) 

Inbox

This is the home base for your messaging center within Canvas. The “+” in the lower right-hand corner allows you to create a new message. You can filter out which messages you see based on course or person, by using the drop-down menus in the upper left-hand corner. 

 

Account Information

The three-bar menu in the uppermost left-hand corner shows information about your account. You can change which user is logged into the app, log out, get help, access bookmarks and more. 

Bookmarks

Bookmarks are a helpful tool for pages you need to access frequently. This feature is only available on Android devices.

1. Navigate into an assignment, module, or discussion
2. Tap on the icon in the top right corner
3. Select Add Bookmark and enter a title

To access the bookmarks you have created:

1. Tap on the icon
2. Select Bookmarks

Email Notifications

You can update your preferences on what Canvas notifications you receive in your email at any time. To do so:

1. Tap on the icon
2. Tap Settings
3. Select Email Notification
4. Adjust the notification settings of each item

Push Notifications

To update push / text message notifications:

1. Tap on the from the dashboard
2. Click Settings
3. Select Push Notifications
4. Adjust settings by tapping on the sliders for each item

Profile Picture

To add a picture to your profile on your account:

Android

1. Tap on the icon
2. Select Settings
3. Navigate to Profile Settings
4. Select Edit Photo
5. Upload your preferred photo

iPhone

1. Tap on the icon
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner
3. Select Take Photo or Choose Photo
4. Upload your preferred photo

Files

The “Files” tab shows files that you have uploaded to Canvas.