Windows App

[AunnaMaschek]

I downloaded the canvas app for my windows computer. When I search for my school URL, it opens in a webpage rather than the app. Am I able to log into my school URL on the app?

[mzimmerman]

Hi @AunnaMaschek 

I'm not aware of a Canvas Student or Teacher app for Windows.  The only app information I see is for iOS and Android apps:

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-is-the-Canvas-Teacher-app/ta-p/69

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-is-the-Canvas-Student-app/ta-p/31 

Where did you find this Windows Canvas app that you installed?

[AunnaMaschek]

I recently got a new windows computer. When I went to log into Canvas, my computer recommended I download the app to the task bar, so I did. I just can't figure out how to use it to log in. 

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

@AunnaMaschek ...

I'm not sure why you would need to use that Canvas app that you have on your computer.  I searched the Microsoft Store, and there isn't a Canvas app.  Also, I used the "Search" screen in Windows like you show in your first screenshot, and I don't have a Canvas app like you show.  But, I do see that you have the Edge browser on your computer (icon is on the far left-hand side of your desktop and on the bottom of your taskbar/toolbar), and you should be able to log into your school's Canvas account using that rather than the Canvas app that you have on your computer.  (Maybe that app was just a shortcut or something?)  Have you tried logging in using Edge?

[AunnaMaschek]

Yes, I currently use edge or google chrome. I was just wondering if this app was a new option for windows. Thanks for the feedback. 

[KrystynaPaszkie]

I too found this app (and just wish I could remember how or where). It works as a Chrome extension and provides an icon that you can load to the task bar so you do not need to save a new Chrome profile or bookmark to get into the website. So far I have not seen any issues but would love to know where I found it so that I can show it to others.

[SteveSmaldon]

Yeah I have this app / chrome extension, on my old laptop. It opens and displays differently than chrome, canvas icon on desktop and taskbar. I want to get it on my new laptop but I have no idea where or how I got it in the first place.

[skdavis]

@KrystynaPaszkie 

I just looked for this for so long after I accidentally uninstalled and kept getting back to your answer, so I thought I'd share that I found it. Open Canvas in Chrome. Click the three dots in the very top right of the Chrome browser, next to your profile picture/account. Go down to the save and share option. There's an option to Install Canvas. Hope this works for you! 

[AlisonSneag]

This worked, thank you, thank you! I can't believe how difficult it became to add this app to a laptop. 

[chriscas]

Just to add a bit of additional info to this thread...

There is no official Canvas app for anything but iOS/iPadOS and Android.  The app being discussed here is really just web browsers doing some what I'll call "trickery" to make something that appears like an app but is really just opening a special version of the browser to the Canvas website.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend this app method because if becomes very unclear what browser is being used, whether it's being updated, etc.  The easiest way to access Canvas, again in my opinion, is to save it as a favorite in whatever your favorite web browser is.   Again, this is just my own recommendation, and I know it will make things more complicated for some users.  I think the most important thing for everyone to know is that Canvas is really a website/web service that can be accessed almost anywhere by a variety of devices as long as they are updated, have an internet connection, and a web browser.

Hope this helps a bit!

-Chris