TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
There are many ways to access Canvas. Below, we cover how to access Canvas via a Web browser and how to access Canvas via the Canvas Student App.
Web Browser (via a Laptop or Desktop)
We recommend using a personal laptop or desktop (Mac or PC) to access Canvas directly through your browser at canvas.upenn.edu and then logging in with your PennKey and Pennkey password. Using the latest version of your browser on your personal laptop or desktop computer provides the best user experience. By accessing Canvas through the browser directly, you will have an easier time navigating the tool, and since it is your personal device, you will be able to download all the software necessary for the class.
Please refer to the information below to verify if you are using the latest version of your browser:
- Check Google Chrome by going to chrome://settings/help in your browser.
- Check Firefox by clicking on the three horizontal lines in the top right and selecting Help, and then About Firefox.
- To update Safari on a Mac, you will go to System Updates and update your entire Operating System.
Use Cases
We recommend that you handle all crucial tasks related to deadlines, like submitting a paper, taking a quiz, or participating in a graded discussion, using a personal laptop or desktop computer.
Troubleshooting
If you experience any issues with the browser connection to Canvas pages, we recommend clearing your browser's cache and cookies as well as checking that you are running the most recent version of the browser.
Canvas Student App
Canvas mobile apps require Android 8.0 or later and iOS 16.0 or later. We recommend downloading the 'Canvas Student App' on mobile devices and tablets instead of using the native mobile browser to navigate to Canvas directly.
Please note: Canvas offers limited support for native mobile browsers on tablet devices. For additional details, please reference the limited-support mobile browser guidelines.
Use Cases
We recommend using the Canvas Student App for low-stakes interaction in the course, such as readings, viewing the syllabus, or viewing videos in your course.
We find it best to use the arrows at the top of the page to expand the screen to full screen and then use the next button located on the bottom right to navigate in the application. You will need to exit full screen by selecting the arrows again to get back to the Modules in the course. Since tablets and mobile devices have a smaller screen, not all aspects of the Canvas navigation will show at one time.
Troubleshooting
Please view the Canvas Student iOS Guide and the Canvas Student Android Guide for pages focusing on different aspects of the Canvas mobile experience, as not everything will appear the same as it does on a browser.
If many things are not working or are appearing incorrectly on the student app, you may have accessed Canvas through the native browser on your tablet or mobile device instead of the Canvas Student App. Please close out of everything and start again by selecting the Canvas Student App.
If you are looking for a course on your Student App and cannot locate it, it may not be favorited. Viewing my Courses on the Canvas Student App will provide step-by-step instructions on how to change your view.
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