Students often use the Canvas Mobile App on their smartphones or tablets. However, instructors and students may not realize that the functionality between the web version of Canvas and the mobile apps is different. Read on to learn the key differences.

Differences Between Canvas Web and Mobile Apps

Overall, Canvas on the web provides the full set of features and the most complete experience, while the mobile apps (iOS and Android) offer strong core functionality optimized for on‑the‑go use, but with some limitations compared to the browser version.

1. Navigation & Dashboard

  • Both web and app versions allow users to view courses, groups, grades, announcements, and the To‑Do list.
  • The web version supports all navigation features, while some app-specific capabilities (e.g., dark mode, widgets, switching users) are available only in the apps.
  • Certain features—such as viewing Scheduler appointments—are available on the web but not on mobile.

2. Assignments & Submissions

  • Students can view and submit assignments in both the web and mobile apps.
  • Mobile apps include extra device-specific features such as submitting assignments with the device scanner (camera-based scanning), which the web doesn’t offer.
  • However, peer reviews and some advanced assignment interactions, such as rubrics are fully supported on the web but not on mobile.

3. Discussions, Announcements, and Messaging

  • Creating and replying to discussions and announcements is supported across web and mobile.
  • Some advanced actions (e.g., certain attachment workflows or peer review visibility) may be limited or unavailable on mobile.

4. Calendar

  • All platforms allow viewing the calendar, but only the web version fully supports viewing Scheduler appointments and certain calendar interactions.
  • Adding calendar items is supported in the apps but not always at the same level of detail as the web.

5. Files and Profile Management

  • Users can access and manage files on all platforms, but full file management capabilities (e.g., permissions, extensive folder management) are usually more complete on the web.
  • The apps support essentials such as profile picture changes and user file viewing.

6. External Tools (LTIs)

  • External Tools (also known as LTIs) can not always be launched from the mobile apps.

7. Additional Mobile-Only Features

  • Mobile apps offer features not available in web browsers, such as:
    • Push notifications
    • Dark Mode
    • Widgets (iOS/Android)
    • Offline access to some content (depending on course settings)

Summary

  • The web version provides the most complete and fully featured experience, ideal for complex tasks such as detailed assignment review, participating in full discussions, editing content, and managing course settings.
  • The mobile apps are optimized for quick, on-the-go engagement, including checking grades, reading announcements, messaging, submitting simple assignments, and receiving notifications.
  • Some advanced or specialized features (peer reviews, full calendar interactions, rich text editing, extensive file management) remain web-only.

See the side-by-side comparison table for the Student app.

See the side-by-side comparison table for the Instructor app.