Use comments on mobile
Review, reply to, and follow canvas comments from the mobile app.
Comments are the best mobile collaboration workflow
Mobile is often where comments shine. You can review a canvas, answer a question, mention a teammate, and keep decisions moving without needing the full desktop editing surface.
Comment access still depends on permissions. If you only have view access, comment controls may be missing. For the permission terms behind view, comment, edit, member, and guest access, see Roles and access. If you cannot open the canvas at all, solve access first with When you can't access work.
Availability
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Available on | All plans with comment-enabled work |
| Available for | iOS and Android |
| Who can comment | Users with comment or edit permission where comments are available |
| Best for | Replies, mentions, review decisions, quick clarifications |
| Use desktop for | Long editing sessions, precise canvas changes, or complex review cleanup |
Open comments
Open the canvas or shared link, then open the comment or discussion area available in that surface. On small screens, comments may appear in a panel, bottom sheet, overlay, or focused thread depending on the canvas and device. For the full comment lifecycle and the desktop/web side panel, see Comments and mentions and Use the collaboration side panel.
If you arrived from a notification, tap it to open the relevant work. If the notification opens the wrong account or says no access, check the email signed into mobile.
Reply to a thread
Use replies to keep the decision attached to the work. If the answer requires a long explanation, consider replying briefly on mobile and then handling the full edit on desktop.
Before sending, check that the keyboard did not hide the part of the canvas you meant to reference. If context matters, mention the object, section, or teammate clearly.
Mention teammates
Mentions can notify teammates if they have access and notification settings allow it. If a teammate does not receive a mention notification, possible causes include notification preferences, OS notification permission, wrong account, no access to the canvas, or muted email/mobile settings.
For broader notification behavior, see Manage notifications and Use Inbox.
Resolve or follow up
If your mobile surface shows resolve, reopen, or status controls, use them when the decision is actually complete. Do not resolve a thread just because you replied. A resolved comment should mean the question no longer needs attention.
If the action is not available on mobile, leave a reply and finish the workflow later on desktop or web.
Comments on shared canvases
A shared canvas may let you view, comment, or edit depending on how it was shared. If the owner gave you view-only access, you may not be able to comment. If the workspace blocks external comments, ask the owner for the correct access path.
See Open a shared canvas on mobile and Share a canvas.
Mobile keyboard and layout tips
| Situation | What helps |
|---|---|
| Keyboard covers the comment | Scroll the thread, close and reopen the keyboard, or rotate the device. |
| Long thread is hard to follow | Open the canvas on desktop for cleanup or detailed review. |
| You need to reference a specific object | Zoom and position the canvas before opening the comment. |
| You are writing a long reply | Draft carefully or switch to desktop if precision matters. |
| Comment controls disappear | Check permission, app version, and whether the thread is available in mobile. |
If comment controls are missing
Missing comment controls can mean:
| Cause | What to do |
|---|---|
| You only have view access | Ask the owner for comment or edit access. |
| You are signed into the wrong account | Sign out and use the invited email. |
| The work is unavailable | Use When you can't access work. |
| The control is not visible in the current mobile view | Check permission, update the app, or use web/desktop if the screen is too small for the action. |
| The app is old | Update from the App Store or Google Play. |
Troubleshooting comments
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Reply fails to send | Network, expired session, or permission change | Check connection, refresh/reopen, and sign in again if needed. |
| Mention does not notify teammate | Notification settings or access issue | Confirm teammate has access and notifications enabled. |
| Notification opens no access | Wrong account or changed permission | Sign in with the invited email or ask owner to reshare. |
| Thread is hard to read on phone | Screen size or long discussion | Use desktop or web for detailed review. |
| Keyboard covers controls | Mobile layout and keyboard safe area | Scroll, rotate, or reopen the comment. |
When to contact support
Contact support when comments fail only in the latest mobile app, a thread disappears on mobile but appears on web with the same account, or notifications consistently open the wrong mobile state. Include device model, OS version, app version if visible, account email, canvas link, and screenshots.
Related articles
- Use the collaboration side panel
- Give feedback with comments and mentions
- Use Inbox
- Use the mobile app for canvas review
- Open a shared canvas on mobile