Use the mobile app for canvas review
Open canvases on iOS or Android, check comments, make quick updates, and stay in the review loop.
Mobile is for staying in the loop, not replacing your desk
Use the ALLO mobile app to review canvases, open shared links, reply to comments, check what changed, and make quick updates when you are away from a computer. It is strongest as a review and collaboration surface.
Mobile can also handle workspace settings, canvas export, and print flows when those controls are available to your account. Use web or the desktop app when a task needs a larger screen, precise pointer control, heavy file handling, or printer/browser controls. Billing and payment management are the main mobile exception: use web or desktop for payment methods, invoices, plan changes, seats, storage add-ons, and AI credit purchases.
Availability
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Available on | All plans |
| Available for | iOS and Android |
| Best for | Canvas review, comments, shared links, quick checks, lightweight edits |
| Use web or desktop for | Billing and payment management, or work that needs a larger screen |
| Permissions | Mobile follows the same workspace and canvas permissions as web and desktop |
For the difference between workspace membership, guest access, and canvas permission, see Roles and access.
What you can do on mobile
| Task | Mobile fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open a canvas | Good | Use links, Home, Recent, or shared access. |
| Review content | Good | Pan, zoom, inspect, and follow discussion. |
| Comment or reply | Good | Best mobile collaboration workflow. |
| Check mentions and updates | Good | Use notifications and Inbox where available. |
| Make small edits | Good when the edit is simple | Use desktop for precise or complex edits. |
| Open shared links | Good | Access still depends on permissions. |
| Join canvas audio/video calls | Not supported yet | Use web or desktop for canvas calls. |
| Manage billing or payment | Not available on mobile | Use web or desktop for billing, payment methods, invoices, plan changes, seat changes, storage add-ons, and AI credit purchases. |
| Change workspace admin settings | Supported | Use workspace settings on mobile. Web or desktop can be more comfortable for long admin work. |
| Export or print | Supported | Use the mobile export or print flow. Web or desktop can be more comfortable for large previews, file handling, and printer controls. |
Open work on mobile
After signing in, open Home or the relevant workspace area and choose the canvas or shared item you need. If someone sent you a link, tap it from your messaging or email app. Depending on your device, the link may open the ALLO app or a browser first.
If the link asks you to sign in, use the account that has access. If the link opens but the canvas is read-only, your permission may be view/comment only. See Open a shared canvas on mobile and When work is read-only.
Review a canvas
On mobile, focus on understanding and responding:
| Review action | Tip |
|---|---|
| Pan and zoom | Move around the canvas before editing. Large canvases can take longer to load. |
| Check context | Look for comments, labels, nearby objects, and linked resources. |
| Use comments | Ask questions in place instead of sending a separate chat message. |
| Follow links | Open shared resources when you have permission. |
| Handoff | Move to desktop or web if you need precise layout or bulk changes. |
If a canvas is too large to navigate comfortably on mobile, open it in web or desktop. The desktop app is better for sustained canvas work. See Desktop app or browser.
Make quick edits
Mobile can support lightweight edits where the controls fit the screen and your permission allows editing. Examples include quick text changes, minor comment-linked fixes, or small review updates. Use good judgment: if the edit requires precise alignment, multiple object selection, bulk formatting, complex files, or careful export review, do it on web or desktop.
If edit controls are missing, check whether the canvas is read-only, your role lacks edit access, the object state blocks editing, or the control is not visible in the current mobile view. Use When work is read-only to separate permission issues from screen-state issues.
Use comments on mobile
Comments are the main mobile collaboration workflow. Use mobile to read threads, reply, mention teammates, and keep decisions moving while away from your desk. For detailed comment behavior, see Use comments on mobile and Comments and mentions.
If the keyboard covers the area you need, close and reopen the comment, rotate the device if helpful, or use desktop for a longer reply.
Canvas audio/video calls are not currently supported in the native mobile app. If a review needs live audio or camera, join from the web app or desktop app, then use mobile later for comments, mentions, and follow-up review.
Open shared canvases
Shared canvases follow the same access rules on mobile as everywhere else. A link can be view-only, comment-only, edit-enabled, limited to workspace members, or unavailable because it was revoked or the work was deleted.
If you are outside the workspace, the owner may need to grant external access. If you are a workspace member but cannot open the link, check that you are signed in with the right account. See Open a shared canvas on mobile and Share a canvas.
Mobile notifications
Mobile notifications depend on both ALLO notification preferences and iOS or Android notification permission. If you do not receive comment or mention notifications, check app settings, system notification settings, Do Not Disturb, focus modes, and whether you are signed into the correct account.
If desktop badge behavior is the issue instead, see Use notifications and badges.
Handoff to desktop or web
Use desktop or web when:
| Situation | Better surface |
|---|---|
| Canvas is large, dense, or hard to navigate | Desktop app |
| You need exact alignment or formatting | Desktop app or web |
| You need a larger export preview, file handling, or printer controls | Web or desktop |
| You are managing billing, payment methods, plan changes, seats, storage add-ons, or AI credit purchases | Web or desktop |
| You are changing many workspace roles or members | Web or desktop can be more comfortable |
| You are troubleshooting desktop-specific behavior | Desktop app |
Send yourself the link, use Recent, or open the same workspace on desktop. Because ALLO is account-based, you do not need to move files between mobile and desktop.
Troubleshooting mobile work
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas will not open | Wrong account, permission, revoked link, deleted work, or old app | Update the app, check account email, and use When you can't access work. |
| Canvas opens read-only | Permission, share setting, or item state | Use When work is read-only. |
| Comment controls are hard to use | Keyboard, small screen, or long thread | Use Use comments on mobile or switch to desktop. |
| App is slow on a large canvas | Canvas size, network, or device limits | Wait for loading, close other apps, or use desktop. |
| Billing controls are missing | Mobile is not the billing surface | Use web or desktop and see Open billing. |
| Work differs from desktop | Wrong account, stale app, or permissions | Compare account email and refresh/update. |
When to contact support
Contact support when the latest app cannot open work that web and desktop can open with the same account, comments fail only on mobile, or shared links consistently route wrong on mobile. Include device model, OS version, app version if visible, account email, workspace name, link, and whether web or desktop works.
Related articles
- Give feedback with comments and mentions
- Use Home
- Members, guests, and external collaborators
- Desktop app or browser
- When you can't access work