Unified Blackboard App
Date Updated: 8 August 2022
Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Instructors, Assistants, and Graders
In the past we had two separate mobile apps: the Blackboard App and the Blackboard Instructor App. The two apps caused confusion for many instructors. They did not realize that they needed to use a different app to manage their courses.
With this release, we are consolidating to a single app for both instructors and students. The user experience will change based on the user’s role within a course. Instructors can use the updated Blackboard app for both Original and Ultra courses.
Action needed: Support for the Blackboard Instructor iOS and Android apps ends in September 2022. Instructors, Assistants, and Graders should download the Blackboard app for iOS or Android.
For administrators: There are no configurations needed. We encourage admins to notify instructors of the need to download a different app.
Blackboard App 7.5
Date Updated: 7 July 2022
iOS and Android
In this release, we fixed:
- An issue that prevented some users from being able to login properly when using force to web authentication.
- An issue that prevented users in accessing the courses that has custom availability (or) duration for the course, overriding the term’s duration settings.
Blackboard App 7.3
Date Updated: 25 May 2022
iOS and Android
In this release, we:
- Fixed an issue where some iOS users couldn't sign in properly.
- Made some small improvements and squashed few bugs for Android
Blackboard App 7.2.1
Date Updated: 11 May 2022
iOS
In this release, we fixed an issue that prevented some users from being able to login properly.
Blackboard App 7.2
Date Updated: 25 April 2022
iOS and Android
In this release, we fixed these issues:
- An issue with displaying feedback comments that are saved as draft
- An issue with discussion threads not loading
- Single Sign On (SSO) login issue for mobile app (only iOS)
Blackboard App 7.1.2
Date Updated: 17 March 2022
Android
In this release, we fixed an issue where content was not downloading for offline view.
Blackboard App 7.1.1
Date Updated: 17 March 2022
iOS
In this release, we’ve fixed an issue where content was not downloading for offline view.
Blackboard App 7.1.1
Date Updated: 11 March 2022
Android
In this release, we fixed a bug where the institution page was crashing for some users. Now the page no longer crashes.
Blackboard App 7.1
Date Updated: 7 March 2022
iOS and Android
In this release,
- Students can now access the institution pages from the mobile app.
- Point-based and point-range rubrics of Ultra courses is now supported.
- We fixed a few bugs related to LTI.
Blackboard App 7.0
Date Updated: 11 February 2022
iOS and Android
In this release, we updated mobile to support the new setting for tests and assignments that allow instructors to prohibit submissions after due dates.
We also fixed a bug where students couldn't see the list of recordings available in a course. Now students can view the list.
Blackboard App 6.12
Date Updated: December 15, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve squashed a few bugs and resolved app crashes.
Blackboard App 6.11
Date Updated: November 10, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve made small improvements to Progress Tracking.
We’ve also resolved bugs displaying incorrect rubric criteria.
Blackboard App 6.10.1
Date Updated: October 28, 2021
Android
In this release we’ve fixed an issue of collab sessions not loading within the course.
Blackboard App 6.10
Date Updated: October 20, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve made some small improvements and squashed a few bugs.
Blackboard App 6.9.1
Date Updated: October 7, 2021
Android
In this release we’ve fixed an issue of Collaborate sessions not loading within the course for Android users.
Blackboard App 6.9
Date Updated: September 27, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve improved the app login process for you! We’ve also made some small improvements and squashed few bugs.
You will need minimum iOS version 12.0 to access the new improvements.
Blackboard App 6.8.1
Date Updated: September 6, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve squashed some bugs and made some minor improvements.
Blackboard App 6.8
Date Updated: August 30, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve added journals to your courses!
You’ll now be able to:
- Communicate privately with your instructor via journal
- Add rich text and media when composing entries and comments
We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Journals are only available for Ultra course view in the Blackboard app.
Blackboard App 6.7
Date Updated: August 6, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve added progress tracking to your courses!
You’ll now be able to:
- Keep track of where you are with your course contents and assessments
- Mark content items complete
- Auto complete certain content items
We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Blackboard App 6.6
Date Updated: July 26, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve revamped the discussion board for Ultra courses!
You’ll now be able to:
- Access group discussions and graded discussions
- Add rich text and media when composing discussion threads and replies
Blackboard App 6.5
Date Updated: June 23, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve added improvements to grading:
- Your overall grade value will now be displayed in percentage.
- We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Blackboard App 6.4
Date Updated: May 26, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve added improvements to Collaborate! You’ll now be able to:
- Access all recordings available in Collaborate
- Receive reminders for live Collaborate sessions We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
These functionalities are only available for Ultra courses and requires minimum Learn version 3900.12.0.
Blackboard App 6.3
Date Updated: April 26, 2021
iOS
In this release we’ve fixed:
- An issue where grades for tests are not shown when the test has been made unavailable in an Original course
- An error when opening BeeLine Reader alternative formats
- A problem where incorrect announcements were loading when opened on the activity stream
- An issue where course pages do not properly load after viewing content
Android
In this release, we’ve made some minor improvements and bug fixes.
Blackboard App 6.2.2
Date Updated: March 30, 2021
iOS
In this release we’ve fixed a crash when opening courses, squashed some small bugs, and made some minor improvements.
Blackboard App 6.2.1
Date Updated: March 30, 2021
Android
In this release we’ve fixed a crash when opening courses, squashed some small bugs, and made some minor improvements.
Blackboard App 6.2
Date Updated: March 8, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve added messages to your courses.
You’ll now be able to:
- Access all messages from your courses
- Add rich text and media when composing messages
- Receive push notifications for new messages
We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Minimum Learn Version 3900.2 is required to support Messages on the Blackboard Mobile App.
Blackboard App 6.1
Date Updated: February 17, 2021
iOS
In this release, we’ve:
- Improved support for content linked in files when offline
- Fixed an issue where users were unable to access grade details and feedback in Ultra courses
- Fixed an issue that incorrectly labeled “draft” discussion board posts as “submitted”.
If you are experiencing issues logging in to the app, please reach out to your school/institution as they manage access to your courses.
Android
In this release we’ve:
- Improved support for content linked in files when offline.
- Fixed an issue where users were unable to access grade details and feedback in Ultra courses.
- Resolved an issue where discussion board items were not updating after deleting.
- Fixed an error when accessing Blackboard Assist.
If you are experiencing issues logging in to the app, please reach out to your school/institution as they manage access to your courses.
Blackboard App 6.0.1
Date Updated: February 4, 2021
iOS
In this release, we’ve fixed an issue that resulted in displaying multiple different questions randomly in a Test.
Blackboard App 6.0
Date Updated: February 1, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve improved access to Zoom LTI sessions.
Blackboard App 5.11.2
Date Updated: January 25, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve fixed an issue that resulted in some users being frequently logged out.
Blackboard App 5.11.1
Release date: January 20, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve fixed an issue that prevented some users from being able to access the upcoming courses.
Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Blackboard Learn Minimum Versions | Q4 2018 | Q2 2019 | Q4 2019 or Blackboard Learn SaaS*
*The Blackboard app functions in a limited capacity on older Blackboard Learn releases. Some features may not be available or fully functional on these releases: October 2014 | Q4 2015 | Q2 2016 | Q4 2016 | Q2 2017 | Q4 2017 | Q2 2018 |
| Mobile Web Services Building Block |
Blackboard recommends using version 94.9.12+ of the Mobile Web Services Building Block to ensure the best experience with the Blackboard app. The Mobile Web Services Building Block must be activated and registered with the Mobile Central Service to use the Blackboard app. To learn more, see Release Notes for Mobile Web Services (available in English and Spanish only). Mobile Web Services Building Block 94.9.6 is required for versions prior to Q4 2015. |
| Device OS |
iOS 11+ Please be advised that while the Blackboard app and Blackboard Instructor app can run on Android 6 and above, Google only provides security updates and support for Android 8 and above. |
Markets and verticals
The Blackboard app is available in all regions, countries, and territories supported by the Google Play and Apple App stores. The app is available to NAHE, ProEd, and K-12 clients for iOS and Android.
Description
The Blackboard app is designed especially for students and offers students an intuitive way to view and interact with courses. Students can receive mobile updates about courses, take assignments and tests, participate in discussions, join Collaborate sessions, and view grades.
The Mobile Web Services Building Block has been updated to provide additional data and functionality for the Blackboard app. To deliver the best user experience for the Blackboard app, we recommend that you update the Mobile Web Services Building Block to Version 94.9.12+.
Features
See the Blackboard app feature guide for a list of tools and capabilities in the app.
Additional notes for administrators:
- Ally for Ultra and Original courses.
- Announcements for Ultra and Original courses.
- Biometric login support.
- Students can complete Ultra course tests and assignments in the app.
- Institutions can add custom logos and default landing pages for students.
- Institutions can turn off the color display for grading in the Blackboard app.
- The ability to email instructors from the app's course outline is disabled to better align with institutional communication policies.
- Supports Apple Files on iOS devices. Learn more about cloud storage services and the app.
- Attach files to discussion posts. Check the minimum system requirements for discussion attachments.
- Users can download and view course files offline. Check the minimum B2 requirements for the offline content feature.
- In-app prompt for user reviews shows on the Activity Stream, Courses list, and Organizations list after users have interacted with the app for a minimum time period. After users leave a review or dismiss the prompt, it doesn't show again.
- The app supports courses and organizations.
- Users must accept the Blackboard Terms of Use on first access.
- iOS and Android platforms have a new user interface in version 3.0+.
- The Windows version of the Blackboard app is no longer supported and was removed from the Microsoft Store on December 31, 2019.
- You can use custom labels for login fields, to make it clear what credential to use.
- Collaborate Ultra sessions can be launched from courses in the app. Users are directed to a web browser to join the session.
- See Supported Files in Mobile Apps for a list of supported file types by platform.
- You can link to specific areas in the Blackboard app from other apps or web sites. See app to app launching information and schemas.
- Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive support. Students can use cloud-connected accounts to submit documents for class assignments.
- Blackboard app contains data caching for portions of the application. Here are the Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) cache expiration times:
- 30 second expiration on the course list and course overview. This expiration is user specific.
- 120 minutes on basic course information such as course id, name, and description. This expiration is system wide.
- 120 minutes on school search with MLCS. This expiration is system wide.
Language support
The language localization of the app is inherited from the device OS language setting, not the Blackboard Learn user language preference. Localization affects the language of the native user interface, but it does not affect course content.
- Arabic
- Bulgarian
- Catalan
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Italian
- Irish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Malay
- Maori
- Norwegian
- Nynorsk
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Russian
- Simplified Chinese
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Thai
- Traditional Chinese
- Turkish
- UK English
- US English
- Vietnamese
- Welsh
Dependencies
-
Blackboard recommends using version 94.9.12+ of the Mobile Web Services Building Block to ensure the best experience with the Blackboard app. The Mobile Web Services Building Block must be activated and registered with the Mobile Central Service to use the Blackboard app. To learn more, see Release Notes for Mobile Web Services (available in English and Spanish only).
- Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS).
App installation
Students can follow these steps to download and install the Blackboard app.
- From your device, access the appropriate online store.
- App Store® on your iPhone® or iPod touch®
- Google Play™ on your Android® device
- Search for Blackboard.
- Install the Blackboard app on your mobile device.
- Open the Blackboard app and search for the full name of your institution.
If you’re unable to find your institution, try modifying your search. If your school is part of a larger institution or district, try searching for that name instead.
- Log in with your Blackboard Learn username and password. These are typically the same credentials you use to access your Blackboard courses on a computer.
Learn more
If you have questions about this update, please reach out to our Blackboard Technical Support team on Behind the Blackboard (available in English only).
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