Mobile
Managing Blackboard App Session Timeouts and Session Controls – 4000.4
Impact: All Users
Updated Help Topic: Session Management
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Blackboard has updated the default session timeout for Blackboard App (mobile). The default session duration has been extended from 3 hours to 336 hours (14 days). This change applies only to institutions that have not previously customized their mobile session timeout setting. If your institution has already adjusted this value, your configuration will remain unchanged. This change supports a smoother mobile experience for Blackboard App users.
Administrators can review and adjust mobile session timeout and session control settings to balance security requirements with student convenience. These controls are available in Account Lock Settings under the Security section of the Administrator Panel.
Key options include:
- Mobile App Token Timeout: Defines how long a user stays signed in before reauthentication is required (configurable from 1–336 hours).
- Inactive Session Timeout: Sets the maximum idle time before automatic logout.
- Concurrent Session Control: Limits the number of devices or browsers a user can be signed into at once.
Feature behavior includes:
- The new default timeout reduces unexpected logouts for students, improving continuity across devices and sessions.
- Institutions with customized timeout settings will not be affected by this change.
- All session controls can be updated at any time; changes take effect immediately for new sessions.
- Adjusting these settings can help reduce support tickets related to login interruptions and align with compliance standards such as GovRamp and NIST.
If students report frequent logouts, review your mobile session timeout settings to ensure they align with your institution’s needs.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Manage session timeout and session controls from Account Lock Settings under the Security section of the Administrator Panel.