To use Canva apps, open a design and select Apps in the editor side panel. Search for the app you want, select its icon to add it, and connect it if Canva asks, reviewing the permissions first. The app then opens in your side panel so you can use it on your design.
Canva's apps add extra tools to the editor: mockups, QR codes, AI voiceovers, charts, music, cloud storage and much more. Most people never look past the built-in tools, which is a shame, because a couple of the right apps can save you hours every month. Here's how they work and how to use them safely.
How to find and open an app in Canva
- Open any design in the Canva editor.
- Select Apps in the side panel on the left.
- Search for the app by name, or browse the categories.
- Select the app's icon to add it to your editor.
- If it asks you to connect, read the permissions and accept to continue.
- Use the app from the side panel, then drag the results onto your design.
Once you've used an app, it usually appears in your side panel for quick access next time, so you don't have to search again.
Popular apps made by Canva
The company lists a number of apps it builds and supports itself. These include:
| App | What it's handy for |
|---|---|
| Mockups | Putting your design onto a phone, laptop, mug or T-shirt photo |
| Dynamic QR Codes | QR codes for flyers, menus and business cards |
| Flourish | Interactive charts and data visuals |
| Magic Media | Generating images and video from a text prompt |
| Murf AI | Voiceovers for videos and presentations |
| Soundraw | Creating background music |
| Typecraft | Custom text effects |
| Google Drive | Pulling files straight from your Drive |
The catch: some apps are run by other companies
Not every app in Canva is made by Canva. Canva explains that some apps are developed and supported by third-party platforms, and you may need to connect them to your account and agree to that developer's own terms and privacy policy. Connecting doesn't install anything on your device, but an app may ask for permission to access your selected content, import or export files, upload media or connect to an outside service.
So before you connect, open the App Details and read what it wants access to. If an app asks for more than it needs, skip it. And if something goes wrong, check who made it: open the app, select More and look at Created by. If it says Created by Canva, contact Canva support. If it shows another name, use Get help with this app to reach that developer.
Why you can't use an app
- Your team admin has restricted apps. On team plans, admins can control which apps people use. Ask them to allow it.
- The app is English-only. Canva says some apps may only be available in English, so you'll see a warning if your Canva is in another language.
- It needs a connection you haven't made. Sign in to the outside service when prompted.
- It's a premium feature. Some app features may need a premium Canva plan or a plan with the app's own company.
Apps that are worth trying first
- Mockups for showing off your products, lead magnets and website designs.
- QR codes for anything printed that should lead somewhere online.
- Google Drive or another cloud storage app so you aren't downloading and re-uploading photos.
- A voiceover app for quick explainer videos when you don't want to record your own voice.
- A charts app for client reports and case studies.
For mockups in particular, my guide to website design mockup software explains when a mockup helps sell an idea.
How I'd use apps in a normal week
Here's a realistic example. On Monday I'd pull this week's product photos straight in from Google Drive rather than downloading them to my laptop first. On Tuesday I'd drop a new lead magnet cover into a laptop and phone mockup for the sales page and social posts. Midweek I'd add a QR code to the flyer for an event so people can book from the printed page. And on Friday, a short voiceover app saves me recording my own voice for a quick explainer reel. None of these are dramatic on their own, but together they remove four or five jobs I'd otherwise need a separate tool for, which is exactly what apps are for.
Building your own app for a team
If your business has an internal tool or workflow you'd like inside Canva, Canva says you can create team apps that are only available to your team. That's a developer job, but it can be worth it for larger teams that make a lot of on-brand content.
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Quick safety checklist
- Check who made the app before connecting it.
- Read the permissions in App Details.
- Don't connect apps to client accounts without asking.
- Remove app connections you no longer use.
My verdict
Canva apps are a quick way to add mockups, QR codes, charts, voiceovers and cloud files without leaving the editor. Open Apps in the side panel, search, add and connect if needed. Just remember some apps are run by other companies, so check who made it and what it wants access to before you say yes. For more tools that sit alongside Canva, see my guide to content creation sites worth using.
Frequently asked questions
Where are apps in Canva?
Open a design and select Apps in the editor side panel, then search or browse.
Are Canva apps safe?
Apps made by Canva are supported by Canva. Others are run by third parties, so check who made them and review their permissions before connecting.
Do Canva apps install anything on my computer?
No. Canva says connecting an app doesn't install anything on your device.
Why can't I use apps in Canva?
Your team admin may have restricted apps, the app may be English-only, or it may need you to connect an account first.
Who do I contact if a Canva app isn't working?
Open the app, select More and check Created by. Contact Canva for Canva apps, or use Get help with this app for others.
What apps does Canva make itself?
Examples include Mockups, Dynamic QR Codes, Flourish, Magic Media, Murf AI, Soundraw, Typecraft and Google Drive.
