Brush Ninja is intentionally lightweight and works on most school devices, including older laptops and Chromebooks commonly found in classrooms.

This chapter explains which devices and browsers work best with Brush Ninja, and how to avoid common technical issues in the classroom.

If you’re unsure whether your setup will work, this should give you a clear answer.

What you need

Brush Ninja runs entirely in a web browser and does not require any software installation.

Students need a modern browser, an internet connection, and a way to interact with the screen, such as a mouse, trackpad, or touch input. No plugins, extensions, or downloads are required to get started.

A five-minute test before class

Before teaching with a new set of devices, try creating and exporting a very small animation yourself.

This quickly confirms that:

• the site loads correctly
• drawing tools work
• downloads are allowed
• exported GIFs can be opened

A quick test prevents most technical surprises later.

Recommended browsers

Brush Ninja works best in modern, up-to-date browsers. In most schools, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge provide the most reliable experience. Firefox and Safari on macOS and iPadOS also work well.

Keeping browsers updated is important, as older versions can cause issues with saving, exporting, or performance.

Very old browsers, such as Internet Explorer, are not supported. Systems that block downloads or browser storage may also prevent students from saving their work.

Chromebooks

Brush Ninja works well on Chromebooks and is widely used in schools.

Most issues are related to downloads and permissions rather than the app itself. Students should be able to download files and access the Files app to find their work.

If downloads do not appear, check that the school profile allows image and GIF files. Some managed accounts block these by default.

If animations feel slow, reducing the number of frames or canvas size usually solves the problem.

Windows and macOS computers

Brush Ninja runs well on most modern laptops and desktop computers.

Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari provide the best experience. Typical school devices with around 4GB of memory are sufficient for most projects.

A mouse or trackpad works well for drawing, and graphics tablets can be used if they are already set up.

Tablets and touch devices

Brush Ninja supports touch input and works on tablets, including iPads and Android devices.

On iPads, Safari and Chrome both work well on recent versions of iPadOS. A stylus can improve control, but it is not required. Android tablets also work in Chrome, although performance varies depending on the device.

Smaller screens can feel more restrictive, especially for longer projects, and file management can be less straightforward.

Shared and managed devices

On shared computers, students should always export their work before logging out. Browser storage may be cleared automatically, so it should not be relied on.

If a device resets or a session ends, any unexported work may be lost. Exporting regularly is the safest approach.

Network and filtering

Brush Ninja needs access to the main website and the ability to download files.

If the site does not load or exporting fails, check web filters, firewall rules, or proxy settings. Some filtering systems may block downloads, media files, or browser features used by creative tools.

Storage and downloads

Student work is saved as files on the device being used.

Make sure downloads are allowed, the Downloads folder is accessible, and students know where their files are saved. On cloud-based systems, they may need to move files into their usual storage location after downloading.

Performance

For smooth performance, it helps to keep animations relatively simple. Very large canvases or long animations with many frames can slow down older devices.

Closing unused tabs and restarting slow devices can also help. Most simple projects run well, even on modest hardware.

More optimisation tips are available in the Performance Guide.

Accessibility

Students can work with a mouse, touch screen, stylus, or trackpad. Some students find touch input easier, while others benefit from larger screens and precise pointing devices.

Activities can also be adapted by reducing drawing complexity and focusing on simple movement rather than detailed artwork.

If students use assistive technology, it is worth testing activities in advance and adjusting tasks where needed.

You can read more in the accessibility statement or download the VPAT below.

Download the Brush Ninja VPAT (PDF)

Quick checklist before a lesson

Before running a lesson, check that:

• The site loads on all devices
• Browsers are up to date
• Downloads are enabled
• At least one test export works

A quick check here can prevent most issues.

Common problems

• If the page is blank, try refreshing, checking filters, or switching browsers.
• If buttons are missing, update the browser or reset zoom to 100%.
• If files are not saving, check download permissions and folder access.
• If performance is slow, reduce frames, close tabs, or restart the device.
• If touch input feels inaccurate, zoom in or use a stylus if available.

When to involve IT support

You may need IT support if downloads are blocked, browser storage is disabled, the site is filtered, or student profiles reset frequently.

Sharing this guide with technical staff can help resolve issues more quickly.

See also

• Performance optimisation guide
• Accessibility statement
• VPAT download
• Troubleshooting exporting problems
• Animation Maker

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