Body
Environment
Canvas Catalogs at the Ann Arbor Campus
Audience: Learners who logged in to a Canvas Catalog using a Friend Account
Issue
We have updated the log in options for Canvas Catalog at U-M (Ann Arbor Campus). Beginning February 18, 2026, you will not be able to log in to Canvas Catalog using a Friend Account.
Important: This change will not affect learner enrollment or course progress.
Resolution
If you previously used a Friend account to log in, you will now sign in with the personal email address that you registered with instead of the Friend account user name.
Set Up Your Password for Canvas Catalog (First-Time Use)
You will need to set a password, for your personal email (Canvas Catalog account) by clicking the forgot password button.
- Visit: https://u-m-canvas.it.umich.edu/
- You will be directed to the following Canvas Catalog screen
- Click the Log in with Email button which is located on the right Canvas Catalog Log in tile.
- You will be directed to the Canvas Catalog Log in page.
- Enter the personal or non umich.edu email address you used to create the Friend Account.
- Click the "Forgot Password" link
- You will receive an email with instructions and a link to set your new password.
- Locate and click the link towards the bottom of the email.
- You will be directed to the following screen to change your log in password
Note: Two log in options are available via the drop down. Be sure that the non-friend account is selected (generally the second option)
- Enter and Confirm the new password
- Click Update Password
- You will be directed to your Canvas Student Dashboard
Log In After Setting Your Password
Moving forward, after you set your password, you can log in using:
- your personal email address
- your new password
Additional Information
Troubleshooting
If you did not receive the password reset email:
- Wait at least 5 minutes.
- Check your Spam, Junk, or Promotions folders.
- Make sure you are entering the exact email address linked to your previous Friend Account.
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center and mention that this is a Canvas Catalog friend account issue.