UpKeep Nova Apps bring a next-generation, responsive application experience directly into your workspace and mobile devices. Built as custom utilities, these apps allow you to automate complex tasks, view custom dashboards, track work order histories, and trigger real-time actions using natural language—all with a simplified navigation menu on both desktop and mobile.
This guide outlines core capabilities, how to build and navigate custom apps on desktop, how to access and use Nova Apps on mobile (iOS and Android), best practices, and answers to common questions.
Overview
Nova Apps give your team tailored, purpose-built tools right inside UpKeep. Whether you are building an operational dashboard on desktop or executing a custom checklist in the field on mobile, Nova Apps connect CMMS, EHS, Edge, and external tools into unified command centers.
Key Capabilities
Nova Apps provide the following powerful features across desktop and mobile:
Find your apps faster: Access Chat, Scheduled Tasks, and your custom apps from the new Nova sidebar with a single click.
Pin your favorite apps: Mark any app as a Favorite to pin it to the top of your library and main navigation bar for instant access from anywhere in UpKeep.
Share apps with your team: Make custom apps available to specific teammates or everyone in your UpKeep account.
Open apps directly: Save a bookmark to your custom app and open it instantly—no need to navigate through the full UpKeep menu.
See how apps look on any device: Preview your app on desktop, tablet, and mobile before you publish it.
Access Apps on Mobile (iOS & Android): Launch and use your custom apps directly from the mobile home screen under the new Apps section.
Upload files directly in your apps: Let users attach photos and files to work orders, assets, parts, and more without leaving the app.
Multi-Product EHS, Edge & CMMS Data Integration: Build apps that read and write data across UpKeep CMMS, EHS, and Edge simultaneously to create all-in-one operational command centers.
Build smarter AI-powered apps: Create apps that can analyze images, summarize work orders, generate checklists, and help users complete tasks faster.
Connect apps to your maintenance workflows: Build apps that can start and stop timers, view equipment downtime, and work with data already in UpKeep.
Jump straight to the right record: Open specific work orders and other UpKeep records directly from Nova with reliable links.
Share feedback as you build: Rate your experience and send feedback directly from the app builder.
Step-by-Step Guide
Build and Optimize Nova Applications
Open Nova App Builder on desktop (app creation and editing are performed on desktop).
Instruct Nova to build or customize your app (e.g., "Build a work order closeout assistant and optimize the layout for mobile").
Build and Preview Your Experience. Use the device preview toggles to view how the app renders on desktop, tablet, and mobile interfaces.
Build an EHS / Edge / CMMS Combined App. Open Nova App Builder. Instruct Nova to connect data from CMMS, EHS, and Edge (e.g. "Build a dashboard combining open CMMS work orders, Edge sensor alert readings, and EHS audit compliance").
Iterate Conversations with Nova: Type requested modifications or operational edits directly into the Nova interaction panel (such as adding file upload fields, LLM-powered checklist generation, or CMMS links). Nova will automatically rebuild and update the app's logic in real time.
Track Credit Usage: Building and executing custom apps consume workspace credits. You can check your available limits and usage directly within your subscription settings.
Accessing Nova Applications on Desktop and Mobile
Open and Manage Your Apps Library. Browse your available applications. Click Favorite (star icon) on any app to pin it to your navigation bar and top of library.
Access the Nova Sidebar: Log in to your UpKeep account and click Nova in the left-hand navigation sidebar to open the dedicated workspace containing Chat, Scheduled Tasks, and your Custom Apps.
Launch a Custom App. Click on any app card in your library.
On mobile, tap the Apps section to open your custom apps library.
Tap on any published custom app to open and execute it in the field.
When prompted in an app field, tap the Camera button to snap and upload photos directly.On web, launch a Custom App. Click on any app card in your library.
Share and Bookmark Custom Apps
In the Nova App Builder, click Share to grant access to specific team members or the whole account.
Copy the Standalone Link to bookmark the app for quick one-click launching.
💡 Best Practices
Build on Desktop, Use on Mobile: Design and refine your custom apps on desktop using Nova App Builder, then deploy them for technicians to use on mobile devices.
Request Mobile Layouts: Explicitly prompt Nova to "optimize for mobile layout" during app creation to ensure clean touch targets and scannability on phone screens.
Check Mobile Previews: Always test your app layout in mobile preview mode before sharing it with field technicians.
Leverage Mobile Camera Features: Incorporate file/photo upload fields into mobile apps for seamless image capture during field inspections.
Favorite High-Frequency Apps: Encourage team members to favorite their daily mobile apps so they appear right at the top of their App library.
🎯 Common Use Cases
Quick-Access Dashboards: Favorite a custom parts reordering app or a workload overview sheet so it sits permanently on your sidebar for immediate access.
Asset Check-In/Check-Out: Create standalone apps for toolcribs or equipment storage, logging when assets are checked in/out and monitoring active timers.
Custom Status Filtering: Filter and organize work orders based on custom statuses that match your organization's unique workflows.
AI-Powered Image Scanning & Summary: Build apps that use LLMs to scan images of equipment tags or analyze work order histories to write instant summaries.
File & Photo Attaching: Build custom utilities that let technicians snap a photo or upload stored files directly to parts, assets, and work orders in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I share apps with my team?
You can share apps directly with individual team members or with the entire account.
Are "Favorites" shared across all users?
No. Favorited apps are saved per user. Pinned navigation bar additions and reordered structures only apply to the individual user who marked the app as a Favorite.
How do I create a new custom app?
You can build custom applications directly in your account using the Nova App Builder, or our technical support team can securely build and deploy custom apps on your behalf.
Do standalone apps require logging into UpKeep?
Yes, standalone links provide a distraction-free shell for your app, but users must still have a valid, logged-in UpKeep account with the appropriate permissions to access the data.
What should I do if I encounter a bug?
Please report any unexpected behavior to our Technical Support team, or simply tell Nova what isn't working and let it attempt an app-level fix. You can also easily rate your experience and provide direct feedback using the feedback button inside the builder.
Can I build or edit custom Nova Apps on mobile?
No. Mobile is optimized for launching and using custom apps in the field. Building, prompt editing, and configuring app logic should be done on a desktop web browser.
Which mobile operating systems support Nova Apps?
Nova Apps are supported on the latest versions of both iOS and Android UpKeep mobile applications. Make sure your app is updated to the latest version in the App Store or Google Play Store.
How do I make an app look good on a phone screen?
Tell Nova in natural language: "Optimize this app for mobile layout." Nova will automatically format elements for smaller screens. You can preview the layout anytime using the mobile toggle in the app builder.
Are photos snapped in mobile apps saved to UpKeep records?
Yes. When an app includes image attachment fields, photos snapped via the in-app camera attach directly to the corresponding work order, asset, part, or inspection log in UpKeep.