Which browser or app should I use to access NILE?

You can log in to NILE using a laptop/desktop computer, and from a smartphone or other mobile device using a mobile browser or the Blackboard Learn app.

To get the best experience from NILE, please make sure that you have a suitable Internet connection, and that you are using an up-to-date version of a supported browser, or an up-to-date version of the Blackboard Learn app.

The following browsers are supported for laptops/desktops and mobile devices:

• Google Chrome - most recent stable version and two preceding versions
• Mozilla Firefox - most recent stable version and two preceding versions
• Apple Safari for MacOS and iOS - two most recent major versions
• Microsoft Edge - most recent stable version and two preceding versions

The Blackboard Learn mobile app is available for Apple and Android devices:

• Download the Blackboard app on your Apple device
• Download the Blackboard app on your Android device

More information about your Internet connection, about installing and updating browsers, and about the inbuilt accessibility features available in the different browsers, is provided below.

Google Chrome

• Installing Google Chrome (all platforms)
• Updating Google Chrome (all platforms)
• Accessibility on Chrome
• Learn how to use Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

• Installing Mozilla Firefox (all platforms)
• Updating Mozilla Firefox (all platforms)
• Accessibility features in Firefox
• Learn how to use Firefox

Apple Safari

• Installing/updating Apple Safari on a laptop or desktop
• Installing/updating Apple Safari on a mobile device
• Apple Accessibility
• Learn how to use Safari

Microsoft Edge

• Installing Microsoft Edge (all platforms)
• Updating Microsoft Edge (all platforms)
• Accessibility features in Microsoft Edge
• Learn how to use Edge

Your Internet Connection

To access NILE, you will need a reliable Internet connection. If your connection speed is less than 5Mbps download/1Mbps upload per person you may experience problems using NILE. If only you use your Internet connection, then 5Mbps download/1Mbps upload is likely to be sufficient. However, if other people use the same Internet connection at the same time you will need a faster connection.

To check your connection speed, we recommend using Fast.com or the Which Broadband Speed Test.*

Both Fast.com and the Which Broadband Speed Test will display your download and upload speeds. When using Fast, to view your upload speed select 'Show more info' when the speed test has completed.

*Please note that Fast.com and Which Broadband Speed Test are not provided or managed by the University of Northampton. Other speed test services are also available, and all speed test services will need to collect information from your browser, including your location and Internet provider. You can find out more about what data is collected and how it is stored and used by viewing the privacy information available on their websites.

More information

The links below provide more information about using the Internet, about how to log in to NILE and find your way around, and about why you may need to clear your browser data (cookies and cache) from time to time, and how to do this.