Adding a Merge 3D Shortcut to Your Home Screen or Desktop

Creating a shortcut to the Merge 3D Dashboard gives students one-tap access to all Merge 3D tools. The shortcut will open the Merge 3D Dashboard in their web browser, but looks and behaves much like a native app, making it especially helpful for younger students to "launch" the Merge 3D experience.

Benefits

Creating a shortcut allows students to:

• Access Merge 3D tools and experiences with a single tap or click
• Avoid typing the website address each time
• Quickly enter or rejoin a Lab
• Launch the dashboard on virtually any device

Follow the steps in the sections below to easily add the shortcut to your student devices! 

iPad (Safari) – Recommended

Safari provides the most consistent experience on iPads.

Follow these steps to create the Shortcut:

1. Open Safari.
2. Navigate to https://dashboard.merge3d.ai.
3. Tap the Share button.
4. Select Add to Home Screen.
5. (Optional) Rename the shortcut to Merge 3D.
6. Tap Add.

The Merge 3D icon will now appear on the Home Screen.

Student Tip: Students simply tap the Merge 3D icon to launch the dashboard.

iPad (Google Chrome)

Chrome also supports creating Home Screen shortcuts.

Follow these steps to create the Shortcut:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Navigate to https://dashboard.merge3d.ai.
3. Tap the More (⋮) menu.
4. Choose Share.
5. Select Add to Home Screen.
6. Tap Add.

Chromebook

Chromebooks allow you to pin websites to your Shelf.

Follow these steps to pin Merge 3D to the Shelf:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Go to https://dashboard.merge3d.ai.
3. Click the More (⋮) menu.
4. Select Cast, Save and Share > Create Shortcut.
5. Name the shortcut Merge 3D.
6. Select Create.

To keep Merge 3D easily accessible:

1. Open the shortcut.
2. Right-click the Merge 3D icon on the Shelf.
3. Select Pin.

Students can now launch Merge 3D directly from the Chromebook Shelf.

Windows PC - Create a Desktop Shortcut (Chrome)

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Navigate to https://dashboard.merge3d.ai.
3. Select More (⋮).
4. Choose Cast, Save and Share > Create Shortcut.
5. Name the shortcut Merge 3D.
6. Select Create.

The shortcut will appear on the desktop.

Windows (Microsoft Edge)

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Navigate to https://dashboard.merge3d.ai.
3. Select Settings and more (...).
4. Choose Apps > Install this site as an app.
5. Name the app Merge 3D.
6. Select Install.

Merge 3D will now appear in the Start Menu and can be pinned to the Taskbar.

Mac - Create a Dock App (Safari)

1. Open Safari.
2. Navigate to https://dashboard.merge3d.ai.
3. Select File > Add to Dock.
4. Name the shortcut if desired.
5. Select Add.

Merge 3D will appear in the Dock like a standard app icon.

Joining a Lab

When the Merge 3D Dashboard opens:

1. Locate Have a Lab Code?
2. Enter the Lab Code provided.
3. Select the Join button or press Enter.

Can the Lab Code Be Remembered on the Browser?

Depending on your browser and your school's device management policies, the previously entered Lab Code may remain on the device's browser.

For the best experience:

• Avoid clearing browser history and website data.
• Keep the shortcut on the Home Screen, Dock, Desktop, or Shelf.
• If your school uses a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, avoid policies that automatically erase browser data if you want devices to remember the Lab Code.

Note: If browser data is cleared or the device is reset, simply enter the Lab Code again.

Best Practices for Elementary Classrooms

For younger students, we recommend:

• Creating the Merge 3D shortcut on every classroom device.
• Renaming the shortcut Merge 3D for consistency.
• Placing the shortcut on the first Home Screen, Dock, Desktop, or Chromebook Shelf.
• Keeping the Lab Code readily available for first-time setup.

Need additional help? If you have questions about accessing your Merge 3D Dashboard or joining a Lab, contact your Merge 3D administrator or reach out to the Merge EDU Support Team.