What Slido is and why your instructor might ask you to use it
Slido is a polling and interactive presentation tool that instructors use to gather real-time responses from students during class. When your teacher asks you to install it, they are usually planning to run live polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions where your answers appear instantly on the classroom screen. It is not a grading system or a replacement for your learning management system — it is a way to make lectures more interactive and let instructors see whether the class understands the material as they teach it.
The app works on phones, tablets, and computers. Your instructor gives you a code or link at the start of class, you enter it into Slido, and then you can respond to questions as they appear. Responses are usually anonymous unless your teacher specifically asks for names, which means you can answer without worrying that your response will affect your grade.
Slido is used in universities, high schools, and corporate training settings. It is free to download and use as a student — your instructor or school pays for the instructor account that runs the polls.
Key Takeaways
- Slido lets instructors run live polls and quizzes during class so they can see whether students understand the material in real time.
- You download the free app or use the web version, enter a code your instructor provides, and respond to questions as they appear on screen.
- Student responses are usually anonymous, so participating does not affect your grade or create a record tied to your name.
- Installing Slido takes about two minutes and requires only your email address; you do not need to provide payment information or personal details beyond that.
How to install Slido and join a class session
Download Slido from the Apple App Store if you use an iPhone or iPad, or from Google Play if you use an Android phone. If you prefer not to install an app, you can also use Slido through a web browser by going to slido.com and entering your instructor's code there. Both routes work equally well.
When you open Slido for the first time, you will be asked to create an account using your email address and a password. You do not need to provide a phone number, credit card, or any payment information — the student version is free. Once your account is set up, your instructor will give you an event code (usually a four or five-digit number) at the start of class. Enter that code into Slido, and you will see the questions or polls your instructor has prepared.
If you forget to install the app before class starts, ask your instructor for the event code and join through the web version instead. You can switch between the app and the browser version without losing access to the session.
What happens to your responses and whether they affect your grade
By default, your responses in Slido are anonymous — your instructor sees your answer but not your name attached to it. This is true for polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions. Your instructor can see overall class results (for example, "60% of students chose answer A") but cannot trace individual responses back to you unless they specifically change the settings to require names.
Whether your Slido responses count toward your grade depends entirely on your instructor. Some teachers use Slido only to check understanding and do not grade the responses at all. Others award participation points for answering, regardless of whether your answer is correct. A few instructors use Slido quizzes as part of your grade. Your syllabus or course materials should tell you whether Slido responses are graded — if it is unclear, ask your instructor directly.
Your responses are stored in your Slido account and in your instructor's account. After the class ends, your instructor can download a report of all responses, but you can also see your own response history by logging into Slido and viewing past events you attended.
Privacy and data security considerations
Slido is owned by Cisco, a large technology company, and stores your account information on their servers. When you create an account, you provide an email address and password. Slido's privacy policy states that they do not sell your data to third parties, but they do use it to improve their service and may share it with other Cisco products if you connect your accounts.
Your responses to polls and quizzes are tied to your account, not to your name (unless your instructor turns on named responses). This means Slido knows which email address gave which answer, but the classroom screen shows only the aggregate results. If you are concerned about privacy, you can use a separate email address just for Slido rather than your school email, though this is not required.
Slido uses standard encryption to protect data in transit, meaning your responses are scrambled as they travel from your device to Slido's servers. If you are using a school or public Wi-Fi network, the same security applies — your responses are protected the same way they would be on your home network.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you enter the event code and see "Event not found" or "Code expired," the session may not have started yet or your instructor may have ended it. Check with your instructor to confirm the code is correct and that the event is currently active. Event codes are specific to each class session, so a code from last week will not work today.
If the app crashes or you lose connection during a poll, rejoin using the same event code. Slido will show you the current question, and you can submit your response. If you submitted an answer before the connection dropped, it was likely recorded — you do not need to answer twice.
If you cannot download the app because your phone storage is full or your device is very old, use the web version instead by opening slido.com in any browser. The web version has the same features and does not require installation.
Alternatives if you cannot or do not want to use Slido
If you have a device that cannot run Slido or if you prefer not to install the app, talk to your instructor before class. Most instructors who use Slido also accept responses through the web browser, and some allow students to raise their hand or respond verbally instead. Your instructor may also have a backup polling tool available, such as Google Forms or Mentimeter, though Slido is what they have set up for the course.
If you have a documented disability that makes using Slido difficult — for example, if you have a visual impairment and the app does not work well with your screen reader — contact your school's disability services office. They can work with your instructor to arrange an alternative way for you to participate in interactive activities.
What Slido is not and what it does not do
Slido is not a learning management system like Canvas, Blackboard, or Google Classroom. It does not store your course materials, grades, or assignments. It is purely for real-time interaction during class — once the session ends, Slido's job is done.
Slido does not track how much time you spend in the app or monitor your activity outside of class sessions. It does not send you notifications or reminders about upcoming classes. It does not replace attendance — your instructor still needs to take attendance separately if your school requires it.
Slido also does not require you to have a camera or microphone. You respond by tapping or typing, not by speaking or appearing on video. This makes it a lower-pressure way to participate than raising your hand in front of the whole class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the Slido app, or can I just use the website?
Either works. The app and the website have the same features, so you can choose whichever is more convenient for you. If your phone does not have space for another app, the website version works just as well in any browser.
Will my instructor see my name when I answer a question?
Not unless your instructor turns on named responses, which they would tell you about. By default, Slido shows your instructor only the overall class results, not which student gave which answer. If your instructor does use named responses, they will let you know at the start of class.
What if I do not have a smartphone or tablet?
You can use Slido on any computer with a web browser. Go to slido.com, enter your instructor's event code, and respond to questions the same way you would on a phone. You do not need a mobile device to participate.
Can I get in trouble for giving a wrong answer on a Slido quiz?
That depends on your instructor's grading policy. Some teachers use Slido only to check understanding and do not grade responses at all. Others give participation points for answering, regardless of correctness. Check your syllabus or ask your instructor whether Slido responses affect your grade.
Is Slido safe to download, or could it have malware?
Slido is a legitimate tool made by Cisco and is available through official app stores. It does not contain malware. Like any app, it requests certain permissions (such as access to your microphone if you use Slido's live polling feature), but you can review and deny permissions you are not comfortable with in your phone's settings.