Can't create a desktop flows connection from a shared canvas app

This article provides a workaround for a scenario where a canvas app embedding a desktop flows connection is shared. In this scenario, if the user to whom the app is shared doesn't have a desktop flows connection, the user is asked to create a new one from an embedded window in the canvas app, which doesn't work properly.

Applies to:   Power Automate for desktop, Power Apps canvas

Symptoms

User 1 has been shared a Power Apps canvas app from User 2 (the app embeds a desktop flows connection). The following screenshot shows what appears in User 1's apps list:

Note

Whether the app was shared with User 1 as a user or co-owner makes no difference in this scenario.

When User 1 runs the app:

• User 1 is asked to provide her own desktop flows connection because User 1 has none already created connection in this environment.

  

• To do so, User 1 selects Sign in to create the new connection. The following form appears:

  

• On this form:

  • The Machine or machine group field is malfunctioning as it should provide a list of user-available machines or machine groups.
  • Instead, the field shows as a free text input. It expects a machine group id, which isn't transcribed on the UI.

Resolution

The workaround for this issue is to create a connection from the Connections page and then reopen the app. Here are the steps:

1. Close the shared app.

2. Open the Connections page.

3. Select New connection > Desktop flows.

4. Create a connection. The Machine or machine group field is functional and provides a list of user-available devices.

   

5. Reopen the shared app. The previously created connection is auto-selected.

   

6. Select Allow.

User 1 now has access to the running canvas app.