Are you preparing to use tablets in a public environment, but need a simple solution to prevent app switching or settings access so that users can fully focus on your content? See below for our easy guide to securely setting up an iPad, Android or Windows device as a kiosk:
Settings for iPad Kiosk Mode
How can I lock down my iPad into just one app and prevent users from changing the URL or switching Tabs.
Designed with security in mind, Apple’s iOS 11 enables the use of ‘Guided Access’. The feature allows you to control and limit the use of the device to just one app of your choice. Found in the iPad’s general settings, it is a simple way to prevent users from switching in and out of other apps, or accessing additional features on the iPad. Here is the Apple Support link for Guided Access https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202612
How to Disable Touch
The Guided Access feature also allows you to enable or disable hardware buttons on your iPad, including the Sleep/Wake and Volume buttons. Once your app is opened in Guided Access mode, select Hardware Buttons Options and switch off or on. Switching off Sleep/Wake and Volume buttons simply disables the use of them which means they will not respond if pressed by users.
How do I keep my content alive?To optimize your iPad’s performance and stop the screen from timing out after periods of inactivity, you can control the Auto-Lock settings. To do this, select: Settings > General > Auto-Lock > Never. Similarly, if you want to stop your screen from dimming if the light sensor is covered, select: Settings > Wallpapers & Brightness > Auto-Brightness > Off.
How can I lock down my Windows tablet into just one app?
With the launch of the Windows 8 operating system came the introduction of the ‘Assigned Access’ feature. Similar to Apple’s Guided Access, this gives you the freedom to choose a single app to be made accessible to your users. By creating a new user account specifically for kiosk use, this is an easy and practical way to keep your Windows device locked down.
Once these steps have been followed through, the device will be locked down into the one app you chose. To end Assigned Access, simply log out of the ‘Kiosk’ account and back into your own account by clicking Ctrl + Alt + Del.
How do I restrict use of hardware buttons?Whilst signed into Assigned Access (see above), all hardware keys and other touch gestures will be automatically disabled, meaning settings cannot be toggled without signing back in to your own user account.
Security settings for Android tablets:How can I lock an Android tablet down into one app?There are many free apps available for Android users that mimic the effect and possibilities of Apple’s Guided Access and Windows’ Assigned Access mode. Some of these include SureLock, Kiosk Browser Lockdown or Kioware (available to download on Google Play store). Simply follow the on-screen instructions to set your passcode and give users access to selected apps only.
Depending on your Android tablet, you may or may not have a physical ‘Home’ button on your device. Although the ability to disable hardware buttons may not be included in the tablet’s system settings, the apps suggested above will prevent use of hardware buttons (this mode will only end after entering passcode). Apps such as Kids Lock are also available, which can disable hardware buttons and prevent users from accessing the home screen and settings such as the volume control. To disable hardware buttons, simply follow the on-screen instructions.
How do I keep my content alive?There is a hidden setting on Android that allows you to keep the screen on indefinitely, but only whilst plugged into the charger. First you will need to activate the Developer Mode. To do this select: Settings > About phone > Build number entry (tap 7 times), then choose: Settings > Developer options > Stay awake. As long as your phone or tablet is plugged in, the screen won’t go to sleep after a certain amount of time.
This easy-to-follow guide works well on a device-by-device basis (for 10 tablets or less), but if managing a larger number of devices, check out our introduction to managing multiple tablets.