In business environments, Android devices often run in kiosk mode to improve efficiency and control.
Sometimes, kiosk mode restricts employee access to corporate smartphones to minimize distractions, some other times it locks down tablets for customer-service or informational purposes.
In this article, we’ll explore 4 different types of Android kiosk modes, how they are used in various settings, and provide instructions on how to set them up effectively.
By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how to implement kiosk mode to suit your business needs.
Android kiosk mode is a feature that locks Android devices to specific app (s) and a limited set of functions, preventing users from accessing non-work-related content.
More specifically, kiosk mode can be implemented in four different types:
| Types | Definition | Purposes | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-app mode | Allow access to multiple apps, while still restricting access to other parts of the device. | Design versatile devices capable of performing multiple tasks. | Devices in the office: It is mainly used to restrict the user's freedom to fully utilize the device, reduce employee distractions, and enhance security. |
| Single-app mode | Lockdown devices into only running one specific app. | Build Single-purpose devices. | Self-ordering kiosk: A tablet can be restricted into a single application that allows clients to order their product or service and process their payment. |
| Kiosk Browser | Lockdown devices into only running one specific app | Restrict devices to run only customizable web browser designed by MDM solution | Library kiosks: In a library, a tablet can be implemented with Kiosk browser mode to be locked into a custom website that provides books browsing, borrowing and returning service. |
| Chrome/Edge Browser Lockdown | Restrict devices to run only a customized Chrome/Edge browser | 1-Provide a controlled web browsing environment 2-Restrict devices to display only the organization's custom websites or web apps. | Digital signages: This can be useful in public spaces such a museum, where a Android tablets can be set to Chrome browser lockdown mode, allowing visitors to access only a pre-approved list of educational websites. |
What terminals are available to use Android kiosk mode? Here is a list:
WINN Solutions is a leading providing of smart lockers and parcel tracking technologies. They use a Bluetooth technology that allows recipients to retrieve their items through smart lockers. The challenge is to manage these intelligent lockers while ensuring security, efficiency, and remote access.
With AirDroid Business, the intelligent locker is managed with an Android-based Kiosk system:
With single-app kiosk mode, the device is restricted to a single use, preventing users to accessing other applications or settings, ensuring security.
With remote access, admins can monitor, update, and troubleshoot the lockers, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
With black screen mode, the sreen can be turned off during maintenance to ensure privacy and prevent unauthorized viewing.
Learn More: How WINN Solutions Leveraged MDM for Efficient Parcel Locker Management
Based in Kenya, VisionFund offers financial solutions to families and communities and help them establish a secure source of income.
With their employees relying on Samsung tablets for various tasks, the main challenge for the organization is the need to restrict these devices strictly to work-related activities. Furthermore, the company also needs a solution to efficiently install and update work-related apps across multiple devices in different locations.
AirDroid Business helped VisionFund overcome these challenges by providing a robust MDM solution:
Through Kiosk mode, the company was able to restrict employee devices to work-related activities.
With the app management feature, the process of installing and updating work-specific apps could be streamlined across multiple devices.
With remote access, admins could provide support and troubleshoot in real time, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
Learn more: VisionFund in Kenya Empowers Kiosk Functionality with MDM
Even if Android devices have a built-in feature (the app pinning feature) to set-up single-app kiosk mode on them, we’re not describing this method as it is not suitable for business purposes (it’s too easy for users to exit ).
Instead, we’re focusing on how to lockdown kiosk mode with MDM software, a method that allows admins to lock multiple devices at once, provide regular updates to them, and have remote access.
When setting up Android Kiosk Mode with MDM, consider using advanced settings like website whitelisting/blocklisting to control access, ensuring users only visit approved contents.
Admins could also customize the branding and layout to enhance user experience and promote your company’s identity.
Additionally, configuring device peripheral settings allows admins to control features like USB access, volume buttons, or hardware keys, ensuring the device remains secure and functions as intended.
These settings provide a more tailored, secure, and professional kiosk environment for various business needs.
What if to set up Android kiosk mode without MDM? Is there a built-in kiosk mode for Android device?
Yes. It is called App pinning. When it’s set, people can only use the app that locks on the screen.
However, the feature requires Android 8.1 and up.
The built-in kiosk mode should be manually set on the device. You can turn on it by following these steps:
Security & location > Advanced > App pinning. Next, pin the screen by swiping up and clicking the Pin icon.
It takes three steps to exit kiosk mode on the Android device.
First, get the exit code via the MDM admin console. It’s listed on the top of the Kiosk Config File.
Second, open the device and find the three dots menu icon at the upper right in Biz Daemon.
Lastly, click System Setting and enter the code.
Android Enterprise Kiosk Mode is the APIs that is provided to EMM developers to build a kiosk-like solution on Android devices for dedicated use. Another name for it is Lock task mode.
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