[2023] How to Enable Multi-App Kiosk Mode on Android/Windows 10/11

Multi-app kiosk mode is a feature that allows admins to configure devices to operate in a locked-down mode. In this mode, the device is restricted to running only specific applications, preventing customers/employees from accessing other apps or settings.

This is a powerful solution that offers a range of benefits across various industries. Using this method, we can restrict our target devices to certain applications for various purposes. This post will explore the advantages of multi-app mode in various businesses and explain how to configure it on various devices.

1 Single App vs. Multi-App, Which Kiosk Mode Should You Choose?

Examples of Application Scenarios

1. Single-app Kiosk Mode

• ATMs are single app devices used by the public to perform all basic operations using their bank accounts.
• Devices used for digital signage in public places are a good example of single-app Kiosks.
• Restaurants use devices only for placing orders.

2. Multi-app Kiosk Mode

• In the education sector, a device is restricted to multiple apps related to learning.
• In healthcare, devices are allowed to access multiple apps for health-related issues.
• Best for shared devices like call centre shifts are on rotation, and workers keep changing. So, they can utilize the same devices for multiple purposes to save costs.

2 Multi-app Kiosk Mode for Different Industries and Needs

Multi-app mode enables us to create our devices purpose-built for the growth and smooth working of our business in different areas of life.

It also helps us limit the target devices to a certain boundary to access the apps. Let's examine the applications of the Multi-app mode in several important industries:

Electronic Retailer

Electronic retailer is a vast field with big turnovers. Such as some of them provide an interphone rental service. They set up the interphone to multi-Kiosk mode before renting large organizations so that the companies can perform certain daily routine operations.

It may include the biometric system devices installed in offices for attendance. These devices are also used to perform other operations. In offices and large organizations, devices are provided to the employees with access to multiple Apps so that they can be made purpose-built and handle multiple tasks.

Educational Institutions

In the past few years, online teaching has been trending. Everyone wants to learn online and save a lot of time with cost. Digital learning has become necessary for every organization to teach students. But there are a lot of threats of misuse of devices by students.

Devices are protected with Multi-app Kiosk mode to overcome such issues by limiting device access to irrelevant applications. Only those apps are accessed on devices relevant to students' learning.

Transportation & Logistics

A lot of technological advancement has been observed in the transportation and logistics industry. Owners of the vehicles can track their locations and also watch what is happening with the help of technology.

Most goods are transported using trucks and other heavy vehicles. Truck drivers are given devices that can help them with operations, like Google Maps and other relevant apps. Using Multi-app Kiosk mode, we can restrict them only to such apps.

Recovery Center (Mental Health/Alcohol/Drugs Rehab Treatment)

Recovery centers that deal with drug addiction and mental health-affected people use Kiosk devices to recover patients. Recovery centers develop healthy apps to monitor the patients and their body indexes. They would lock their devices into Multi-app mode to only allow access to those specific apps that are required.

Nursing Home

In the nursing home, caretakers are working for the betterment of people and to provide them with basic health facilities. People of different ages, preferably older people, are there and need proper assistance.

Specific apps are developed to provide assistance to the care takers for their easier and effective working. Multi-app mode enables the care takers to use the devices only for their job related purpose and access all the apps that are added in the Kiosk list to make the devices purpose-built.

3 How to Enable Multi-App Kiosk Mode on Android Devices?

Configure Multi-app Mode with AirDroid Business MDM

AirDroid Business is an Android device management software, which provides functions of remote monitoring, control, security policy and kiosk mode configuration.

How to Set Up?

First of all, you would need an AirDroid account to log into the MDM admin console(It is a panel to activate Android MDM Kiosk mode for all enrolled devices). You can sign up by clicking the free trial button below.

Step 1:  Log into AirDroid Business Admin Console

Step 2: Click on "Privacy & Kiosk Config Files" - "Kiosk" and then find the "App Allowlist for kiosk" tab from the menu displayed on the screen

Step 3: Select the App

Browse the cursor downwards and select all the apps you want to access on the managed devices.

Step 4: Select the device group to which you want to apply this kiosk config file. After saving, these devices will be locked into the allowed applications you specify and cannot exit.

Other Features Provided by AirDroid Business MDM

Kiosk Browser

Kiosk browser is a feature built for limited searching. It can limit web searching to some specific web pages using the address bar and also select if you want to allow access to the printer or not. The kiosk browser provides an auto-clear cache with incognito mode.

Remote Troubleshooting & Support

With the help of AirDroid Business, all network and other device issues are troubleshot remotely by controlling the device directly. It also helps provide technical support and other help to the employees remotely by the technical team.

Configure System Settings

AirDroid Business can configure all the system settings of the devices for more productivity. It may include setting the device volume, Wi-Fi, hotspot, display settings etc.

Device Management & Security

AirDroid Business’s best security feature is device management and security. It helps to create a list of devices enrolled and then search out their names for complete details, including online/offline status, data usage reports, battery and storage capacity etc. It can also provide alerts for abnormal situations with the devices. The workflow feature will auto-perform some triggered tasks.

Other than these features, there is a vast list that helps you provide the best support to the business and handle all matters.

4 How to Enable Multi-app Kiosk Mode on Windows 10?

The single and Multi-app Kiosks have their worth depending on the circumstances. The important function of Multi-app mode in offices or educational institutes is to restrict the employees or students to some specific applications that are of their use.

Multi-app mode is also applicable on Windows. But currently, it is available on Windows 10. Here are the two ways to enable Kiosk mode on Windows 10:

Method 1. Microsoft Intune

Use Intune kiosk mode on your Windows OS to make the devices dedicated, as they become purpose-oriented by running only a few required applications. In Kiosk mode using Microsoft Intune, the device can run a single or multiple selected apps, add various apps, add a Home Page for a web browser, and customize the start menu.

Here are basic steps to configure the Multi-app mode on Windows 10 using Intune:

Step 1: Create a Profile on Windows 10

To create a profile:

1. Sign in to Windows Endpoint Manager Admin center and select the devices tab.

2. Click on Configuration profile and tap on create a profile.



3. Select Windows 10 and template as Kiosk, and then press the Create tab.

4. Perform configuration settings.

Step 2: Select a Kiosk Mode

Select Multi-app Kiosk. Also, select any option in ‘Target Windows 10 in S Mode Device’. Then select the Log on type to run the apps.

Step 3: Configuration Settings

In the configuration settings tab, choose the browser and application tab to select all the apps and browsers, including the Kiosk browser, to allow access to the device.

Browser modes like normal or full mode, private mode etc. Similarly, perform other settings per your requirements and enjoy the Multi-app mode.

Other Settings include the alternative start layout, Windows Taskbar, maintenance Window for App restarts, and access to downloaded files.

Method 2. Create and Use Provisioning Packages

Using and creating Provisioning packages is also a sound method to enable Kiosk Mode on Windows. The method includes three basic steps:

1. Creating an XML File

2. Add XML file to Provisioning package

3. Apply the provisioning package to the device

Let's discuss these three steps in complete detail for complete guidance.

Step 1: Create an XML File

XML file is divided into two sections, i.e. Profile and Config.

The profile section defines all the apps allowed in multi-Kiosk mode and their appearance. Each profile has a unique I.D. to identify. Add the profile I.D. and then add the devices that need to operate in Kiosk mode.

1. For UWP apps, use the App user model I.D.

2. For classic Windows applications, use the Desktop AppPath.

3. Then, select the Start Layout to generate the look of your desktop. 

4. In the end, select whether to display the taskbar or hide it.

The config section functions to associate the account with the profile. Identify the account and save the XML file after completing the above process.

Step 2: Add XML file to Provisioning Package

Now, add the XML file to the provisioning package in Windows Configuration designer. Start a project using advanced provisioning for all Windows desktop additions. Then expand the run-time Settings and click on Assigned Access. Then choose 'Multi App Assigned Access' Settings. Browse the Kiosk, save the file, and then export it as a provisioning package.

Step 3: Apply the provisioning Package to the device

After adding the XML file to the provisioning package, apply it to the device and sign in to the Kiosk account to check.

5 Enable Multi-app Kiosk Mode on Windows 11

Previously, multi-app kiosk mode was not supported on Windows 11, but now this feature is available for users with Windows Configuration Update on their computer.

With Windows 11 Multi-app mode, IT offices can ensure limited access to the devices for the purpose they are provided by creating different configurations for different users. multi-app kiosk mode in Windows 11 has a new feature to support multiple monitors.

Methods to Configure Multi-app Mode

There are three methods yet discovered to configure Multi-app kiosk mode in Windows 10. Only one of these methods is currently in operation.

• MDM WMI Bridge Power (available)
• Intune
• Provisioning Package Using Windows Configuration Designer

1. You must create a Multi-app kiosk XML file to enable Multi-app mode using MDM WMI Power Bridge.

2. Start the file by pasting XML code in the XML editor and saving it with ‘filename.xml.’

3. You can define multiple profiles using configuration XML. Each profile is given a unique ID with specified applications allowed to run. A single profile can have multiple config sections, and any profile has no effect if it does not have a config section.

4. After creating the XML file, download the psexec tool and run ‘psexec.exe -i -s cmd.exe’ to open PowerShell. Run the script after replacing the XML file you have created.

7 TakeAways

Hopefully, the notion of Multi-app Kiosk mode and its applications in the field of healthcare, e-commerce, transportation, logistics, etc., are now apparent. With Multi-app Kiosk mode, devices may be limited to specific apps to do activities efficiently.

AirDroid Business is one of the best applications for launching Android Multi-app Kiosk mode. We also examined the configuration of Multi-app mode for Windows OS and iPad devices. It contributes to increased employee productivity by tying them to work-related applications. It also facilitates the administrator's management of the devices.

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