You can supply your users with Android devices that operate in so-called kiosk mode. Devices operating in this mode can then, for example, offer only one single app. This app is then always open (left illus.). However, multiple apps can also be assigned (right illus.). The user can only access these app(s). System apps pre-installed by the manufacturer such as Phone, Settings, Play Store, Contacts, Downloads etc. are not displayed.
Aim
In this How-To we show you how you can put fully managed Android devices into kiosk mode with the help of a policy.
Implementation
- First add the app or apps you would like to have available on the device in Kiosk mode in the Administration Portal (see article Add Android apps from the Google Play Store).
Note! If you want to use an app that should not be visible on the users' devices, activate the Hide in Kiosk checkbox under Apps. This can be useful, for example, when using remote assistance tools that should only run in the background.
Note! If you want to add system apps, create a policy with a corresponding whitelist. Learn how to do that in our How-To: How to place default Android apps on the deny list or allow list .
Note! In kiosk mode only VPP apps with the Mandatory checkbox are displayed.
- Select Administration→ Policies in the Administration Portal. Click on the plus sign, to create a new policy.
- Then select Android.
- Keep the Fully Managed Device selection as enrollment method.
- If you don´t want your users to use the Cortado app, uncheck the Allow use of Cortado app checkbox (arrow in illus.) under Apps. When the checkbox is enabled, the Cortado app is available to users.
- Enable the Kiosk Mode checkbox in the (arrow in illus.).
The following options are also available:
- Show system information: when the checkbox is enabled, system information such as the date, time and battery state (ect.) are available to users.
- Show lock screen: when the checkbox is enabled, the lock screen is activated. A precondition is that the device has already been provided with a passcode for unlocking. You can override the kiosk mode policy if you desire and set a passcode for the device.
- Show global actions dialog: when the checkbox is enabled, the Shut Down and Restart buttons are available to the users.
- Show home button: when the checkbox is enabled, the Home button is available to the users. The Home button can be used to open the app overview (left illus.). Provided multiple apps have been assigned to the device.
- Show overview screen: when the checkbox is enabled, the button for the most recently used apps is available to users.
- Show notifications in status bar: when the checkbox is enabled, the notification bar is displayed.
Note! You can also assign a background image to your users via a policy.
- Allow apps to display over other apps: Please find further information about this feature in our help article How to manage the "Display over other apps" policy on fully managed Android devices.
- Recovery token: By entering this token on the device (arrow in right illus.), kiosk mode can be exited temporarily. The code is generated automatically. However, you can also use your own code. This can contain the following symbols, Aa-Zz, 0-9 and must be exactly 6 digits long. To reactivate the kiosk mode, the user must tap on the corresponding notification.
Note! To open the device recovery, users must restart the device and then tap the button at the Exit Kiosk Mode bottom of the display within three seconds (arrow in left illus.). After that, the recovery token can be entered in the Password field (arrow in right illus.).
- Allow apps to display over other apps: Select this checkbox if you want to use remote IT support tools (such as TeamViewer). For more information, see our help article: How to use remote IT support tools on Android devices in Kiosk mode.
You then assign the new policy to the users:
- Select the appropriate profile and click on Assign.
- Now select the users, groups or devices to whom you would like to assign the policy.
Note! You can also assign the policies under Administration→ Users or Groups.
Note! For some Android models this policy only works after a restart of the device.