Being distracted and unproductive at work is something most employees struggle with every day. Especially because employees are bombarded with emails, chat messages, and other interruptions on their mobile devices. Even though the relationship between mobile technologies and productivity has largely been positive, mobile devices have also created infinite channels to keep people distracted while working.
To support enterprise productivity, Chrome kiosk mode allows employees to use a single window on their mobile devices. Put simply, such a kiosk mode blocks access to any other part of the mobile device. Businesses that utilize kiosk mode through mobile device management can create purpose-specific dedicated devices suited for work.
What is Chrome Kiosk Mode?
Chrome Kiosk Mode turns a Chromebook or a Chrome device into a single-application system. It restricts users to a specific website or web app, essentially locking the device in a full-screen browser mode. It is primarily used in environments where the computer needs to serve a specific purpose, such as public kiosks, digital signage, or dedicated information displays.
Chrome Kiosk Mode is designed to provide a simple, secure, and reliable way to deploy computers for specific tasks where access to a full operating system or other applications is not necessary or desirable. Organizations generally prefer mobile device management platforms, such as Scalefusion, that doubles up as a solution that supports kiosk mode on Android, Apple, Mac and Windows devices.
How Does Chrome Kiosk Mode works?
Chrome Kiosk Mode works by transforming your Google Chrome web browser into a full-screen application that is locked down to a specific set of websites or web applications. Here’s how it works:
- Full-Screen Display: When you enable Kiosk Mode, Chrome takes over the entire screen of your computer, hiding the desktop and other applications. This creates a focused environment suitable for public displays or dedicated tasks.
- Restrictions and Controls: Users typically have limited control over the browser. They can’t close the browser window or access other applications or files on the computer, which helps maintain security and prevents unauthorized use.
- Configuration: Administrators can configure Chrome Kiosk Mode to display specific websites or web apps. This is done through Chrome’s management tools or by setting up the browser to launch with predefined URLs.
- Automatic Startup and Reliability: Kiosk Mode can be set to automatically start when the computer boots up, ensuring that the kiosk is always ready for use. If there’s any issue, Chrome can be set to restart automatically, minimizing downtime.
- Security Measures: It enhances security by limiting browsing to approved websites, preventing users from navigating away from designated content or making changes to browser settings that could compromise the system.
- Remote Management: Chrome Kiosk Mode can be managed centrally using Google’s Chrome Management Console. This allows administrators to remotely configure settings, update content, and monitor multiple kiosk devices from a single location.
Overall, Chrome Kiosk Mode simplifies the user experience by focusing on specific tasks or content, making it ideal for public settings like information kiosks, digital signage, or retail displays where controlled access and reliable performance are crucial.
How to Set Up Chrome Kiosk Mode?
Scalefusion’s browser lockdown feature lets IT admins run websites in kiosk mode. By locking a device in a browser kiosk, organizations can:
- Restrict access to the browser interface, including the address bar and toolbar.
- Whitelist a set of websites. Organizations can ensure that employees stay focused at work by keeping them away from social media sites and personal email accounts. IT admins can add URLs of essential websites that employees can visit at work.
- Run whitelisted websites in full-screen mode. Users will be restricted from making any changes and cannot bring the website back to the normal window.
| Read More: How to Whitelist a Website? |
Step by Step guide to set up Chrome kiosk mode on Android devices
Step 1 – Log in to the Scalefusion dashboard
Step 2 – Navigate to Device Profiles & Policies > Device Profiles; Click Create New Profile
Step 3 – Under the Android tab, select Kiosk/Agent mode; Enter a profile name
Step 4 – Under Select Apps, enable the Chrome Browser
Step 5 – Navigate to Kiosk/Launcher Settings > Single App Mode; Select the Chrome browser from the dropdown menu
| Read More: What is Single App Kiosk Mode? |
Step 6 – Under Home Screen Settings, activate the toggle buttons to hide the bottom navigation bar or to launch the device screen in full-screen mode
The Chrome kiosk mode is ready to be deployed on enterprise devices meant for a secure and productive browser-only experience.
Benefits of Chrome Kiosk Mode
Chrome Kiosk Mode offers significant benefits to several industries and environments where controlled and focused user interaction is crucial. Here are some industries and scenarios that can benefit from using Chrome Kiosk Mode:
Retail: In-store digital signage and product information kiosks can utilize Chrome Kiosk Mode to provide customers with interactive product catalogs, promotional videos, or self-service checkout options.
Hospitality: Hotels can use kiosks for self-check-in and check-out, local area information, restaurant menus, and concierge services, enhancing guest experience and operational efficiency.
Education: Schools and universities can deploy kiosks for student information systems, campus maps, event schedules, and interactive learning modules.
Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics can use kiosks for patient check-in, wayfinding, health information, and appointment scheduling, reducing administrative workload and improving patient flow.
Transportation: Airports, train stations, and bus terminals can benefit from kiosks for flight/train/bus information, boarding pass printing, and navigation assistance.
Corporate: Offices can use kiosks for visitor registration, internal communication displays, employee self-service portals, and meeting room reservations.
In each of these industries, Chrome Kiosk Mode provides a secure, streamlined, and user-friendly way to deliver information and services, enhance customer or user experience, and increase operational efficiency. It ensures that users interact only with approved content, while administrators can manage and update kiosk settings remotely, ensuring consistency and reliability across multiple devices.
Wrapping Up
Chrome kiosk mode can enhance productivity in different work environments across industries. It also adds a layer of security to unattended devices, as no unauthorized user can tamper with Chrome kiosks. Provision devices into Chrome kiosk mode with Scalefusion MDM.
Give the Scalefusion kiosk feature a try, free for 14 days!
FAQ’s
1. What is Chrome Browser Kiosk Mode?
Chrome Browser Kiosk Mode restricts the browser to a single full screen application, ideal for public displays or dedicated tasks without access to other browser functions.
2. How do I Turn on Kiosk Mode in Chrome?
To activate Kiosk Mode in Chrome using tools like Scalefusion Kiosk Software, first configure your desired settings in Scalefusion’s dashboard. Then, deploy the settings to your devices, ensuring they run Chrome in Kiosk Mode automatically upon startup.
3. How to Turn off Chrome Kiosk Mode?
Exiting Chrome Kiosk Mode requires closing the browser or pressing specific keys like Alt+F4 (Windows) or Command+Q (Mac). Alternatively, restart the device to return to normal browsing mode.
4. What Are The Benefits Chrome Browser Kiosk Mode?
Chrome Kiosk Mode enhances security by limiting user access to specific applications, simplifies interface for non-technical users, and ensures focused usage in public or business environments.
