How to Set up iPad Kiosk Mode to Lock an iPad?

If your organization utilizes iPhones or iPads for critical operational needs such as surveys and feedback collection, event registration, or lead registration, it is necessary to lock down your devices into iPad Kiosk mode and to a specific application or browser. You certainly don’t want your business-critical mission to be diverted from specific content accidentally by the end user. They need to be on the same content page, either in an application or a browser that will lock your iPad or iPhone. 

However, there might be several kiosk solutions that can help you lock down your devices. We certainly recommend the iPad Kiosk Solution since it is a compilation of one of the most holistic and easy-to-use applications filled with mission-critical features for diversified business needs. Read on further to understand what exactly a kiosk mode for iOS is and how IT admins can enable single app mode in iPad using Scalefusion Mobile device management.

What is iPad Kiosk Mode?

iPad kiosk mode is a restriction mechanism that enables organizations to lock down iPhones or iPads into a single app kiosk mode or a specific set of apps that will run in the foreground. You might have installed a public interactive kiosk for a specific business-critical purpose, and for that, locking down those devices to a specific app or browser is mandatory.

Enabling kiosk mode on iPad devices simplifies the desired outcome expected for all your organization-owned customer-centric devices. This automates the operations of the organizations by not allowing the end-users to accidentally divert to any other applications or browsers apart from what is accessible exclusively.

How Do You Set Up an iPad in Kiosk Mode?

With the holistic dashboard of the Scalefusion iPad Kiosk software, you can set up Kiosk Mode on iPads and iPhones by following the step-by-step method below:

Prerequisites to configure iOS kiosk mode:

1. A personal or corporate-based Apple ID
2. A supervised iOS device
3. Scalefusion sign-up and access to the admin dashboard

Step #1

Login to the Scalefusion browser. You can sign in to your Scalefusion account through your personal email id, G-suite, or Office 365.

Click on Enroll Devices on the left-hand feature side of the dashboard and select the iPad or iPhone platform. Follow the steps on the screen and start managing your devices virtually in Apple Kiosk mode after configuring the device kiosk profiles to be pushed.

Step #2

On the feature tab of the dashboard, navigate to Device Profiles & Policies and click on device profiles. You can either edit the already existing device profiles present or can create a new iOS profile.

Step #3

Now select the app that you want to run in single app mode. Otherwise, you can also blacklist all the apps except the one you intend to run into one app mode. Toggle the app selected and click on next. You can follow the same step if you wish to create a shortcut of a web page instead of an application and then click Next. Click next again on Select brand/App order to skip the arrangement of application order since we will be pushing a single app.

Step #4

On the restrictions tab, ensure that the autonomous Single App Mode is selected as preset and then click on Create a profile on the upper right-hand side of the dashboard. Your profile will be created and saved. The saved device profile will now be visible on the feature tab>Device profile section on the holistic dashboard, which you can push on the managed iOS devices enrolled in step – 2.

Step #5

Select the device profile created with single app mode, push it into iOS devices, and publish it. This will turn your iPad into a Kiosk Mode

What are the Benefits of Using iPads in Kiosk Mode?

Locking down an iPad or iPhone with the Scalefusion Kiosk solution gives managed access to the organization for their organization-owned devices, which might not be available to be availed in the built-in guided access capabilities. We have jotted down some pointers that can guide you about the benefits one can avail of over the built-in guided access capability when using reliable Kiosk software.

• iPads or iPhones can be locked down with the preferences of autonomous single or multi-app kiosk mode in the foreground based on the business-critical mission and purpose for deployment.
• A device profile with predetermined settings can be pushed and configured remotely through a single holistic dashboard without any end-user intervention.
• Selected apps and browser configurations with predetermined HTML web pages can be added as shortcuts for the non-diversion of end-users.  
• Push apps and content as per business needs over the air to retain the optimum level of productivity and non-halting of business operations.
• Restrict the usage of keyguard and peripheral devices on all or selected enrolled devices directly from the dashboard.
• Push customized branding in your customer-facing kiosk devices in public places on the lock screen as well as on the home screen.

Why Does the Business Vertical Need iPad Kiosks?

Enabling iPad Kiosk Mode allows organizations across diversified domains and verticals to execute a business-critical need. With the help of a Kiosk solution, lock the Apple devices to a single app mode or a multi-app mode based on the industry needs and as per their convenience. Here are a few verticals that have benefitted by locking down an iPad into kiosk mode:

1. Retail

The adoption of the Kiosk solution to lock an iPad into Kiosk mode in the retail domain has been phenomenal over the years. The usage of iPads to lock down into a single app mode has curbed the human error that used to occur during check-out of consumers and billing. Self-check-out iPads opened the opportunities to introduce zero error and quick check-out for improved customer satisfaction.

2. Education

The conduction of remote classes and virtual exams has been the core spectrum of adopting iPads and locking them down into kiosk mode in the education domain. The integration of Apple School Manager has streamlined the onboarding and communication between the Kiosk solution and the device with APN authenticity and supervision. iPad kiosk mode also ensures that the unauthorized applications or browser restrictions are set and configured into the predetermined standards of the school/colleges so that the contingencies of distraction to students while learning don’t occur.

3. Healthcare

In the healthcare domain, the usage of the iPad as a kiosk mode is used for diversified reasons, but the centric is to ease the pain points of the patients most simply. Some of the use cases are vitals monitoring, workforce clock-in, and clock-out, and advanced surgical vitals monitoring during operations. To ensure that the specific content is being delivered through specific enterprise apps for mission-critical purposes, locking down the iPads into kiosk mode serves the specified purpose.

Guided access is an inbuilt Apple iOS option that can be configured through the device settings wherein the device administrator can put down the iPhone or iPad to a single app mode. This option is similar to a lock-down feature but with minimal managed control where the respondents using the device won’t be able to tamper with the existing settings of the device until an exit passcode is prompted. The introduction of this feature was a measurement to temporarily prevent children from tampering with the settings of the iPhones or iPads. 

How to Enable Kiosk Mode in iPads Manually Using Guided Access?

The Guided Access Mode is an inbuilt system feature in an iPad that can lock down the device into kiosk mode temporarily. 

To manually configure the Guided Access Mode on an iPad, please follow the steps below:

Step #1 – Manually Enable Guided Access feature

1. To manually lock down the iPad into kiosk mode temporarily, navigate to the settings>Accessibility>Guided Access.

2. Toggle the Guided Access option and then tap on the Passcode settings to set up a password that will be required to enable or disable the Guided Access mode.

Step #2 – Configuring an Application in the Guided Access Mode

1. Select and open the application that is to be locked into the iOS kiosk mode using Guided Access.
2. Now, tap on the home button three times and select Guided Access.

3. Select the spaces in the screen manually that you intend to disable along with what device functionalities are to be disabled too. Then, click on start. This will initiate the Guided Access session on your iPad.

Step #3: Configuring the Existing Guided Access Mode

1. Tap on the home button three times.
2. Enter the credentials set for the Guided Access as a passcode, or one can authorize the exit from the temporary kiosk mode through TouchID or FaceID if that is already configured.

3. This will end the Guided Access session.

Disadvantages of Guided Access Mode

Guided Access can enable the organization to temporarily lock down the iPad into kiosk mode. However, there are a few drawbacks of Guided Access mode when compared to the managed Kiosk lockdown apps available in the market.

• The Guided Access mode can only lock down the device into a single purpose mode, wherein through a Kiosk application, the iPad can be locked down into Single App mode as well as multiple App modes running in the foreground.
• In Guided Access, the device administrator has to manually configure the provisioning process to lock down the iPad into kiosk mode. However, in the managed kiosk app, the provisioning of the devices in kiosk mode, either in the single app mode or the multiple modes, can be manually performed virtually and over the air.
• The end-user can end the Guided Access session by tapping on the home screen button three times or by rebooting the iPad kiosk. However, this is not possible if the iPad is locked down through a managed kiosk application.

Comparison Between Guided access vs Single app mode

Apple provides multitudes of provisions to activate and lock down an iPad into kiosk mode, but it is on the end-user or the administrator to decide what to choose as per the mission-critical needs. One can weigh the requirements and, based on the evaluation, can either opt for Guided Access mode or the Single app mode.

Let’s analyze the comparison between the in-built system setting of Guided Access mode and Single App mode better to understand the compatibility of these two kiosk options: 

Guided access	Single App Mode
Temporarily lock down the iPad into Kiosk mode as a parental control solution.	Manage the iPad virtually by locking it down into single app mode or multiple app mode – ideal for sensitive kiosks.
Guided Access mode can be toggled from the system setting of the iPad.	Kiosk mode can only be configured from an MDM server or using Apple configurator.
This temporary solution only has limited and basic controlling features, such as restricting the functioning of keyguard buttons.	A Kiosk solution has an amalgamation of features related to the basic as well as advanced lockdown of an iPad kiosk.
Supervision of the iPad is not mandatory.	Supervised devices are mandatory.
Remote Guide access can only be enabled or disabled by the device administrator manually with the iPad at hand.	Virtual configuration of the iPads is possible in the Kiosk solution. Over-the-air deployment and management can be administered by the device administrator.
The temporary kiosk solution can be bypassed by the end user by guessing the correct passcode and accessing the hardware keys.	Kiosk mode can only be configured from an MDM server or using an Apple configurator.
The Kiosk app can only be bypassed if the console is accessible by the end-user or through the Apple Configurator.	The ideal use case of this temporary lockdown solution is the parents and teachers restricting the usage of the iPad to a specific app and avoiding the children to distracted from specific purposes.

Guided Access vs Single App Mode

Conclusion…

The option to put an iPad in kiosk mode is compatible with both the available ways—Guided Access and a kiosk application. However, the use of kiosk solutions to lock down your devices into a single app or multiple app mode adds a layer of security, device management ability, and better controls. Guided Access can be used to temporarily lock the devices with limited lockdown controls, whereas the managed kiosk application locks down the devices with specific use cases and advanced controls.

When an organization deploys a customer-facing iPad, locking down the devices into a single app mode with the Kiosk solution can be the best for your end-users not to get distracted from the content page of the device and fulfill the mission-critical needs.

Schedule a free live demo here – https://scalefusion.com/book-a-demo and get all your questions answered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is iOS kiosk mode, and How do I enable it?

iOS kiosk mode is a security feature that turns your iPhone or iPad into a dedicated device by limiting it to run a single app or a chosen few. This is ideal for public kiosks, point-of-sale systems, or digital signage.

iOS kiosk mode limits iPhones/ iPads to a single app for kiosks. Enable with:

• Guided Access (built-in): Ideal for temporary use; activated on the device.
• MDM (subscription): More control for multiple devices.

2. How to Set Up Kiosk Mode for Multiple Apps Using Scalefusion MDM?

Setting up Kiosk Mode on your iPad to run multiple apps is straightforward with Scalefusion MDM. First, ensure your device is in supervised mode, which allows for more control and security. To begin, open the Scalefusion dashboard and navigate to the device management section. Here, you can select the iPad you want to configure.

1. Using the inbuilt iPad: Make sure Guided Access is enabled. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and toggle it on. This feature is essential for restricting the iPad to specific apps.
2. Triple-click the home button to start Guided Access mode. This action will lock the iPad to the chosen apps, ensuring it functions in kiosk mode.
3. Scalefusion MDM: In the dashboard, choose the multi-app kiosk profile. Select the specific apps you want to allow. This setup will lock the iPad to only these apps.
4. Apply the profile: Once the profile is created, apply it to the device. Your iPad will now enter kiosk mode, showing only the selected apps on the screen.

This method is perfect if you’re looking to use your iPad as a kiosk without needing a dedicated kiosk app. It keeps the device secure and focused on the task.

3. How to Customize the Settings in Kiosk Mode in Scalefusion MDM?

Customizing settings in kiosk mode using Scalefusion MDM allows for a tailored experience on your iPad. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Access the Scalefusion Dashboard: Login to your Scalefusion account and select the iPad you want to configure.
2. Create a Kiosk Profile: Go to the kiosk mode settings and create a new profile. Here, you can specify which apps to display. You can also adjust settings like screen orientation, volume controls, and network access.
3. Guided Access Mode: Make sure the inbuilt iPad Guided Access mode is activated. This ensures the iPad locks to the desired app or set of apps.
4. Advanced Customization: Scalefusion allows for deeper customization, including restrictions on device functions, setting a custom wallpaper, and configuring the home button behavior.
5. Apply the Settings: Once customized, apply these settings to your iPad. The device will now run in kiosk mode with your specified configurations.

This setup provides a controlled and secure environment, ideal for business or educational purposes.

4. How Secure is Kiosk Mode on iPads with Scalefusion MDM?

Kiosk Mode on iPads, when managed through Scalefusion MDM, is highly secure. Here’s why:

1. Supervised Mode: Ensuring the iPad is in supervised mode adds an extra layer of security. This mode allows for more stringent control over device functions and settings.
2. Guided Access: Using the inbuilt iPad Guided Access feature, you can lock the iPad to a specific app or a set of apps. This prevents users from accessing unauthorized content or settings.
3. Scalefusion’s Security Features: Scalefusion MDM provides robust security controls, including remote locking and wiping of the device, application whitelisting, and network security configurations.
4. Regular App Updates: Keeping the apps and the iPad’s operating system updated through Scalefusion ensures all security patches are applied, reducing vulnerabilities.

Overall, using Scalefusion MDM to manage Kiosk Mode on an iPad ensures a secure and controlled environment, preventing unauthorized access and maintaining the integrity of the device’s intended use.

5. How to Exit iPad Kiosk Mode from Scalefusion MDM?

Exiting Kiosk Mode on an iPad managed by Scalefusion MDM is simple. Follow these steps:

1. Open Scalefusion Dashboard: Log in to your Scalefusion account and navigate to the device management section.
2. Select the Device: Choose the iPad you want to exit from Kiosk Mode.
3. Send Exit Command: From the device options, send the command to exit Kiosk Mode. The iPad will receive this command and unlock from the restricted mode.
4. Disable Guided Access: If Guided Access is still on, triple-click the home button and enter the passcode to disable it.

This process allows you to remotely manage and exit Kiosk Mode, ensuring you can maintain control over your iPad at all times.

6. How to Troubleshoot Issues with Kiosk Mode Remotely Using Scalefusion?

Troubleshooting Kiosk Mode issues remotely with Scalefusion MDM is efficient and effective. Here’s how:

1. Scalefusion Dashboard: Log in to your Scalefusion account and navigate to the affected iPad.
2. Device Logs: Check the device logs for any errors or issues. Scalefusion provides detailed logs that can help identify the problem.
3. Remote Commands: Use remote commands to restart the device, update apps, or reapply kiosk settings. These commands can often resolve common issues without physical access to the iPad.
4. App Updates: Ensure all apps are up to date. Sometimes, issues arise from outdated software. Use Scalefusion to push app updates remotely.
5. Support: If the problem persists, Scalefusion’s support team can provide additional assistance. They can guide you through more advanced troubleshooting steps.

Using these tools, you can effectively manage and troubleshoot Kiosk Mode on your iPad, ensuring minimal downtime and maintaining a smooth user experience.