Imagine transforming your iPad into a magnetic kiosk, pulling in customers with stunning visuals and interactive displays. Showcase your products, services, or solutions in a way that sparks curiosity and fuels engagement.
Whether it’s your retail store, office lobby, or a buzzing conference booth, the iPad’s sleek design and intuitive interface become your silent salesperson. Its “cool appeal” naturally draws attention, making it the perfect platform to convert prospects into loyal customers.
Want to lock your iPad to one app — for customers, students, or employees? Whether you’re setting up a kiosk in a retail store, a tablet in a classroom, or a device at a trade show, the ability to lock an iPad to one app helps prevent distractions, app switching, and unauthorized access.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to lock an iPad in one app using both Guided Access and iPad Single App Mode. You’ll also learn when to use each method and how to choose the right setup based on your use case.
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What is iPad Single App Mode?
iPad Single App Mode is a configuration that restricts the device to only one app, disabling navigation, multitasking, and settings access. It’s ideal for businesses, schools, or public spaces where the iPad is used as a kiosk or dedicated device.
There are two main ways to lock an iPad on one app:
- Guided Access: For temporary use (manual activation).
- Single App Mode (MDM): For permanent, remote control across devices.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Lock iPad to One App
Method 1: Lock iPad to One App with Guided Access
If you’re looking for a quick solution for your personal use, and just a single device, and don’t need remote device management, Guided Access is your best option. Built into iOS, and easy to set up.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to: Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
- Turn it ON and tap “Passcode Settings” to set a code.
- Open the app you want to lock.
- Triple-click the Home (or Side) button.
- Tap Start to begin Guided Access.
Your iPad is now locked in one app.
Method 2: Lock iPad to One App Using Single App Mode via Scalefusion
Before you start using your iPad as a single app mode,
Step 1 – Sign up on Scalefusion to Lock iPad to One App
To use the iPad kiosk mode feature to lock the iPad in single app mode, you need to have a Scalefusion Account.
Step 2 – Setting Up APNs Account
It allows Scalefusion to remotely connect to your devices. This is a necessary step to be done to form a mutual trust between Scalefusion and your Apple Account.
Once you have Apple ID and are ready with your Scalefusion account and Apple account details,
you need to –
- Download a CSR (a file) from Scalefusion
- Upload the downloaded file to Apple Account
- Download a PEM file that Apple provides
- Upload the PEM file to Scalefusion dashboard
Video Guide: Please watch the video below to get a visual walk-through.
Step 3 – Make an iPad a Supervised Device Using AC2
A Supervised iOS device allows you to enforce strict policies and control more features on the iOS devices. For corporate-owned iOS devices, it is quite helpful to make a device supervised so that you can get enhanced control on the device.
Apple has provided a process to convert any iOS device to a Supervised device using the Apple Configurator2 (AC2) software.
Video Guide: Please watch the video below to get a visual walk-through.
Step 4 – Enroll iPad using a QR Code
Enrolling an iPad device by using the QR Code helps to simplify the process of onboarding the device. This enrollment avoids manual error with time-saving steps and efficient provisioning of iOS devices.
Video Guide: Please go through the video to see how to enroll an iOS device.
iOS 12.1 and Below Devices: If you are using a device running 12.1 and below, please use the video below.
iOS 12.2 and Above Devices: If you are using a device running 12.2 and above, please use the video below.
Step 5 – Create Apple Device Profile
Once you login to the Scalefusion dashboard, which you will find totally easy-to-use and comprehend, you need to take the following steps:
i) Choose to CREATE NEW PROFILE.
ii) Select “Apple” for the iOS devices, thereafter enter the Profile name and then press submit.
iii) Enable your application which you want to run on your iPads in single/one App Mode in the Select Apps section
iv) Thereafter navigate to the RESTRICTIONS section and click on the SINGLE APP MODE tab. Choose the Single App Mode as shown in the reference image
v) Select the application that you want to set and the one enabled from the Default Application Dropdown. Create a Profile or Update the Profile to save the settings.
Once, you select a profile and save the settings, they will be applied to all your managed devices, running them in iPad Single App Mode.
Video Guide: Please watch the video below to get a visual walk-through.
There are various other settings that can be controlled in Single App Mode iPad.
Why You Should Lock iPad to One App
Locking an iPad to one app transforms a multi-use device into a focused, secure, and task-specific tool. Whether you’re a business owner, educator, event organizer, or healthcare provider, using iPad Single App Mode ensures users stay exactly where you need them — without app switching, settings tampering, or distractions.
Here’s a breakdown of why locking an iPad in one app is essential across different industries:
1. Retail & Point of Sale (POS)
In a retail setting, iPads are commonly used as interactive product displays, digital catalogs, or self-service checkout stations. However, if left unrestricted, customers may exit the app, adjust settings, or use the device for unintended purposes.
Why lock iPad to one app in retail?
- Ensures customers can only interact with your sales or checkout interface.
- Prevents distractions or misuse in public-facing environments.
- Enhances professionalism with a clean, branded experience.
- Avoids tampering with sensitive data or Wi-Fi settings.
| Tip: With iPad locked to one app, your store creates a seamless, guided experience that converts attention into action. |
2. Education & Classroom Environments
In schools and universities, iPads are used for reading, research, and assessments. But without restrictions, students can easily switch apps, browse the internet, or access distractions during learning time.
Why use iPad Single App Mode in education?
- Keeps students focused on learning apps or test platforms.
- Prevents cheating or multitasking during online exams.
- Reduces distractions from social media, games, or messaging apps.
- Supports remote control for IT administrators managing multiple devices.
By locking iPads in one app, educators maintain a controlled, distraction-free environment that supports productivity and fairness in academic settings.
3. Events, Exhibitions & Trade Shows
At conferences, expos, or visitor kiosks, iPads are often used for lead capture, feedback forms, or product presentations. If not locked down, attendees may leave the intended app — causing confusion or loss of data.
Why lock down iPads to one app at events?
- Ensures attendees interact only with your survey, registration form, or demo.
- Prevents device misuse or unintentional navigation.
- Provides a consistent and immersive brand experience.
- Supports unattended operation in high-traffic areas.
Using Single App Mode on iPad turns each device into a dedicated, professional-grade self-service kiosk — no supervision needed.
4. Healthcare & Front Desk Operations
In hospitals, clinics, or wellness centers, iPads are commonly used for patient check-in, feedback forms, or digital consent. Privacy, simplicity, and security are critical.
Why lock an iPad to one app in healthcare?
- Protects sensitive patient data by restricting access to a single secure app.
- Simplifies the experience for patients and staff with clear navigation.
- Prevents unauthorized access to system settings, browser, or other apps.
- Enables compliance with healthcare IT policies.
Whether placed at a front desk or in a waiting area, locking an iPad in one app ensures your device functions reliably, securely, and within HIPAA-compliant guidelines.
Guided Access vs. Single App Mode: What’s the Difference?
While both Guided Access and Single App Mode for iPad help you lock an iPad to one app, they serve different purposes and audiences. Here’s a complete breakdown to help you choose the right option for your needs:
| Feature | Guided Access | Single App Mode (via Scalefusion) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Method | Manual (enabled directly on the iPad) | Remote setup using a Mobile Device Management (MDM) tool like Scalefusion |
| Best For | Individuals, small setups, one-time use, temporary kiosks | Businesses, schools, large-scale deployments, and permanent lockdown |
| App Switching Prevention | Yes – locks to a single app temporarily | Yes – fully locks the device to one app persistently |
| Device Control | Limited (basic touch restrictions, no remote control) | Full control (disable buttons, enforce policies, restrict hardware, and remote management) |
| Survives Reboot? | No resets on restart | Yes – remains locked even after reboot |
| Multi-device Deployment | Manual for each device | Centralized via dashboard for all devices |
| Custom Restrictions | Limited – disable certain screen areas or hardware buttons | Extensive – disable camera, Safari, app store, notifications, etc. |
| Technical Knowledge Required | Minimal – end users can set it up in minutes | Moderate – requires MDM knowledge and supervision profile |
| Security Level | Basic app lock, temporary | Enterprise-grade lockdown, permanent |
| Limited – disables certain screen areas or hardware buttons | Parents locking games, sales reps doing demos, and conference kiosks | Schools locking test apps, retail tablets in POS, and hospital check-in kiosks |
Both options help you lock down the iPad to one app, but the level of control, convenience, and scalability differ significantly.
Easy, isn’t it? Scalefusion, as an all-inclusive iOS MDM makes it a breeze to set up your iPad to a single App Mode, promising total ease-of-use and purposefulness for your business requirements.
In addition, Scalefusion provides various other tools to remotely monitor, control, and secure all your iPads across your organization, which gives a clear boost to your device performance, employee productivity, and overall business efficiency.
Ready to Lock your iPad to one app?
Deploy Single App Mode at Scale — Secure, Remote, Reliable
FAQs
What is iPad Single App Mode?
iPad Single App Mode is a configuration that restricts the device to only one app, disabling navigation, multitasking, and settings access. It’s ideal for businesses, schools, or public spaces where the iPad is used as a kiosk or dedicated device.
How to exit Guided Access mode?
Triple-click Home, enter your passcode, then tap “End Guided Access.”
Can I lock specific areas of the screen?
Yes, in Guided Access, triple-click Home, tap “Touch,” then circle areas to disable touch.
How to enable single app mode on an iPad?
Use Guided Access: Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > On. Set a passcode, open your desired app, then triple-click the Home button to activate.
Why should I lock down iPad to one app?
Locking down an iPad to one app prevents users from switching apps, accessing settings, or misusing the device. It’s essential in environments like retail, education, healthcare, and events where control and consistency are critical.
Is Single App Mode secure?
Yes. Single App Mode on iPad offers enterprise-grade security by disabling multitasking, hardware buttons, and system settings. It’s the most reliable way to lock iPads in one app at scale.
How to lock an iPad in one app for school or business?
Use an MDM solution like Scalefusion to enroll your iPad, supervise it, and apply a profile that activates iPad Single App Mode. This will fully lock the iPad on one app across all your devices.
