- March 31, 2020
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Renuka Shahane
Mobile devices have rapidly replaced bulky desktops and even laptops, thanks to their extremely handy hardware and equivalently work-friendly software. As enterprises invest heavily in mobile transformation, it is important to provision the mobile devices used for work with applications that employees need and love. And this is when the IT has to strike the right balance between equipping mobile devices with apps ensuring that the devices are exclusively used for work and nothing else.
Google Chrome- the popular browser across devices
Google Chrome is one of the most preferred desktop browsers with a market share of 67.66%¹ and the popularity of the browser doesn’t end here. Google Chrome also enjoys a fair share of preference and popularity on mobile devices. According to Statcounter, Google Chrome is used by more than 61%² of mobile users. This means that not just the employees but also the majority of the users and customers are familiar with Google Chrome and prefer it over any other browser.
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Setting Chrome browser in kiosk mode is hence one of the most efficient ways to enable seamless browsing on:
- Devices used by the frontline employees, delivery executive making use of web-apps accessible on Google Chrome
- Devices deployed as public browsers in waiting areas like airports, waiting areas and hotel lounges
One of the quickest devices to acquire, provision and maintain are Android tablets. Android devices are affordable, robust and easy-to-use which makes them one of the most commonly used devices by frontline executives as well as public browsers.
To set an Android device in kiosk mode to run Chrome browser, Scalefusion offers kiosk browsing mode. Let us learn the step-by-step process to configure Android Chrome Kiosk Mode with Scalefusion MDM
Get started on Scalefusion
Sign up or sign-in on the Scalefusion MDM platform. You can use your G-Suite or Azure AD credentials to create an account on Scalefusion. Enroll devices using Android Zero-touch for OOB enrollment or use from any of the enrollment methods available on Scalefusion.
Read more: Here’s How to Drive Bulk Device Enrollment with Scalefusion
Step 1: Add Google Chrome to your list of apps
Launch the My apps section from the Enterprise section of the Scalefusion dashboard. Click on Play for Work App settings. Search and add Google Chrome to the app list by providing appropriate permissions.
Now the app will be available for install on any Android device profile.
Step 2: Create/Edit Android device profile.
Navigate to the Device Profile section of the dashboard. Start editing the device profile or create a new Android device profile. Select Kiosk/Agent Profile mode. Add an exit passcode.
Step 3: Allow apps
Select Scalefusion to be configured as kiosk mode. Choose apps to be allowed on the Android device. Here, we will only select the Google Chrome app. Click on next to save settings.
Step 4: Select websites to be allowed on the Android chrome kiosk mode device
You can now select the list of websites to be allowed on the Android kiosk device. You can only select from the websites that are whitelisted previously. You can choose one or multiple websites to be allowed.
Learn more: What is Website Whitelisting: Why and How to Do It?
Step 5: Apply branding
Select and apply device branding to resonate with your company’s brand on the said Android devices locked in Chrome kiosk mode.
Step 6: Select Chrome browser to run as single app on Android kiosk device
From the dropdown, select Chrome browser at the default application on the Android kiosk device. Choose to run it all the time. Next, select and specify the default launch URL for the chrome browser. This is a mandatory step for configuring Google Chrome Browser in Android kiosk mode.
Step 7: Configure home screen and notification settings
After selecting Chrome browser in Android kiosk mode, now you can configure the home screen settings. Allow/block bottom navigation bar, control the home button, enforce full-screen mode and set screen orientation. This will offer the user a distraction-free browsing experience on Android Chrome Kiosk.
Step 8: Apply the settings to the Android kiosk device
You can further customize the display, volume, security and other settings for the device. Save your profile settings and your Android Chrome kiosk mode profile is ready. Navigate back to the device profile section and apply it on the devices for which you want to configure kiosk mode in Android Chrome Browser.
Using Scalefusion, you can now configure Android chrome kiosk mode and deploy the device for restricted browsing without hampering the overall user experience of Google Chrome on Android.
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