What is Kiosk Mode and How to Enable it?

Customer engagement in the modern business world is key to retention and loyalty. As per study¹, when customers are engaged, they spend 60% more on each purchase. In an era where efficiency and customer engagement are paramount, kiosks have emerged as a transformative solution for businesses across various industries. Whether you’re looking to streamline processes in retail, hospitality, or public service, understanding kiosk mode can significantly enhance your business’s functionality and user experience. Once businesses become aware of the importance of kiosk mode, they can witness how it protects devices and optimizes customer interactions, making operations smoother and more efficient.

Tracing back to its origins, kiosk systems have evolved remarkably—from the simple standalone units that were once a novel way to deliver information and services to today’s sophisticated digital solutions that integrate seamlessly with the broader tech infrastructure of a business. 

In this blog, we break down the steps to configure kiosk mode, ensuring you can harness its full potential to meet your business needs.

What is Kiosk Mode?

Kiosk mode is a powerful feature in device management that transforms devices running on Android, Windows, and iOS into dedicated, purpose-driven kiosk machines designed to run single or multiple applications, websites, or a specific set of functions. Kiosk management’s meaning becomes clear when you see it in action—essentially locking down a device to restrict user access to other applications, settings, or files that aren’t part of the intended user experience, which also results in saving excess data costs. This focused approach enhances security by minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and tampering. It further streamlines the user experience, making it straightforward and more intuitive.

Businesses and IT admin typically configure kiosks on public access terminals, in-store digital signage, point-of-sale (POS), or devices used for specific tasks in industries like retail, healthcare, and education, ensuring these devices are used exactly as intended, without distractions or deviations.

Different Types of Kiosk Mode

When deploying kiosk lockdown across various devices, it’s important to understand that there are several configurations available, each suited to different types of usage and environments. 

Here’s a breakdown of the primary types of kiosk modes you can implement:

1. Single App Mode

Single app kiosk mode is the most restricted form of kiosk management. It allows the device to run only one application. Once activated, users cannot access any other applications, settings, or functions on the device. This is ideal for situations where a specific task needs to be performed without distraction, such as ticket vending machines at stations or registration terminals at events.

2. Multi-App Kiosk Mode

Multi-app kiosk mode provides a bit more flexibility than its single-app kiosk management counterpart. It allows the device to run a limited number of pre-selected applications. This setup is useful in environments where users need access to a few essential apps but should be restricted from the full range of device capabilities. Examples include educational tablets that only allow access to learning tools and resources or corporate devices restricted to business-related applications.

3. Browser Kiosk Mode

Browser kiosk mode restricts the device to browser-based interaction, limiting users to specific websites or web applications. This mode is commonly used in public libraries, where users can search databases or access information sites but are barred from browsing the wider internet. This ensures kiosk devices are used solely for informational purposes.

Each type of kiosk management mode serves unique business needs, enhancing both security and user experience by tailoring the device’s functionality to specific tasks. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the right kiosk app for your objectives, ensuring optimal operation and efficiency.

How Does Kiosk Mode Work, and What are its Key Features?

Kiosk mode fundamentally transforms the way devices are used, focusing on enhancing user interactions while ensuring high levels of security and efficiency. Managed through Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions, kiosk software provides IT admins with comprehensive control over how a device functions and restricts user access to pre-defined policies only.

1. Controlled Device Launcher

In kiosk lockdown, the default device launcher is completely replaced with a new, customized launcher. This adjustment allows IT administrators to control the user interface tightly and ensure users only interact with the apps, settings, and websites that have been explicitly approved. This customization can include everything from the apps displayed on the home screen to the availability of system settings and notification panels.

2. Configurable App and Website Access

With MDM solutions, administrators have the tools to configure devices in either single or multi-app kiosk mode. In one app mode, the device is locked to run only one application, ideal for highly specialized tasks. Multi-app mode, on the other hand, allows users to access a limited selection of essential apps, suitable for tasks that require more flexibility but still need considerable control.

3. Hardware and Software Key Management

Kiosk lockdown also extends to the management of hardware and software keys, ensuring users cannot use them to exit the app or modify the device settings. This includes disabling buttons like Home, Back, and Recent Apps, as well as control keys like volume and power and USB ports.

4. Display Settings and Notification Management

IT administrators can configure display settings tailored to the specific use case of the device, such as brightness levels and screen timeouts, enhancing both usability and energy efficiency. Notifications can be curtailed to prevent distractions and ensure devices remain focused on their intended purpose.

5. Restricted Browser Access

For devices that need internet access, kiosk mode can be configured to restrict browser use to whitelisted websites only. This ensures users can only access sites that are deemed necessary and safe, which is particularly useful in public access kiosks or educational settings where content needs to be controlled.

6. Customized User Interface

Kiosk mode allows for customization of UI to suit specific tasks. This can include custom backgrounds, branding, and accessibility features tailored to the user interaction required. The interface is often simplified to reduce confusion and guide the user more effectively through the available services or information, making it user-friendly even for first-time users.

Through the use of MDM software, setting up and managing kiosks becomes a streamlined and powerful way to optimize device functionality while maintaining strict control over user access and device security. This approach enhances the operational efficiency of devices and significantly boosts their security profiles.

How to Enable Kiosk Mode with Scalefusion Kiosk Software

Kiosk mode can greatly enhance the security and efficiency of device usage in business environments, and using a robust Kiosk Solution like Scalefusion makes this process streamlined and effective. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to turn on kiosk mode on various devices, including Android, iOS, and Windows, using Scalefusion.

Setting Up Kiosk Mode on Android Devices

1. Sign Up and Configure Scalefusion Dashboard: Begin by creating an account on Scalefusion and setting up your dashboard. You can add your organization’s details and user roles.
2. Device Enrollment: Enroll your Android devices via QR code or an enrollment link sent to the device. Scalefusion will guide you through the process to grant necessary permissions. 
3. Configure Kiosk Policies: Within the Scalefusion dashboard, navigate to the ‘Device Profile’ section and create an Android kiosk profile. Hereafter, you can select the apps you want to allow on the device. You can also customize the user interface by adding your brand’s logo and background.
4. Deploy the Configuration: Once your policies are set, deploy them to the enrolled devices. The devices will lockdown into kiosk mode, running only the selected apps.

Learn More: How to Put Android Devices in Kiosk Mode?

Setting Up Kiosk Mode on iOS Devices

1. Device Enrollment: Use Apple’s Device Enrollment Program (DEP) to enroll iOS devices with Scalefusion. This provides a seamless integration.
2. App and Content Management: Choose which apps are allowed on the device. Scalefusion allows you to push these apps directly from the Apple App Store via the dashboard.
3. Activate Kiosk Mode: To activate iPad kiosk mode, Apply the kiosk settings by configuring the home screen layout, background, and permitted apps. Once applied, the device will restrict access to only the allowed apps.

Learn More: How to Put iOS Devices in Kiosk Mode?

Setting Up Kiosk Mode in Windows 10 and 11 Devices

1. Device Enrollment: Enroll your Windows 10 or Windows 11 devices using Scalefusion’s Windows enrollment options. This involves installing the Scalefusion Windows client on the device.
2. Configuring Applications: Specify which applications and features are accessible on the device. Scalefusion Windows kiosk mode supports both desktop and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps.
3. Deploy Settings: Finalize your configuration and push these settings to the Windows devices. The kiosk mode will take effect, limiting user interaction to specified applications and features.

By following the above steps, you can effectively utilize Scalefusion to enable kiosk mode across multiple device platforms, ensuring your devices are secure and tailored to your operational needs. 

Learn More: How to Turn off Kiosk Mode

Benefits of Kiosk Mode from Large Enterprises to SMBs

Kiosk mode is an invaluable tool for businesses of all sizes, from sprawling enterprises to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This mode enhances both operational efficiency and customer experience by transforming standard digital devices into dedicated task-specific terminals. 

Here’s a look at the key benefits that kiosk mode offers across the business spectrum.

Benefits	Large Enterprises	SMBs
Enhanced Customer Service	Allows for complex integrations with existing enterprise systems to enhance customer self-service.	Enables cost-effective, self-service solutions that improve customer interaction and satisfaction.
Increased Operational Efficiency	Streamlines major operational processes, integrates seamlessly with large-scale systems, improving overall workflow efficiency.	Simplifies operations, allowing staff to focus on more strategic activities rather than routine tasks.
Cost Reduction	Reduces need for extensive manpower in customer-facing roles, leading to significant long-term savings.	Minimizes operational costs by reducing staffing requirements, making technology accessible and affordable.
Improved Security and Compliance	Ensures robust security protocols and compliance with international data protection regulations.	Protects sensitive customer data and ensures compliance with local regulations, crucial for maintaining trust.
Scalability and Flexibility	Easily scales with enterprise needs, capable of supporting numerous devices and complex configurations.	Provides flexibility to adapt technology as the business grows, without needing significant additional investments.

Benefits of Kiosk Mode

Industry-Specific Use Cases of Kiosk Mode Software

Kiosk mode has transformative applications across various sectors, optimizing operations and enhancing customer interactions. Here’s a look at how different industries leverage kiosks to drive efficiency and innovation.

Retail: In the retail industry, devices running in kiosk mode can serve multiple purposes, from digital catalogs and self-checkout stations to loyalty program management. These kiosks help reduce queue times, provide detailed product information, and streamline the shopping experience, encouraging increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Healthcare: Healthcare facilities utilize kiosk mode to facilitate patient check-ins, enhance frontline operations, and streamline dedicated device management processes. This improves the efficiency of administrative tasks and patient privacy by securely handling sensitive information. Additionally, informational kiosks in waiting areas can provide health tips and facility maps, improving the patient and visitor experience.

Banking and Finance: Banks and financial institutions use kiosk mode to lock devices for self-service banking functions such as account management, bill payments, and fund transfers. These kiosks offer extended service hours and reduce the workload on branch staff, leading to better customer service and reduced operational costs.

Hospitality: In the hospitality industry, kiosk mode powers devices for self-service check-ins and check-outs at hotels, speeding up processes and reducing wait times for guests. Informational kiosks can also assist guests with local attractions, dining options, and hotel amenities, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Education: Schools and universities need seamless classroom device management and promote a digital learning environment. More importantly, educational institutes can lock student devices in multi-app kiosk mode to prevent distractions and offer better online safety. 

Each of the above use cases demonstrates how kiosk mode can be tailored to meet specific industry needs, enhancing efficiency and customer engagement while ensuring security and compliance with industry standards.

Choose Scalefusion MDM for All Your Kiosk Mode Requirements

Kiosk mode is a versatile and secure solution for enhancing operational efficiency and customer interaction across various industries. By implementing kiosk device management, organizations can streamline processes, safeguard sensitive information, and provide a focused, user-friendly experience. Whether you’re in retail, healthcare, education, or any other sector, your devices can be customized to meet your specific needs and objectives.

Interested in seeing how kiosk mode can transform your business operations? Contact our experts and schedule a demo to discover the entire range of Scalefusion’s kiosk management capabilities. Sign up to start your 14-day free trial, today!