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BackHow do I put my Android tablet in kiosk mode?
To put an Android tablet in kiosk mode, you should use a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution. This software restricts the device to a specific app, website, or set of applications. It prevents users from accessing unauthorized settings or games. While “Screen Pinning” works for temporary use, a UEM ensures a secure, permanent Android kiosk mode.
Method 1: The Enterprise Standard (UEM)
Using a UEM like Hexnode is the only scalable method for businesses. It replaces the standard Android interface with a secure Kiosk launcher. This launcher blocks access to the notification bar and system settings. It ensures the device remains locked even after a reboot.
How to set it up:
- Enroll the Device: Register your Android tablet within the Hexnode UEM portal.
- Create a Policy: Navigate to the Policies tab. Select Kiosk Lockdown and then Android Kiosk Lockdown.
- Select Mode: Choose android single app kiosk mode for dedicated tasks. This is perfect for self-service kiosks. Alternatively, select android multi-app kiosk mode. This allows employees to use a specific set of approved tools.
- Configure Extras: You can also whitelist specific websites. This restricts web browsing to safe domains only.
- Apply Policy: Push the kiosk policy remotely to the target devices. Depending on the enrollment method and device configuration, the device activates kiosk mode automatically, or you may need to complete the activation steps documented by Hexnode.
Method 2: The Consumer Option (Screen Pinning)
You can use Android’s native Screen Pinning for a quick fix. This feature is built into most Android phones and tablets. It is best suited for a single personal device. It is not meant for commercial deployments.
How to use it:
- Setup: Go to Settings. Tap on Security or Biometrics and Security. Select Advanced and find App Pinning. Turn the toggle on.
- Activate: Open the app you want to lock. Swipe up to the Overview (Recent Apps) screen. Tap the app icon at the top. Select Pin.
- Limitation: Screen Pinning is intended for temporary, local use and does not provide centralized remote management, policy deployment, or enterprise kiosk controls.
Key Takeaway
For secure management, skip native screen pinning and deploy a UEM-based Android Kiosk Lockdown policy.
FAQ
Yes. Hexnode can remotely deploy supported app updates and policy changes. When updating an app running in Single App Kiosk, you may need to exit the app to the kiosk launcher to begin the update; on some devices, you must select the wrench icon to install or update it.
Yes, once you apply a UEM policy, the tablet stays locked offline and after reboots. The tablet only needs internet to receive new policies or remote commands from the admin console.
Hexnode allows administrators to remotely manage kiosk devices, including reapplying kiosk policies. Remote restart is available on supported platforms and enrollment modes. In single-app kiosk mode, you can set the configured kiosk app to relaunch after reboot according to the kiosk policy configuration.
