WhatsApp installed as VPP app but hidden in iOS kioskSolved

Hello @pauel ,

For iOS devices, WhatsApp should be deployed as a VPP app if you are managing it through Apple Business.

The general flow is:

1. In Apple Business, go to Apps and Books.
2. Search for WhatsApp and acquire the required number of licenses.
3. Assign the licenses to the correct location or organization.
4. In Hexnode, go to Admin > Apple Business/School Manager > Apple VPP.
5. Sync the VPP account so the newly acquired app licenses are available in Hexnode.
6. Deploy WhatsApp using either the Install Application remote action or by adding it under Required Apps policy.

However, installing the app and showing it in kiosk mode are separate steps. If the device is in iOS multi-app kiosk, WhatsApp must also be added to the kiosk app list under the kiosk lockdown configuration. Otherwise, the app may be installed on the device but hidden by the kiosk policy.

I added WhatsApp under Required Apps, and it looks like it installs. But when I apply the iOS kiosk policy, I still can’t see it on the device.

Required Apps only handles installation. For iOS kiosk, you need to edit the kiosk lockdown configuration itself.

Open the policy applied to the device and check this path:

Policies > Kiosk Lockdown > iOS Kiosk Lockdown > Multi App

Then add WhatsApp to the list of allowed kiosk apps. If the policy is not editable from the current view, use Manage > Modify in the policy page first. Also make sure you are adding the app from the Kiosk Lockdown section, not just from the iOS > Required Apps section.

Regards,
Simon Scott
Hexnode UEM