iPad kiosk mode describes locking an iPad to a single app. The features that do this are called “Guided Access” and “Single App Mode,” and while both behave slightly differently, they let you set up your iPad (or iPhone) as a kiosk device by locking it to a single app, restricting access to all other apps, settings, and shortcuts.
This guide will show you how to use your iPad as a kiosk, including setup instructions, features, benefits, and customization options, and how it can be utilized in business, education, and at home.
Understanding iPad kiosk mode
“Kiosk mode” is a general term for configuring a device for use in a public setting, locking it down so that only certain tasks can be performed. Usually, this means locking a device to a single app, like a shop’s catalog, a restaurant’s menu, an office employee directory, or a video demonstration at a trade show.
In all of these scenarios, customers can benefit from self service and increased interaction and engagement with your brand or business without the risk of them abusing access to your devices. iPads are a versatile and cost-effective alternative to commercial kiosk hardware that can also be repurposed for other tasks.
Locking a device to a single app is also useful in other settings: in education, it can be used to make sure that students stay on task, and it can be used at home to make sure children can only access an approved app (so you don’t hand them the iPad so they can play Tetris only to find them messing with your tax records).
There are two ways to implement a kiosk using an iPad, depending on how it is configured:
- Guided Access: Guided Access is available on every iPhone and iPad in the Settings. It restricts your iPad to a single app until your passcode is entered.
- Single App Mode: Single App mode is available on iPads that are supervised by a business or educational organization that is managing its iOS devices using the Apple Configurator, Apple Business Manager, or Apple School Manager.
Setting up iPad kiosk mode using guided access
To set up your iPad as a kiosk with guided access, follow these steps:
- Open your iPad’s Settings.
- Navigate to Accessibility.
- Tap Passcode Settings to set a passcode that will end the guided access session (exiting kiosk mode).
- To start guided access mode, open the app you want your customers to be able to access and press the side button of your device three times (on older devices with a home button, click the home button three times instead).
- Start Guided Access by tapping Start in the top right corner of the screen.
- To end the guided access session, press the side or home button of your device three times, enter the Guided Access passcode you set earlier, and then click End in the top-left of the screen.
Make sure the app that you restrict your users to is well designed and offers the functionality your users require, as your users will not be able to navigate outside of it.
Setting up iPad kiosk mode using single app mode
To set up your iPad as a kiosk using single app mode for supervised devices, follow these steps:
- Ensure that the device you will be using as a kiosk is supervised.
- Download and Open the Apple Configurator on the Mac you will use to configure the iPad.
- Connect your iPad and select it in Apple Configurator.
- Navigate to Actions > Advanced > Start Single App Mode.
- Choose the app that will be used on your kiosk.
- Click Options to make any further customizations, then click Select App to complete the process.
To end Single App Mode, you will need to reconnect your device and disable it from Apple Configurator — it is not possible to disable Single App Mode from the device itself.
iPad kiosk customization and features
There are a few features that you can enable and disable to customize your kiosk experience.
In the Guided Access Settings, you can toggle Accessibility Shortcut to allow users to access Accessibility Shortcut settings by triple pressing the side or home button, as well as setting (or disabling) a different Display Auto Lock timeout.
You can further customize how your iPad kiosk behaves by tapping Options after triple pressing the side or power buttons to enable Guided Access. These options include enabling and disabling the sleep and volume buttons, locking device rotation, and disabling the keyboard or touchscreen.
If you are using Single App Mode on a supervised device, you can customize these options from the Options menu when starting Single App Mode.
Best practices for using iPad as a kiosk
There are a few things you should consider when setting up your iPad as a kiosk in a business environment. First, make sure the device is physically secured so that it can’t be stolen. Second, ensure any ports and speakers are covered to avoid dirt and grime. If you intend for the public to interact with the device, sanitize it regularly so that it doesn’t look grubby and unhygienic (otherwise, nobody will use it, rendering it useless).
As for the software your customers will be using, make sure it is user friendly and doesn’t give users the opportunity to access any unintended content. If there’s an unsecured browser window in your app, someone might find it and use it in a way that may be harmful to your business. Make sure your employees understand how to troubleshoot your iPad kiosks so that customer-facing problems can be resolved quickly.
Using an MDM provider to set up secure iPad kiosks
In a business context, using mobile device management (MDM) platforms to turn your devices into public kiosks is the best option. The security of these devices is paramount to prevent them becoming a cybersecurity attack vector that could lead to a hack or data breach.
NinjaOne provides an MDM solution with features tailored for creating iPad kiosks for business. In addition to being able to restrict which apps your iPads have access to, you can also customize the user interface of the iPad OS, remotely manage and control each device, enforce device encryption (in case it is stolen), and monitor for unintended usage.
