Multi App Kiosk Mode Setup Guide: For Android, Win and iPad

Multi app kiosk mode is a feature that allows IT admins to configure devices to operate in a locked-down mode. In this mode, the device is restricted to running only specific applications, preventing customers/employees from accessing other apps or settings.

This is a powerful solution that offers a range of benefits across various industries. Using this method, we can restrict our target devices to certain applications for various purposes. This post will explain how to configure it on various devices and explore the advantages of multi app kiosk mode in various businesses.

Set Up Android Multi App Mode

1 : How to Set Up Multi App Kiosk Mode?

1 How to Set Up Multi App Kiosk Mode?

Lock Android Devices into Multi App Kiosk Mode

AirDroid Business is an Android device management software, which provides functions of kiosk mode configurations, remote monitoring, control and security policy.

Set up Android Multi App Kiosk with AirDroid Business

First of all, you would need an AirDroid account to log into the MDM admin console(It is a panel to activate Android MDM kiosk mode for all enrolled devices). You can sign up by clicking the free trial button below.

Step 1.Log in
Log in your AirDroid account and enter the AirDroid Business admin console.

Step 2.Create kiosk config file
Click on "Privacy & Kiosk Config Files" - "Kiosk" to create a new config file and then find the "App Allowlist for kiosk" tab from the menu displayed on the screen. Here allows you to approve the applications that are allowed for use on your managed devices.

Step 3.Apply kiosk config file to your target devices
Select the devices/device groups to which you want to apply this kiosk config file. After saving, these devices will be locked into the allowed applications you specify and cannot access other apps or settings.

Advanced Kiosk Features of AirDroid Business

Lockdown any number of Android devices into specific apps or websites. Under this situation, you can lock your custom apps, Google Play Store apps, web apps or any websites on your kiosks, only authorized applications/websites are allowed to run on the device, ensuring that users can only access approved apps.
Remote distribute, update and uninstall apps.
All network and other device issues are troubleshot remotely by controlling the device directly from the dashboard. It also helps provide technical support and other help to the employees/customers remotely by the IT team.
Configure security policies to ensure the compliance of your devices, such as system settings: passwords, Wi-Fi, hotspot, display settings etc.
Monitor device performance in real-time, including online/offline status, data usage reports, battery and storage capacity etc. It can also provide alerts for abnormal situations with the devices. The workflow feature will auto-perform some triggered tasks.

Windows 10 Multi App Mode

Using Intune, you can turn your Windows devices into dedicated devices limited to a few specific apps for focused work. It offers smooth customization of the start menu and allows you to add a web browser on the home page.

Note : Generally, Intune supports only one kiosk profile on one device; you need to use Custom OMA-URI for an increased number of profiles.

Step 1: Sign in

Create an account on Microsoft Intune and sign in to its admin center.

Step 2: Start creating a profile

On the console, search for the "Devices" tab and find the "Configuration profiles" option to select it. Then click the "Create Profile" button. Select the platform as "Windows 10" from the options list. Select "Templates" and "Kiosk" in the "Profile" tab. Now click on the "Create" button.

Step 3: Profile description

Enter the profile name and a description of the new profile in the "Basics" tab and select Next.

Step 4: Select multi-app as kiosk mode

In the Configuration Settings tab, you will select a kiosk mode as a multi-app kiosk. Other options include single-app kiosk mode and not configured option. Only the chosen apps will get access to operate on the devices, while all other devices' functions and apps will be disabled. Then click the Next button.

Step 5: Enter scope tags and select users

Use the Scope tags to filter this profile to specific groups you want and click "Next". Add the particular users and groups to receive the profile and click "Next" again.

Step 6: Review and trigger to launch the profile

Now, you will get a review and create option. Review all your configurations and settings and save.

Step 6: Review and trigger to launch the profile

Step 7: Assign multi-app kiosk profile on managed devices

To assign the policies on multiple devices and groups, open the "Devices" tab and then "Configuration Profiles", you will see all the profiles here. Select the kiosk profile that you created to open its properties. Then select the "Assignments" and "Edit" tab. Now select the users and groups by customizing the included and excluded groups section. You can also select all users or all devices to deploy it on all managed devices. After that, select "Review" to verify the details and press the "Save" button. Once you save it, the policy will be assigned to the selected devices.

Windows 11 Multi App Mode

You can enable multi-app kiosk mode on Windows 11 using the ScaleFusion. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Create a new profile

Go to Scalefusion dashboard and navigate to the "Devices" tab from the left menu and click on it. A few options will appear below it. Click the "Device Profiles and Policies" tab to select the "Device Policies" option. Move the cursor to the right and select the "Create a New Profile" tab.

Step 2: Choose the Windows platform and kiosk mode

Click on "Windows" platform and write the profile name in the box. Then, press the "Submit" button to proceed. Select "multi-app kiosk mode" and configure policy mode based on your requirements.

Step 3: Configure kiosk user

Click on the second step to configure the kiosk user. Select "auto-create kiosk user account" and enter the account name.

Step 4: Select the apps

Enable each app you want to run on your Windows devices by moving the slider to the right. You can also click on edit app details to customize the app names and icons.

Step 5: Manage General Settings

Move to the next step, i.e., General Settings. You can select the startup app for your managed devices and add folder restrictions here. Then click on the "Save" button to save the profile.

Step 6: Apply the profile

Click the "Apply" tab on the dashboard and choose the devices option. Add the devices here to enable multi-app kiosk mode on selected devices.

iPad Multi App Kiosk Mode

Unfortunately, the iPad's built-in functionality only allows users to set single app mode. iPad is often locked down to serve as self-seivice kiosk in a restaurant, allowing only the ordering app/POS system to be accessed. Moreover, it may be used as an educational device for students, restricting access to apps related to learning. In this part, we will discuss how to lock the iPad into kiosk mode with Guided Access feature..

First of all, open "Settings" on your iPad.
Go to "Accessibility" and then tap on "Guided Access."
Turn on Guided Access and set a passcode that will be used to exit Guided Access mode.

Open the app you want to use in multi app mode.
Quickly press the reset button or the Home button 3 times to start Guided Access.

Adjust settings if needed, then tap "Start" in the top right corner. Then, your iPad is locked into kiosk mode, and only the selected application is available for users.

2 Single App vs. Multi-App, Which Kiosk Mode Should You Choose?

	Single-app Kiosk Mode	Multi app Kiosk Mode
Definition	A configuration that lock the devices to run only a single app on targeted devices.	A configuration that allows more than one but selected apps to run on targeted devices.
Suitable for	Single purpose devices used both privately and publically.	Using multiple apps for a specific purpose on devices. A single device which is used for multiple purposes.

Examples of Application Scenarios

1. Single-app Kiosk Mode

ATMs are single app devices used by the public to perform all basic operations using their bank accounts.
Devices used for digital signage in public places are a good example of single-app kiosks.
Restaurants use devices only for placing orders.

2. Multi app Kiosk Mode

In the education sector, a device is restricted to multiple apps related to learning.
In healthcare, devices are allowed to access multiple apps for health-related issues.
Best for shared devices like call centre shifts are on rotation, and workers keep changing. So, they can utilize the same devices for multiple purposes to save costs.

3 Multi app Kiosk Mode for Different Industries and Needs

Multi-app mode enables us to create our devices purpose-built for the growth and smooth working of our business in different areas of life.

It also helps us limit the target devices to a certain boundary to access the apps. Let's examine the applications of the multi app mode in several important industries:

Electronic Retailer

Electronic retailer is a vast field with big turnovers. Such as some of them provide an interphone rental service. They set up the interphone to multi-Kiosk mode before renting large organizations so that the companies can perform certain daily routine operations.

It may include the biometric system devices installed in offices for attendance. These devices are also used to perform other operations. In offices and large organizations, devices are provided to the employees with access to multiple apps so that they can be made purpose-built and handle multiple tasks.

Educational Institutions

In the past few years, online teaching has been trending. Everyone wants to learn online and save a lot of time with cost. Digital learning has become necessary for every organization to teach students. But there are a lot of threats of misuse of devices by students.

Devices are protected with multi app kiosk mode to overcome such issues by limiting device access to irrelevant applications. Only those apps are accessed on devices relevant to students' learning.

Transportation & Logistics

A lot of technological advancement has been observed in the transportation and logistics industry. Owners of the vehicles can track their locations and also watch what is happening with the help of technology.

Most goods are transported using trucks and other heavy vehicles. Truck drivers are given devices that can help them with operations, like Google Maps and other relevant apps. Using multi app kiosk mode, we can restrict them only to such apps.

Recovery Center (Mental Health/Alcohol/Drugs Rehab Treatment)

Recovery centers that deal with drug addiction and mental health-affected people use kiosk devices to recover patients. Recovery centers develop healthy apps to monitor the patients and their body indexes. They would lock their devices into multi-app mode to only allow access to those specific apps that are required.

Nursing Home

In the nursing home, caretakers are working for the betterment of people and to provide them with basic health facilities. People of different ages, preferably older people, are there and need proper assistance.

Specific apps are developed to provide assistance to the care takers for their easier and effective working. Multi-app mode enables the care takers to use the devices only for their job related purpose and access all the apps that are added in the Kiosk list to make the devices purpose-built.

4 FAQs about Multi-app Mode

How Many Apps Does A Kiosk Device Usually Run?

Usually, a kiosk device runs only a single app. It is made possible by using single-app kiosk mode. On the other hand, more than one app can be selected to run on a kiosk device using the kiosk’s multi app feature.

Is It Possible to Use A USB Drive on A Kiosk?

Under normal circumstances, when the device is set to kiosk mode, enterprises will restrict the use of USB for the sake of device safety, but it does not rule out that some devices are not restricted.

How to Allow Apps/Settings on Multi app Kiosk Mode?

The simplest way to allow Apps on multi app kiosk mode is by using AirDroid Business MDM for Android devices. On Windows 10, you can use Microsoft Intune and the provisioning packages.

Is Multi app kiosk Mode Secure?

Yes, multi app kiosk mode is a secure feature as it allows only a few trusted apps to run on devices and blocks all other applications. The security terms of the multi app kiosk mode are high, which is why it is safe.

5 TakeAways

Hopefully, the notion of multi app kiosk mode and its applications in the field of healthcare, e-commerce, transportation, logistics, etc., are now apparent. With multi app kiosk mode, devices may be limited to specific apps to do activities efficiently.

AirDroid Business is one of the best applications for launching Android multi app kiosk mode. We also examined the configuration of multi app mode for Windows OS and iPad devices. It contributes to increased employee productivity by tying them to work-related applications. It also facilitates the administrator's management of the devices.

Set Up Android Multi App Mode

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