How to enable iPad into kiosk mode

The iPad may have started out as a consumer device, but since the release of the first iPad, they’ve become incredibly powerful. These are great drawing tools, and lower-level models tend to replace POS stations in many places. To make it all easier, iPad has a kiosk mode which basically allows the iPad to display only one app that the user can interact with.

IPad Kiosk Mode

IPad kiosk mode “blocks” one application on the screen. The user is free to interact with this one application and use all of its functions, but cannot switch from it to another application. This feature ensures that users do not accidentally close the kiosk application. For parents, this prevents children from accessing apps that are not intended for them or tampering with important account and device settings.

Enabling iPad Kiosk Mode – Single App Mode

Single app mode is a bit tricky to set up. You need Mac access and you have to connect your iPad to the Mac before you can put it into single app mode, but this is the right way to do it. If you’re looking for a faster solution, you can use the guided access method from the next section.

1. Make sure the app you want to use in kiosk mode is installed on your iPad.
2. Download the Apple Configurator 2 app from the App Storeon your Mac .
3. Connect iPad to your Mac.
4. Open Apple Configurator 2.
5. Select a device, and from the menu bar, select Actions> More> Start Single Application Mode.
6. Select Surveillance Mode(you can undo this, but you will have to reset the device to factory settings rather than restore it from a backup made after the device was put into Surveillance Mode.
7. Select an applicationfrom the list.
8. Click Select Application.
9. You can exit single app mode by connecting your iPad to your Mac.
10. Open Apple Configurator 2.
11. Go to Actions> Advanced> Stop Single Application Mode.

Note. The iPad will still be in Observe Mode even if you exit Single App Mode.

Enable iPad Kiosk Mode – Guided Access

Guided Access is intended for use by parents or teachers. Easier to set up. You don’t need a Mac and you can set it up on iPad.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Accessibility> Guided Access.
3. Turn on the Guided Access switch.
4. Turn on Passcode / Touch ID / Face ID to log out of Guided Access.
5. Open the appyou want to put into kiosk mode.
6. Threeclick ” Home” , or three times the side switch / Wake / Sleep.
7. Click Start in the Guided Access panelat the top.
8. To exit Guided Access mode , press the Home button or the Sleep / Wake side button three times.
9. Enter password.
10. Click Endin the upper left corner to exit Guided Access.

Conclusion

If you are going to use iPad as a POS terminal or real kiosk, use the single app mode method. It is best designed for this purpose. If you only need to switch your application to this mode from time to time, Guided Access is the way to go. It’s easier to undo and you don’t need a Mac to turn it on.