What is Android Kiosk Mode?
What is Android Kiosk Mode?
Android Kiosk Mode refers to a method of converting Android tablets and phones into special-purpose devices which are only meant to be used in lockdown mode. It is especially useful for businesses due to the fact that users cannot misuse devices in kiosk mode. You can configure kiosk mode on Android devices by locking down the devices and only allowing the users to access certain approved applications. Once kiosk lockdown is set up, the device runs in an immersive kiosk-type environment that completely prevents device and app misuse (whether intended or unintended).
For instance, imagine a trucking company that wants to provide tablets to its drivers, but only wants drivers to use only a navigation app (such as Google Maps) and an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) application without any distracting fun apps. The trucking company’s IT team sets up kiosk mode on the tablets and allows only the Google Maps and ELD apps. In kiosk mode, the tablet shows only the icons for these two apps on the home screen. This means drivers can launch and access these two apps, but everything else is blocked for them.
Reasons for using Android kiosk mode
- Improve user/worker productivity
Kiosk mode keeps workers focused on their jobs, as they are not distracted by other apps or the operating system itself.
2. Reduce device maintenance costs
Users are unable to misuse and break devices or interfere with app functionality, as devices are completely locked down. Imagine a user uninstalls a business app by mistake while they are out in the field; the resulting downtime can be very expensive. This scenario can be avoided completely by locking down devices into Android kiosk mode.
3. Avoid excessive data usage
In kiosk mode, users are not allowed to access the internet for entertainment purposes. This includes activities like watching YouTube and Netflix.
4. Improve a company’s security posture and minimize risk exposure
Strict lockdown kiosk mode settings reduce the chances of users downloading and installing malicious software.
If you want to set up Android lockdown mode on your tablets or phones, you can use Android Kiosk Software from 42Gears. As is evident from the many 5-star reviews posted on the Google Play Store, 42Gears’ software has been the most trusted kiosk solution for Android for many years.
