Leverage Android Kiosk Mode to Prevent Device Misuse and Improve Productivity

What is Android Kiosk Mode?

When an Android device is locked into kiosk mode, IT admins can gain full control over the device’s operations, primarily for business purposes. For instance, IT admins can prevent device misuse when kiosk mode is enabled on an Android device. Unfortunately, many admins do not restrict what device users can access. As such, device misuse is not very uncommon when devices are stationed at public locations such as libraries, hotel lobbies, or museums. Android kiosks counter this challenge by allowing only a specific set of apps to run, thereby turning devices into dedicated purpose devices.

Any Android device (including smartphones, tablets, PoS devices, and Wear OS smartwatches) can be easily transformed into a dedicated purpose device with Android kiosk mode. Therefore, businesses can restrict users from accessing any non-official applications or websites. Additionally, Android kiosk mode can prevent users from connecting potential peripherals that may hamper devices in the long run.

What are the Benefits of Android Kiosk Mode?

There are multiple benefits of kiosk mode on Android devices.

Instantly transform any Android device into a dedicated purpose device

By enabling kiosk mode on Android devices, you can restrict access to specific pre-approved apps and functions only. This means that businesses can securely deploy Android devices at various locations and still ensure that the devices are being used for their intended purpose. IT teams can enable a single app or multi-app mode, and specify custom configuration settings to run on the device that creates a safe self-serve dedicated device fit for use in any scenario.

Experience improved employee productivity

Employee productivity is a serious concern for companies distributing consumer devices to their employees for the purpose of performing business-critical tasks. Employees can easily download a number of gaming, shopping, and entertainment applications on these devices. This, in turn, can be distracting during work hours. Therefore, by setting up kiosk mode on Android devices, businesses can rest assured that workers focus only on the task at hand.

Ensure Device Security

Sometimes workers tend to download a variety of applications and files on work devices that may be the gateway to potential malware or even data theft and data loss. Android kiosk mode restricts users from downloading unnecessary apps and files. As a result, the probability of data loss and data theft is significantly reduced.

Reduce Instances of Device Downtime

When companies procure mobile devices for business purposes, they must configure them to ensure optimized usage. For example, restaurants must configure consumer-facing Android devices (touch screen devices) to display digital menu cards so that customers can easily place their orders. By configuring Android kiosk mode on the device, users cannot access or alter device settings. Also, it is important to consider devices are used by customers who have limited technical knowledge. Thus, restaurants must ensure the devices operate smoothly in order to minimize overall device downtime. Moreover, admins can easily push custom settings to control Wi-Fi, brightness, and volume. The end result is that IT teams get fewer calls than they would have otherwise.

Reduce Operational Costs

Android devices support a wide variety of non-business apps. Installing these fun entertainment apps on business devices and browsing on them can result in data overages. To restrict users from consuming unnecessary content on these apps, IT teams can enable Android Kiosk Mode. This will also curb excessive mobile data usage, thereby reducing operating costs.

What Can You Do When Devices are in Android Kiosk Mode?

Businesses can easily provision and maintain a device fleet from a central location when Android kiosk mode is enabled. When kiosk mode is enabled on Android devices such as smartphones, tablets, PoS, and rugged devices, IT admins can

• Push apps, device settings, and OS update remotely.
• Manage device settings such as brightness, battery, and notifications remotely.
• Control peripheral settings such as Camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and GPS remotely.
• Customize secure browser settings.
• Ensure app security and prevent unwanted access by certain users.
• Manage multiple users on devices.
• Track user productivity by analyzing app usage.
• Display customized branding.

A Few Use Cases for Android Kiosk Mode

Restaurant Kiosks

Enabling kiosk mode on self-ordering touch screen devices at restaurants allows customers to browse and select items on the app. Kiosks speed up the ordering time and provide an improved customer experience. Also, this prevents device misuse. Brands can easily upsell and cross-sell products which ultimately helps in boosting overall revenue.

Student Tablets

Today, major educational institutions use kiosk solutions to lock down Android tablets into Android Kiosk Mode in the classroom. As you might expect, locking down Android devices allows students to safely browse through only various approved education apps and websites. More importantly, it allows teachers to share study material with students and conduct online exams. It empowers IT admins to efficiently control and customize the devices, making them effective tools for learning.

Customer Bill Payment Devices

Retail stores deploy a variety of Android-based self-service payment devices such as Pin-Pads, Card encoders, scanners, and dispensers. These bill payment devices run self-service payment applications on kiosk mode as well. It helps large businesses manage and maintain these kiosks centrally, thus simplifying the overall payment process. Moreover, IT admins can tighten the device security of these devices and prevent unauthorized access by blocking USB ports or SD cards.

Conclusion

As an increasing number of businesses continue to adopt Android devices, Android kiosk mode is the de-facto way to remotely manage and control them.

If you’ve deployed a fleet of Android devices, consider enabling Android kiosk mode on them to configure them as single-purpose devices.