How to pin the Kiosk app on your tablet

When using Kiosk on a tablet, it is important to prevent access to other apps and keep the device dedicated to the attendance screen.

You can do this by pinning the app on the tablet. The steps below explain how to configure this on iPad (iPadOS) and Android tablets. 

Main actions

1. Pin the app on an iPad

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap Accessibility;
3. Select Guided Access and turn it on;
4. Tap Passcode Settings;
5. Select Set Guided Access Passcode and create a passcode;
6. Open the Kiosk app;
7. Triple-click the top button on newer iPads or the Home button on older models;
8. If the Accessibility Shortcuts menu appears, tap Guided Access;
9. Tap Start to begin the Guided Access session.

To exit Guided Access:

1. Triple-click the top or Home button again;
2. Authenticate using the Guided Access passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID, according to your configuration;
3. If necessary, select Guided Access;
4. Tap End.

Note: on newer iPad models without a Home button, Guided Access is activated using the top button. Apple also allows Face ID or Touch ID to be configured as an alternative authentication method.

2. Pin the app on an Android tablet

The names and location of these settings may vary depending on the tablet manufacturer and Android version.

On Samsung devices, for example:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap Security and privacy;
3. Select More security settings;
4. Turn on Pin App;
5. Open the Kiosk app;
6. Open Recents;
7. Tap the Kiosk app icon;
8. Select Pin this app.

Samsung also provides the option Ask for PIN before unpinning, which requires authentication before the user can leave the pinned app.

On other Android devices, the feature may appear as App pinning, usually under Settings > Security > Advanced > App pinning. If you cannot find it, check the instructions provided by your tablet manufacturer.

To unpin the app, use the button or gesture combination displayed by the device. The method may vary depending on whether the tablet uses gesture navigation or navigation buttons.

Tips and troubleshooting

• Guided Access is not starting on the iPad: confirm that Guided Access is enabled under Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and that a passcode has been configured.
• The iPad does not have a Home button: triple-click the top button to start or pause Guided Access.
• I cannot find App pinning on Android: the path and label may vary by manufacturer. Look for Pin App, App pinning, or similar options under the device's security settings.
• I cannot exit the pinned app on Android: follow the unpinning gesture indicated by your device. If authentication was enabled, you will also need the tablet's PIN, pattern, or password.
• Notifications are still appearing: app pinning does not necessarily replace notification controls. Configure the tablet's notification settings or Do Not Disturb mode if necessary.

Best practices

• Use a secure passcode that is known only to the people responsible for managing the tablet.
• Before making the tablet available to employees, test how to enter and exit the pinned mode.
• Inform the people responsible for the device how to disable app pinning when maintenance or configuration changes are required.
• After operating system updates, confirm that Guided Access or App pinning is still enabled.
• On shared tablets, configure authentication before unpinning whenever the device supports this option.

Frequently asked questions

1. What if my iPad does not have a physical Home button?

   Use the top button. Triple-click it to start or pause Guided Access. On older iPads with a Home button, use the Home button instead.

2. Does pinning the Kiosk app prevent users from accessing other apps?

   Yes. While the screen is pinned, the device remains restricted to the selected app until the pinning session is ended.

3. Are the Android labels the same on every tablet?

   No. Depending on the manufacturer and Android version, the feature may be called Pin App, App pinning, or use a similar label, and its location in Settings may vary.

4. Can I require a password to exit the pinned app?

   Yes. Guided Access supports a dedicated passcode on iPad. On supported Android devices, you can also require the device PIN, pattern, or password before unpinning.