Configuring kiosk mode for Android devices

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Kiosk mode is a Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Android feature that lets you limit the set of apps available to a device user, whether a single app or multiple apps. You can also efficiently manage some device settings.

The kiosk mode settings apply to devices managed via Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Android in device owner mode.

Kiosk mode does not affect the work of the Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Android app. It runs in the background, shows notifications, and can be updated.

Kiosk mode types

The following kiosk mode types are available in Kaspersky Endpoint Security:

• Single-app mode

  Kiosk mode with only a single app. In this mode, a device user can open only one app that is allowed on the device and specified in the kiosk mode settings. If the app that you want to add to kiosk mode is not installed on the device, kiosk mode activates after the app is installed.

  On devices with Android 9 or later, the app launches directly in kiosk mode.

  On devices with Android 8.0 or earlier, the specified app must support kiosk mode functionality and call the startLockTask() method itself to launch the app.

• Multi-app mode

  Kiosk mode with multiple apps. In this mode, a device user can open only the set of apps that are allowed on the device and specified in the kiosk mode settings.

Presettings

Pre-configuration for kiosk mode includes the following:

• Before specifying apps that are allowed to be run on the device in kiosk mode, you need first to add these apps in App Control > List of categories and apps and mark them as required. Then, they will appear in the App package list of the kiosk mode.
• Before activating kiosk mode, we recommend that you prohibit launching of Google Assistant by enabling the corresponding restriction in Policy > Device owner mode > Feature restrictions > Apps > Prohibit use of Google Assistant. Otherwise, Google Assistant launches in kiosk mode and allows non-trusted apps to be opened.

Open the kiosk mode settings

To open the kiosk mode settings:

1. In the console tree, in the Managed devices folder, select the administration group to which the Android devices belong.
2. In the workspace of the group, select the Policies tab.
3. Open the policy properties window by double-clicking any column.

   Complete the following steps within 15 minutes. Otherwise, you may face an error when saving changes to the policy.

4. In the policy Properties window, select the Device owner mode → Kiosk mode section.

Configure single-app mode

To configure single-app mode:

1. In the Kiosk mode drop-down list, select Single-app mode.
2. In the App package drop-down list, select an app package with the app that is allowed to be run on the device.
3. Specify any required restrictions. For available restrictions, see the "Kiosk mode restrictions" section below.
4. Select the Allow navigation to additional apps check box if you want to add other apps that a device user can navigate to. For more details, see the Add additional apps section below.
5. Click the Apply button to save the changes you have made.

Configure multi-app mode

To configure multi-app mode:

1. In the Kiosk mode drop-down list, select Multi-app mode.
2. Click Add, select apps that are allowed to be run on the device, and then click OK.
3. Specify any required restrictions. For available restrictions, see the "Kiosk mode restrictions" section below.
4. Select the Allow navigation to additional apps check box if you want to add other apps that a device user can navigate to. For more details, see the Add additional apps section below.
5. Click the Apply button to save the changes you have made.

Kiosk mode restrictions

You can set the following restrictions in kiosk mode:

• Prohibit status bar (Android 9 or later)

  Selecting or clearing this check box specifies whether the status bar is blank with notifications and indicators such as connectivity, battery, and sound and vibrate options. This restriction is supported on devices with Android 9 or later.

  The check box is selected by default.

• Prohibit Overview button (Android 9 or later)

  Selecting or clearing this check box specifies whether the Overview button is hidden. This restriction is supported on devices with Android 9 or later.

  The check box is selected by default.

• Prohibit Home button (Android 9 or later)

  Selecting or clearing this check box specifies whether the Home button is hidden. This restriction is supported on devices with Android 9 or later.

  The check box is selected by default.

• Prohibit displaying system notifications (Android 9 or later)

  Selecting or clearing this check box specifies whether system notifications are hidden. This restriction is supported on devices with Android 9 or later.

  The check box is selected by default.

Add additional apps

Besides locking the device to a single app or set of apps, you can also specify additional apps, that the main app can use. These additional apps provide full functionality of the apps added to kiosk mode. A device user cannot launch additional apps manually.

To add additional apps in the Kiosk mode section:

1. Select the Allow navigation to additional apps check box.
2. Click Add, specify the desired app package name, and then click OK. How to get the package name of an app

   To get the package name of an app:

   1. Open Google Play.
   2. Find the required app and open its page.

   The app's URL ends with its package name (for example, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome).

   To get the package name of an app that has been added to Kaspersky Security Center:

   1. In the console tree of Kaspersky Security Center go to Advanced > Remote installation > Installation packages.
   2. Click the Additional actions button and select Manage mobile apps packages in the drop-down list.

   In the Mobile apps package management window that opens, identifiers of managed apps are displayed in the Application name column.

   If you have an app package as an .apk or .ipa file and want to know the app identifier, you can add the app package to the Mobile apps package management window by clicking the New button and following the on-screen instructions.

3. Click the Apply button to save the changes you have made.

See also: Configuring kiosk mode for iOS MDM devices

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