Preparing a tablet for use as a kiosk relates to editing the tablet settings to improve overall functionality and device longevity. Many default settings and apps compete for WiFi access and drain battery power, and this can be detrimental to user experience and the life of the device. 


Use the steps below to disable certain apps and settings, preparing a v4 iPad for long term success as a kiosk. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS





Device Settings


Power the device on and the “Hello” screen will appear.

  1. Press the Home button to open to start set-up.
  2. Slide to set up and Select a Language > select English.
  3. Select Your Country or Region > select United States.
  4. Choose a Wi-Fi Network and log into the Wi-Fi.
  5. On Location Services screen > select Disable Location Services > select OK.
  6. For Create a Passcode > select Passcode Options > then select Don’t Add Passcode > then select Continue.
  7. On the next screen, Apps & Data > select Set Up as New iPad.
  8. Enter Apple ID & Password: 
    • Note: If you do not have one, you’ll need to create one in order to operate the tablet and download Kiosk Mode for iPad from the App Store.
  9. On Terms and Conditions > select Agree.
  10. On SIRI screen > select Don't Use Siri
  11. On Diagnostics screen > select Don’t Send.
  12. “Welcome to iPad” message will display > select Get Started.


Configure the Settings


1. Click into the Settings App and on the General tab click:

  1. On the Spotlight Search tab > Turn Off all apps (individually).
  2. Go back to the General tab and on the Background App Refresh > select Background App Refresh to turn it off.


2. Once that is done, go into the Bluetooth tab > turn Bluetooth off.

  1. Bluetooth > Bluetooth Off


3. Next, go into the Notifications tab and go in one by one into the App Store, Calendar, FaceTime, Game Center, Mail, Maps, Messages, Photos, Reminders and Tips > in each one, select Allow Notifications and turn it OFF.

  1. Notifications > App Store > Allow Notifications OFF
  2. Notifications > Calendar > Allow Notifications OFF
  3. Notifications > FaceTime > Allow Notifications OFF
  4. Notifications > Game Center > Allow Notifications OFF
  5. Notifications > Mail > Allow Notifications OFF
  6. Notifications > Messages > Allow Notifications OFF
  7. Notifications > Photos > Allow Notifications OFF
  8. Notifications > Reminders > Allow Notifications OFF
  9. Notifications > Tips > Allow Notifications OFF


4. After Notifications are all off, go into the Do Not Disturb tab > select Repeated Calls to turn it off.


5. Once that is off, go into the iCloud tab > turn off every option in the tab except Find My iPad.

  1. iCloud > Photos> iCloud Photo Library OFF
  2. iCloud > Photos > iCloud Photo Sharing OFF > OK
  3. ICloud > Mail OFF
  4. iCloud > Contacts OFF > Delete from My iPad
  5. iCloud > Calendars OFF
  6. iCloud > Reminders OFF
  7. iCloud > Notes OFF> Delete
  8. iCloud > Safari OFF> Delete from My iPad
  9. iCloud > News OFF
  10. iCloud > Home OFF
  11. iCloud > Game Center > OFF
  12. iCloud > Find My iPad > OFF > Enter iCloud Password & Turn off
  13. iCloud > Backup > iCloud Backup OFF > OK


6. After, go into the Mail, Contacts, Calendars tabs and turn off every option.

  1. Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Load Remote Images OFF
  2. Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Organize By Thread OFF
  3. Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Contacts Found in Apps OFF
  4. Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Show Invitee Declines OFF

7. Go into the Messages and the FaceTime tab and turn the options off.

  1. Messages > iSend & Receive > Apple ID: yourAppleID@icloud.com > Sign Out
  2. FaceTime > yourAppleID@icloud.com > Sign Out

8. Next, go into the Safari tab and turn off every option. (You will still be able to use Safari to get on the internet)

  1. Safari > Search Engine Suggestions OFF
  2. Safari > Safari Suggestions OFF
  3. Safari > Preload Top Hit OFF
  4. Safari > Frequently Visited Sites OFF
  5. Safari > Open News Tabs in Background OFF
  6. Safari > Show Tab Bar OFF


9. After, go into the News, Music, and Videos tab and turn all options off.

  1. News > Show Story Previews OFF
  2. Music > Show Apple Music OFF
  3. Music > Apple ID: yourAppleID@icloud.com > Sign Out


10 . Then, go into Photos & Cameras, iBooks, Podcasts, Game Center and turn off every feature.

  1. Photos & Cameras > Summarize Photos OFF
  2. iBooks > Full Justification OFF
  3. iBooks > Auto-hyphenation OFF
  4. iBooks > Sync Bookmarks and Notes OFF
  5. iBooks > Sync Collections OFF
  6. iBooks > Online Content OFF
  7. Podcasts > Sync Podcasts OFF
  8. Podcasts > Only Download on Wi-Fi OFF
  9. Podcasts > Deleted Played Episodes OFF
  10. Podcasts > Custom Colors OFF



Configure Kiosk Mode for iPad


Sign-in to iCloud on the iPad, open the Apple Store and download Kiosk Mode for iPad.



After downloading and opening the app:


1. Go to the Homepage section


2. Enter the URL for your kiosk (ex: https://kioskname.mkiosk.info)



 

3. Click the "Save" button below to launch your digital kiosk


 



Note: The Kiosk Mode for iPad doesn't have any settings preventing access to the Home Page of the tablet by clicking the Home button. To prevent this and disallow access to the Home Page, enable Guided Access. 



To Change the Kiosk MODE URL:


1. Click the iPad's Settings icon 


 


2. Scroll to the bottom of the page


 


3. Click the Kiosk Browser icon and change the Web Address as needed


 



Organize Home Screen icons

  1. Click and hold an app until they all begin to shake.
  2. Click the “X” to remove and uninstall every app that has one except Kiosk Mode for iPad.
  3. Then, drag one app on top of another app to create a folder. 
  4. Drag the remaining apps one by one into that folder except for Kiosk Mode for iPad and Settings.
  5. Drag Kiosk Mode for iPad, Settings, and the app folder onto the dock bar at the bottom of the screen.
  6. Press the Home Button to secure the new app placements.



Enable Guided Access


Follow the instructions below to protect the kiosk URL with a pin and prevent access to the tablet's Home Page.



After configuring Kiosk Mode for iPad:



1. Click the Home Button > Go to iPad Settings > General Tab


 


2. Click Accessibility > Guided Access


 


3. Turn Guided Access ON


4. Click Passcode Settings


 


5. Click Guided Access Passcode and set the passcode > Guided Access is now ready to Activate Kiosk Mode for iPad.


 


Note: on iPad Air or iPads running iOS12+, there's another option called Mirror Display Auto-Lock that you would have to toggle ON.


 


6. Click the Home button > Click the Kiosk Mode for iPad icon and make sure that the kiosk is displaying


7. Press the Home button three (3) times, and the Guided Access Options should display


8. Click the Hardware or Options buttons and choose which options to allow


 


11. Click Start to lock Kiosk Mode for iPad in Guided Access mode.



Sign Out of iCloud 


This step is advised to prevent people with access to the iPad settings from downloading from the Apple Store and seeing other connected devices. 

  1. Go into the iCloud Profile tab.
  2. Verify all the iCloud settings are off.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the iCloud section, there should be a “Sign Out” button.
  4. Click “Sign Out”
  5. A confirmation window will appear, confirm by clicking “Sign Out” 
  6. Then, go into the iTunes & App Store tab.
  7. If still signed in, Click “Apple ID: username@icloud.com”
  8. A pop-up will appear, click “Sign Out.”




CONGRATS! The device is now ready for kiosk use.