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FAQ

Android Tablets, Chrome in Full Screen and kiosk mode (Pinned app)

Android Tablets: Full Screen and Kiosk Mode

Turn an Android tablet into a dedicated Virtual Front Desk station 

You can run a Virtual Front Desk station on an Android tablet in Chrome. Follow these steps to open the station in full screen, lock the tablet on it (kiosk mode) and keep the screen on all day. The steps below use a Samsung tablet. Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device model and Android version.

Recommended: use a kiosk app

Neat Frame, Windows computers and iPads each offer a dependable built-in kiosk mode. Android’s built-in app pinning is not as reliable: updates, notifications and gestures can let visitors leave the station or interrupt it. For the best experience on an Android tablet, we recommend a dedicated kiosk app such as Fully Kiosk Browser. Despite its name, it is a kiosk management app: it locks an Android tablet in kiosk mode and runs only the content and apps you choose. Fully Kiosk Browser is one example among many kiosk apps available for Android. Whichever app you choose, make sure it allows access to the camera and microphone.

A kiosk app locks the tablet on your station, keeps the screen on, restarts the station automatically if needed and lets you manage the device remotely.

  1. Install your kiosk app, for example Fully Kiosk Browser from Google Play. Visit fully-kiosk.com for setup guides and licensing.
  2. In its settings, set it to open your station address, for example station.virtualfrontdesk.com, as the start page.
  3. Allow access to the camera and microphone, then turn on its kiosk mode.

Built-in option: Android app pinning

If you prefer to use Android’s built-in features, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open your station in Chrome

  1. Open Chrome on the tablet. Make sure Chrome is up to date.
  2. Go to your station address: station.virtualfrontdesk.com in the United States (or station.virtualfrontdesk.ca, .global or .asia for your region).
  3. Enter the station’s connection code from your dashboard.
  4. When Chrome asks for permission to use the camera and microphone, tap Allow.

Step 2: Add the station to the home screen (full screen)

  1. In Chrome, tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
  2. Tap Add to home screen, then Install or Create shortcut.
  3. Enter a name, such as “Front desk”, and tap Add.

Open the station from this new home screen icon. It opens in full screen, without Chrome’s address bar and menus.

Step 3: Turn on gesture navigation

Gesture navigation hides the Back, Home and Recent apps buttons at the bottom of the screen, so visitors cannot tap them.

  1. Open Settings > Display > Navigation bar (on some devices: Settings > System > Gestures > System navigation).
  2. Select Swipe gestures (or Gesture navigation).

Step 4: Turn on app pinning (kiosk mode)

  1. Open Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings (on older devices: Biometrics and security > Other security settings).
  2. Turn on Pin app (also called Pin windows or Screen pinning).
  3. Turn on Ask for PIN before unpinning.

Step 5: Pin the station

  1. Open the station from the home screen icon you created in Step 2.
  2. Open the Recent apps screen: swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold.
  3. Tap the station’s app icon at the top of its card, then tap Pin this app.

The tablet is now locked on the station. Visitors cannot leave it without your PIN.

To exit kiosk mode: swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, then enter your PIN.

Step 6: Keep the screen on

Virtual Front Desk stations are designed to stay on all day, so turn off the automatic screen timeout:

  1. Open Settings > Display > Screen timeout.
  2. Select the longest option available, or Never if your device offers it.

Keep the tablet plugged in at all times.

Tips

  • Use an enclosure stand. A stand that covers the sides of the tablet prevents visitors from using side swipe gestures. Choose a model that does not cover the camera.
  • Check the camera and microphone. If calls do not connect, make sure Chrome still has permission to use the camera and microphone. To learn more, read Troubleshooting Guide, Firewall and Permissions.

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