Kiosk apps on ChromeOS
Kiosk mode is a specialized way of running ChromeOS that focuses on just one application at a time. Set by an administrator, kiosk applications are locked in full screen and run without user login to the device. This differs from the traditional user session or managed guest session modes which allows the user or guest to access multiple apps and the browser.
Kiosk mode can be used for:
- Standardized testing applications deployed in schools
- Digital signage for businesses and enterprises
- Self-service kiosks for retail and hospitality
Kiosk mode provides a locked down, secure environment, admin-controlled user experience.
Enable kiosk mode
To enable kiosk mode, you will need a management license which gives you the tools to set up and manage your own fleet of kiosk devices. A managed device lets you set security controls and remote management capabilities that can control device policies, deploy apps, control OS updates, capture screenshots and monitor device status, all via the cloud-based Google Admin console.
Kiosk application and capabilities
ChromeOS kiosk mode supports web apps, and building a Progressive Web App is a great way to provide a stellar kiosk experience for your users:
- Store offline content, like videos, with service workers and data storage APIs like Cache API and IndexedDB.
- Persist application state even without an internet connection by using the Workbox library to implement service worker routing and caching.
- Unlock even more features in your kiosk app with Project Fugu, the Chromium Web Capabilities project.
You can also build a companion extension that pairs with your PWA in kiosk mode. Doing so lets you take advantage of Chrome APIs (such as chrome.runtime) and advanced capabilities, like configuring display settings, controlling connected audio, and rebooting devices, that kiosk and enterprise extensions can be enabled to do.
Kiosk on ChromeOS gives you a secure and reliable platform to deliver a single-app focused experience to your customers, whether they need to display static informational pages or create interactive experiences. With built-in tooling to manage and deploy kiosk devices, ChromeOS kiosk lets you get started with developing today and prioritize building great features for your users.
Topics in this section
Managing Video Storage on the Web
Video is a tough asset to manage; streaming takes a lot of bandwidth and caching is not straightforward. Learn how to improve both with the Cache storage API, service workers, and Workbox.
Connecting an Extension from a Kiosk PWA
Understand how to bridge the gap between Chrome Extensions and PWAs.
Testing Kiosk Apps
Understand how to test your ChromeOS kiosk apps.
Kiosk accessibility
Best practices, settings, and features for accessibility on kiosk apps.