iPad kiosk
Which iPad to use, how to set it up, stands and enclosures, power, and locking it to Agoo with Guided Access or an MDM.
Agoo is in early access. This page describes the feature as it ships to early-access organisations; screens are illustrative.
The Agoo Kiosk app for iPad and iPhone ships in P5. An iPad makes a polished front desk: a good front camera for photos and ID scans, a bright screen, and a lock-down mode built in.
Which iPad
| Requirement | Recommendation | |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 26 or later | Keep it on the latest version |
| Model | Any iPad that runs iPadOS 26 | A standard iPad or iPad Air, around 11 inches. Larger screens don't make check-in faster. |
| Storage | Any | The smallest storage option is plenty |
| Connection | Wi-Fi | A Wi-Fi + Cellular model with a data SIM gives a backup connection when the office Wi-Fi drops |
| Camera | Front camera | Needed for visitor photos and scanning passes and IDs |
To check the iPadOS version, open Settings → General → About. An iPhone works well for guard mode at a gate.
Set up the iPad
Do this before you pair it.
- Use a dedicated Apple Account for your organisation's kiosks, not someone's personal one.
- Turn on automatic app updates in Settings → App Store, so Agoo Kiosk stays current.
- Turn off notifications from other apps in Settings → Notifications, so nothing pops up over the check-in screens.
- Turn on Find My in Settings → (your name) → Find My, in case the iPad goes missing.
- Set brightness high enough for your lobby. Turn off True Tone and Night Shift if your brand colours look wrong.
- Install Agoo Kiosk from the App Store and allow camera access.
Lock it to Agoo
Guided Access keeps the iPad on Agoo Kiosk until someone with the passcode ends it. Set its Display Auto-Lock to Never so the screen stays on. The steps are in Pair a kiosk.
If you manage your iPads with Apple Business Manager and an MDM service, use Autonomous Single App Mode or Single App Mode instead. The iPad stays locked to Agoo Kiosk even after a restart, with no triple-click needed. Kiosk Pro kits arrive already locked to Agoo.
Stands and enclosures
- Desk stand for a reception counter: choose one that locks the iPad in, tilts towards the visitor, and leaves the front camera uncovered.
- Floor stand or enclosure for a lobby without a counter, or a public-facing entrance: it hides the buttons and ports, and puts the screen at a comfortable height for someone standing. The Kiosk Pro kit includes one.
- Height and angle: the visitor should see their face in the camera frame without bending. Test it with your shortest and tallest colleagues.
- Light: avoid placing the screen facing a window. Glare makes the screen hard to read and backlit faces make poor photos.
- Security: a stand bolted to the counter, or a security cable, stops the iPad walking off.
Power
- Keep the iPad charging all the time, with an Apple or good-quality USB-C charger and a cable long enough to reach without strain.
- Put the charger on a UPS or inverter if you have one, along with your router.
- Check battery levels in Console → Devices after a power cut. A full iPad runs Agoo for several hours on battery, enough to cover most outages.