Setting up a Smart Core Connect kiosk on an iPad

This guide walks through the steps required to configure an iPad as a Smart Core Connect kiosk. Follow each section in order. The whole process takes around 15–20 minutes per device.

MDM enrolment is coming soon. Smart Core Connect does not currently support managing kiosks through a Mobile Device Management platform. Until that lands, all kiosks are configured manually using the steps below.

1. Before you start

Make sure you have the following ready:

• An iPad running the latest version of iPadOS — any iPad model compatible with the current iPadOS release is supported. See Apple's official compatibility list: iPad models compatible with iPadOS 26. Update the iPad to the latest iPadOS version before continuing.
• A power source and mount/stand for the final installation location
• WiFi credentials for the site's network
• The kiosk activation code — generated by an administrator in the Smart Core Connect admin interface for the specific kiosk you are setting up
• Network access to Smart Core Connect — outbound HTTPS (TCP port 443) to '*.smartcore.io'. The kiosk maintains a persistent WebSocket connection for live configuration updates; this runs over the same TLS tunnel on port 443, so no additional ports need opening. If the site network uses deep-packet inspection or blocks WebSocket upgrades, this must be allowed. Some widgets (maps, weather, transport) may also load images or map tiles from third-party CDNs — if running on a tightly restricted network, contact Vanti support before installation.

2. Out-of-box Apple setup

If the iPad is brand new or has been reset, work through Apple's first-time setup flow.

1. Power the iPad on and follow the on-screen prompts.
2. Select the language and region.
3. Connect to the site's WiFi network.
4. Skip Apple ID sign-in, Face ID / Touch ID, and Siri unless your organisation's policy requires otherwise — a kiosk does not need any of these.
5. Skip App Analytics and other optional setup steps.
6. Finish setup to reach the iPad Home Screen.

Apple's official guide: Turn on and set up iPad

3. Configure iPadOS for kiosk use

Open the Settings app and apply the following changes.

Display and orientation

• Display & Brightness — set the brightness appropriate for the installation location.
• Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock — leave at the system default. Auto-Lock is overridden by Guided Access in the next step.
• Rotate the iPad to the orientation it will be mounted in and confirm the screen rotates as expected. Use Control Centre → Rotation Lock to lock that orientation if needed.

Notifications, Siri, and updates

• Notifications — disable notifications for all apps so they don't appear over the kiosk view.
• Siri & Search — disable "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" and "Allow Siri When Locked".
• General → Software Update → Automatic Updates — Smart Core Connect does not mandate a specific update policy. Choose the cadence that suits the site:
• • Automatically Install keeps the iPad current with no manual effort. Updates install overnight when the iPad is on WiFi and charging — there is no setting in iPadOS to schedule a specific window.
  • Automatically Download downloads updates but waits for someone to approve the install. Use this for kiosks where any downtime would be disruptive, and install manually during a scheduled maintenance window.
  • Off suits estates with a defined update process — updates only happen when an installer visits the device.

Enable Guided Access

Guided Access locks the iPad into a single app and prevents users from exiting or interacting with other parts of iPadOS.

1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access.
2. Toggle Guided Access on.
3. Tap Passcode Settings → Set Guided Access Passcode and set a passcode. Record this passcode securely — it will be needed to exit kiosk mode for maintenance. See section 7 for how to record it.
4. Open Display Auto-Lock (inside the Guided Access settings) and set it to Never. This setting only applies while a Guided Access session is active and prevents the kiosk screen from turning off.

Apple's official guide for enabling, starting, and ending Guided Access: Use Guided Access on iPhone or iPad

4. Install the Smart Core Connect kiosk app

There are two ways to run the kiosk on the iPad:

• Progressive Web App (PWA) — available now. Installed from Safari by adding the kiosk URL to the Home Screen.
• Dedicated iOS app — coming soon, will be available via the App Store.

Use the PWA for now.

1. Open Safari.
2. Navigate to https://app.smartcore.io.
3. Tap the Share button in the Safari toolbar.
4. Tap Add to Home Screen.
5. Confirm the name and tap Add. The kiosk PWA icon appears on the Home Screen.
6. Close Safari and launch the kiosk app from its Home Screen icon.
7. When prompted, enter the activation code provided by the administrator.
8. The kiosk should now display its configured content.

Apple's official guide for installing a PWA: Turn a website into an app in Safari on iPad

5. Lock the iPad into kiosk mode

With the kiosk app running and showing the correct content, start a Guided Access session.

1. Triple-click the top button (or the Home button on iPads that have one) to bring up Guided Access.
2. Tap Options in the bottom-left of the screen.
3. Configure the session options exactly as follows:

Any other options that appear on your version of iPadOS should be left disabled unless listed above.

4. Tap Done to close the options panel.
5. Tap Start in the top-right corner.

The iPad is now locked into the kiosk app. The Home button, top button, and swipe gestures will no longer exit the app.

Apple's official guide for starting and ending a Guided Access session: Use Guided Access on iPhone or iPad

6. Verify the kiosk

Before leaving the site, confirm the kiosk is working correctly.

• Restart test — hold the top button and either volume button, power the iPad off, then power it back on. Confirm that the kiosk app can be relaunched and Guided Access re-engaged. (Guided Access does not automatically resume after a reboot — this is expected; the installer or a return visit will need to re-engage it.)
• Gesture test — try swiping from the edges of the screen, pressing the Home/top button, and pressing the volume buttons. None should exit the kiosk app or open any iPadOS UI.
• Content test — ask the administrator to make a small content change in the Smart Core Connect admin interface and confirm it appears on the kiosk within a few seconds.
• Orientation test — confirm the kiosk is displaying in the correct orientation for the mount.

7. Handover

Record the following information against the kiosk in your install records:

• The iPad's serial number
• The Smart Core Connect kiosk name this device is activated against
• The Guided Access passcode set in section 3
• Date of installation and installer name

To exit kiosk mode for future maintenance: triple-click the top button (or Home button) and enter the Guided Access passcode. Make any changes needed, then re-start Guided Access following section 5.

For content changes (adding announcements, updating layouts, etc.), administrators can edit the kiosk remotely from the Smart Core Connect admin interface — there is no need to visit the device.

For technical issues, contact Vanti support through the chat widget in this help centre.

Updated on: 29/05/2026