Use Android apps on ChromeOS devices running as a kiosk

Android apps on kiosk devices will be deprecated in June 2021. From April 2020 onwards, we recommend that you install websites or progressive web apps (PWAs) instead. For details, see Add websites and progressive web apps to Chrome kiosks.

From April 2020 onwards:

• I’ve never configured Android apps for kiosk devices—You can no longer install or configure new Android apps for kiosk devices.
• I configured Android apps for kiosk devices before April 2020—You can continue to install and configure new and existing Android apps for kiosk devices. We will continue to support these apps until they are deprecated in June 2021.

Open all   |   Close all

Before you begin

Step 1: Set up device management

The Admin console is where you, as an administrator, manage apps and ChromeOS devices. To set up device management, you need to sign up for a Chrome Enterprise Upgrade trial. See Set up a Chrome Enterprise Upgrade trial.

Step 2: Enroll ChromeOS devices

1. If anyone, including you as an admin, already signed in to the device, you must wipe the device before enrolling it. See Wipe ChromeOS device data.
2. Enroll the devices that you want to use as kiosks in your organization. See Enroll ChromeOS devices.
3. Verify the devices are successfully enrolled. See View ChromeOS device details.

Add an app in locked-down kiosk mode

Step 1: Add kiosk application

1. Sign in to your Google Admin console.

   Sign in using your administrator account (does not end in @gmail.com).

2. In the Admin console, go to Menu  DevicesChromeApps & extensionsKiosks.
3. To apply the setting to all users and enrolled browsers, leave the top organizational unit selected. Otherwise, select a child organizational unit.
4. Click Add   Add from Google Play.
5. Search for and click the app that you want to manage.
6. Click Select.
7. Click Accept to accept the app permissions on behalf of your organization.

Step 2: (Optional) Set app to launch automatically

1. Sign in to your Google Admin console.

   Sign in using your administrator account (does not end in @gmail.com).

2. In the Admin console, go to Menu  DevicesChromeApps & extensionsKiosks.
3. ​To apply the setting to all users and enrolled browsers, leave the top organizational unit selected. Otherwise, select a child organizational unit.​
4. For Auto-launch app, choose the app that you want to automatically launch on ChromeOS devices.
5. Click Save.

Known issues

Issue	Description	Workaround
Screen Capture	Currently not supported for Android apps running in kiosk mode.	No
Android app update	Android apps don't update when your device is connected to an Ethernet network.	To update Android kiosk apps, connect the device to a Wi-Fi network.
Kiosk App info	Health monitoring doesn't include Kiosk App info (Android app name and version number).	No
Unified Desktop	Currently not supported for Android apps running in kiosk mode.	No
Screen rotation (clockwise)	Screen rotation is supported for Android apps running in kiosk mode. However, dynamic screen rotation is not supported.	No

Related topics

• About ChromeOS device management
• Monitor kiosk health