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Installation Guide

Complete setup from basic mode to full Device Owner lockdown

Docs Home • Features • ADB Config

Tip

For production deployments or public-facing tablets, go directly to Device Owner Mode.

Table of Contents

Basic Mode (No PC Required)

Perfect for: Testing, personal use, or when you don't have a PC available.

Requirements

  • Android tablet (version 8.0+)
  • APK file from Releases
  • PIN code (4-6 digits)

Installation Steps

1. Download APK

  • Visit GitHub Releases
  • Download the latest FreeKiosk-vX.X.X.apk
  • Transfer to tablet (USB, email, or direct download)

2. Install

  • Open the APK file on your tablet
  • Allow "Install from unknown sources" if prompted
  • Complete installation

3. Configure

  • Open FreeKiosk app
  • Tap 5 times on the secret button (bottom-right corner)
  • Enter your PIN code
  • Set your target URL or app
  • Configure additional settings as needed

4. Start Kiosk Mode

  • Tap "Start Kiosk Mode"
  • Your tablet is now locked in basic kiosk mode!

Warning

Basic mode allows some system interactions (notifications, back button). For complete lockdown, use Device Owner mode below.

Device Owner Mode (Advanced)

Perfect for: Production deployments, public displays, corporate kiosks, complete lockdown.

Requirements

  • Android tablet (version 8.0+)
  • Computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
  • USB cable
  • ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge)

Step 1: Install ADB

Windows

  1. Download SDK Platform Tools (~15 MB)
  2. Extract to C:\platform-tools\
  3. Open Command Prompt in that directory

Mac

Option A: Homebrew (recommended)

brew install android-platform-tools

Option B: Manual

  1. Download SDK Platform Tools
  2. Extract and add to PATH

Linux

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install adb

Fedora:

sudo dnf install android-tools

Step 2: Prepare Tablet

1. Remove All Accounts

Device Owner requires no active user accounts. A factory reset is not required.

Remove these accounts:

  • Google accounts (Settings → Accounts → Google → Remove)
  • Samsung accounts (Settings → Accounts → Samsung → Remove)
  • Work/Microsoft 365 accounts
  • SIM card (remove or disable SIM profile)

Verify: Settings → Accounts should show "No accounts"

Important

You can sign back in after Device Owner is activated.

Note

Fallback: If the dpm command fails after removing accounts, perform a factory reset (Settings → System → Reset → Factory data reset). Do not add any account before activating Device Owner.

2. Enable USB Debugging

  1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About tablet → Tap "Build number" 7 times
  2. Enable USB Debugging: Settings → System → Developer options → Enable "USB debugging"

3. Install FreeKiosk

  1. Transfer APK to tablet
  2. Install the APK
  3. Do NOT open yet - wait for Device Owner activation

Step 3: Activate Device Owner

1. Connect Tablet to PC

  • Connect tablet to PC via USB cable
  • On tablet, check "Always allow from this computer"
  • Tap "Allow" on the USB debugging popup

2. Verify Connection

Windows:

cd C:\platform-tools
adb devices

Mac/Linux:

adb devices

Expected output:

List of devices attached
ABC123XYZ    device

Note

If you see "unauthorized", check the tablet screen for the authorization popup.

3. Set Device Owner

Run this command:

adb shell dpm set-device-owner com.freekiosk/.DeviceAdminReceiver

Expected output:

Success: Device owner set to package com.freekiosk
Active admin set to component {com.freekiosk/com.freekiosk.DeviceAdminReceiver}

Tip

Success! Your tablet is now in Device Owner mode.

4. Reboot (Optional)

adb reboot

Step 4: Configure and Launch

  1. Open FreeKiosk from the app drawer
  2. Configure URL/app and PIN in settings
  3. Tap "Start Kiosk Mode"
  4. Full lockdown is now active!

What's the Difference?

Feature Basic Mode Device Owner Mode
Kiosk Lockdown Partial Complete
System Notifications Visible Blocked
Status Bar May appear Hidden
Navigation Buttons Accessible Disabled
Home Button May work Disabled
Recent Apps Accessible Disabled
Samsung Popups Can appear Blocked
Exit Without PIN Possible Impossible
Auto-start on Boot Yes Yes
Recommended For Testing, personal Production, public

Troubleshooting

"adb: command not found" (Windows)

Cause: Not in the platform-tools directory

Solution:

cd C:\platform-tools
adb devices

"Not allowed to set the device owner"

Causes & Solutions:

Cause Solution
User accounts exist Remove ALL accounts (Google, Samsung, Microsoft)
Hidden SIM account Remove SIM card or disable SIM profile
Device-specific accounts Factory reset and try again (no accounts added)

"No devices/emulators found"

Causes & Solutions:

Cause Solution
USB not connected Check USB cable connection
USB debugging disabled Enable in Developer Options
Driver issues (Windows) Install USB drivers
Popup not accepted Check tablet for "Allow USB debugging" popup

Tablet Not Recognized (Windows)

Install manufacturer USB drivers:

"Error: Not enough permissions" (Linux)

Quick fix:

sudo adb kill-server
sudo adb start-server
adb devices

Permanent fix:

sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules

Add: SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="[vendor_id]", MODE="0666", GROUP="plugdev"

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules

Device Owner Set But Kiosk Doesn't Lock Completely

  1. Reboot the tablet
  2. Exit and restart kiosk mode
  3. Verify Device Owner is active

Removing Device Owner

Option 1: Via FreeKiosk App

  1. Tap 5 times on secret button (bottom-right)
  2. Enter your PIN code
  3. Tap "⚠️ Remove Device Owner" button
  4. Confirm the action
  5. Device Owner removed and settings reset

Warning

"Exit Kiosk Mode" only closes the app but keeps Device Owner active. Use "Remove Device Owner" to completely disable it.

Option 2: Via ADB

adb shell dpm remove-active-admin com.freekiosk/.DeviceAdminReceiver

Uninstall

If Device Owner is Active

  1. Remove Device Owner (see above)
  2. Uninstall app normally

Standard Uninstall

Settings → Apps → FreeKiosk → Uninstall

Quick FAQ

Do I need to root my tablet? No! FreeKiosk uses Android's official Device Owner API.

Can I use FreeKiosk without Device Owner? Yes! Basic mode works, but lockdown is not complete.

Does Device Owner void my warranty? No. It's an official Android feature with no system modifications.

Can I have multiple Device Owner apps? No. Android allows only ONE Device Owner per device.

Can I use my tablet normally after removing Device Owner? Yes! Just remove Device Owner and uninstall.

Does it work on Fire tablets (Amazon)? Should work, but not officially tested.

Need Help?