jasscott
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Why can I break out of Single App mode?

I'm setting up some iPads in Single App mode (iOS 7) through Apple Configurator. I've locked it down to Safari, and this works fine. However we've found that holding Sleep + Home for 15 seconds, restarts the iPad and breaks out of single app mode - when it's booted back up you can access everything.

 

Surely this is a bug or flaw?

iPad

Posted on Sep 25, 2013 6:25 AM

by cdenesha,Solvedanswer
cdenesha cdenesha
Level 1 (10 points)
A:

Single app mode, either through MDM or Configurator, can only be set for Supervised devices.

 

I experienced your issue today. I was testing with an iPad that had a passcode. When I reset the iPad, it came to the lock screen, and when the passcode was typed in I was broken out of the app. The policy was still in place but it was not being enforced. Can you verify if this is your issue as well? Is it still broken for you if there is no passcode?

 

I'll be calling Apple Support tomorrow.

 

chris

Posted on Mar 5, 2014 7:25 PM

Close
jasscott

Q: Why can I break out of Single App mode?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Previous Page 2

  • by cdenesha,

    cdenesha cdenesha Mar 6, 2014 9:26 AM in response to Simon Slavin
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mar 6, 2014 9:26 AM in response to Simon Slavin

    Simon Slavin wrote:

     

    I understand what you're saying, I was just explaining why it works the way it does.

     

    It would appear that to do this properly Apple needs two passcodes: one for an admin user and one for any random user.  Unfortunately iOS 7 doesn't have a user model.  It's designed on the assumption that one iDevice has one user.  Which is fine for many users but not the sort of people who post to a forum called 'iPad in Business and Education'.

     

    So I tested Guided Access this morning as I was curious how it worked with the passcode. It works the same way - if the iPad has no passcode you are connected right back to it on restart, and if it does you are broken out. This substantiates what I read/learned that Single App mode is a subset of the Guided Access framework. To get back into the proper mode you have to turn the passcode off and restart the iPad.

     

    I think this is ridiculous. With Guided Access at least we do have an admin passcode of sorts - the passcode you have to set just to get into it. Single App mode has to be initiated by Configurator or an MDM - which means you are in a Business or Education setting. The login passcode shouldn't override in my opinion. I called Apple Education Support and they are checking to see if there is a workaround. I'm also going to submit a feature request that this behavior be changed.

     

    chris

Previous Page 2