Android: How to make device run only one app?

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Single purpose devices built on top of Android can get difficult to implement. There are a few different options, but each have trade-offs.

As you mentioned, rooting devices will functionally get you what you want – however it will be time consuming with hundreds of devices to root, difficult to maintain, and you will (potentially) introduce security issues to your devices and app.

Another option is using Google’s Lock Task Mode for COSU devices[1]. The link there has a nice graphic showing the features of lock task mode:

  • 1 app pinned to the home screen
  • only apps white-listed by the DPC (device policy controller) can be locked
  • Home and Recent buttons hidden
  • exit by calling stopLockTask()

There are some downsides to using Google’s solution for this. First Google recommends creating (and therefor maintaining) an entirely separate DPC app to run as a device owner and set policies[2]. You’ll also be dependent on Google Play to manage application updates and be required to have Play accounts associated with each device which “are used to identify a single device that is not tied to a single user for simplified, per-device app distribution rules in COSU-style scenarios”[3]. To automatically get your DPC app on devices your “DPC must be publicly availble on Google Play, and the end user can install the DPC from the device setup wizard by entering the DPC-specific identifier.”[3] You’ll also need to upload the user application to Google Play[4], which may be an issue for some who don’t want their apps on Play. Going this route gives you features you need, but can be complicated and also ties you and your customer pretty tightly with Google/Play services and their workflow.

You can also look at enterprise mobile deployment platforms like Mason[5]. In your case, you can create a custom Android OS in a few minutes with your app locked in kiosk mode (+ other features like disable camera/sms, remove apps and hide settings, etc.) and then deploy it to all of your devices remotely. Mason also supports OS and app updates controlled by you if your requirements change.

DISCLAIMER: I work for Mason

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