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Set up an iPad as a check-in kiosk

Turn an iPad into an in-office check-in kiosk using Guided Access or Single App Mode.

Overview

An iPad in your waiting room gives patients a place to complete digital check-in when they arrive, if they didn't finish it before their visit. Patients fill out the same forms they'd see at home, and your front desk spends less time on clipboards and data entry.

To keep the iPad on your check-in page, use one of two built-in Apple features:

  • Guided Access works on any iPad and takes a few minutes to set up. It's the right choice for most practices.
  • Single App Mode locks the iPad more tightly, but it requires Apple Configurator or a mobile device management (MDM) tool. Choose it if your IT team already manages your iPads with one of these.

Either way, check-in runs in the iPad's web browser, so there's no app to install.

 

How to set up Guided Access

Guided Access keeps the iPad in one app and turns off the buttons that would let a patient leave it.

  1. On the iPad, open Settings, tap Accessibility, then tap Guided Access.
  2. Turn on Guided Access.
  3. Tap Passcode Settings, then Set Guided Access Passcode, and enter a passcode only your staff knows.
  4. Tap Display Auto-Lock and choose Never so the screen stays on between patients.
  5. Open your web browser (Safari or Chrome) and go to your practice's NextPatient check-in page.
  6. Triple-click the Home button. On an iPad without a Home button, triple-click the top button.
  7. Tap Options, then turn off Sleep/Wake Button.
  8. Tap Done, then tap Start.

Note: To exit Guided Access, triple-click the same button, enter your passcode, and tap End.

Tip: Not sure which link to use for your check-in page? Your account manager can send it to you.

For more detail, see Apple's guide to using Guided Access.

 

How to set up Single App Mode

Single App Mode is set up by whoever manages your iPads through Apple Configurator or MDM, usually your IT team.

  1. Send your iPad administrator your practice's NextPatient check-in link.
  2. Ask them to configure the iPad with these settings:
    • Single App Mode turned on for your web browser (we recommend Chrome)
    • The browser set to open your check-in link by default
    • Sleep/Wake Button disabled
    • Auto-Lock disabled
  3. Once it's configured, open the iPad and confirm it goes straight to your check-in page.

Note: Only your administrator can turn Single App Mode off, so reach out to them if you need to use the iPad for something else.

 

Optional: Allow only approved websites

For an extra layer of control, you can block every website except the ones you choose. This keeps patients on check-in even if they tap a link that leads elsewhere.

  1. Open Settings and tap Screen Time. Turn it on if it isn't already.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
  3. Find Web Content and choose Only Approved Websites. Where this sits depends on your iPadOS version.
  4. Add https://www.nextpatient.co/ to the approved list, along with your practice's website if you want patients to reach it.

Note: If nextpatient.co isn't on the approved list, your check-in page won't load.

For step-by-step help, see Apple's guide to content and privacy restrictions.

 

FAQs

Do we need to download an app for the kiosk?

No. NextPatient check-in runs in the iPad's web browser, so you only need Safari or Chrome.

Which option should we use, Guided Access or Single App Mode?

Most practices use Guided Access. It's built into every iPad and your staff can set it up in a few minutes. Single App Mode is a good fit if your IT team already manages your iPads with Apple Configurator or MDM.

How do we get out of kiosk mode to use the iPad for something else?

With Guided Access, triple-click the Home or top button and enter your Guided Access passcode. With Single App Mode, your iPad administrator turns it off.

Why does the iPad screen keep turning off?

Auto-Lock is still on. With Guided Access, set Display Auto-Lock to Never in the Guided Access settings. With Single App Mode, ask your administrator to disable Auto-Lock.

 

Best practices

  • Keep the iPad plugged in. A stand with a built-in charging cable keeps the kiosk ready all day.
  • Use a passcode only staff know. Make your Guided Access passcode different from the iPad's unlock passcode.
  • Test a full check-in yourself. After setup, walk through check-in as a patient to confirm every page loads.
  • Place it where your front desk can see it. Staff can help patients who get stuck and keep an eye on the device.