App Requested Single App Mode

Nick_Gooch
Contributor III

We will be taking some state tests on our iPads with Pearson's TestNav app. It has been suggested that the iPads are locked into single app mode by "App requested single app mode". Once the app is launched it locks it into single app mode then when the user selects I'm finished and exit it will allow it to be released. The state says that this must be done with your MDM. I can't find any info on this except from the state. Does anyone know of anyone that is doing this?

I know we can use Casper Focus or many other ways to manually do this but to allow it to happen automatically when the app is launched would make life much easier for me.

http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/devicereadiness is one spot they mention it.

From that site:
Managing iPads for Secure Testing

There are several options for districts to manage multiple iPads for secure testing.

Manually configure iPads for single app mode via Guided Access (iOS 6 and above).
Enable/Disable single app mode with Apple Configurator via USB (iOS 6 and above).
Enable/Disable single app mode wirelessly via Apple Profile Manager or third party Mobile Device Manager (MDM) (iOS 6 and above).
Enable/Disable app requested single app mode via third party MDM (iOS 7 and above).

7 REPLIES 7

cdenesha
Valued Contributor II

Interesting. I was planning on using the third option.

I found this: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1682
And imore.com did a write-up (http://www.imore.com/ios-7-what-it-means-enterprise-education-and-government), based probably on WWDC data, that includes this paragraph:

"iOS 7 brings more control to how this app behaves and more importantly, allows an app to request Single-App Mode, and then later request to exit that mode. Through an MDM setting, you can decide which apps can request Single App Mode."

I have no idea if Casper supports this yet.

chris

Nick_Gooch
Contributor III

We will use the third option as well, unless this is supported in time for testing. Since I won't have to create groups or classes or select individual devices that will be testing at what time and when they are done etc. this takes all of that headache out of it.

Our rep says that as far as he knows it is not supported yet and doesn't know when it will be.

cdenesha
Valued Contributor II

I was able to put iPads in single app mode with the test browser with a Configuration profile. But I'm not sure how you plan on relieving all of the 'headache' - the devices will still need to be put into a smart / static group and the profile scoped on and off manually on test day.

Also see this thread. https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=9416

Nick_Gooch
Contributor III

I can put apps in single app mode now as well that's not the issue.

The App Requested Single App Mode will relieve the headache by making it so the app itself requests to go into single app mode and when finished release single app mode. I don't have to make a group with certain devices and manually say they need to go into single app mode at this time and release at this time, the app does it for me.

According to Apple with iOS 7 Authorized apps can initiate single app mode. So to me that means the app will do the work so I don't have to. How it works I'm not sure. I'm just hoping that this feature is available by testing time to save me a lot of work.

cdenesha
Valued Contributor II

I did not see a feature request for this, so I created one: https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/featureRequest.html?id=1965.

Also, I discovered that any type of Single Access mode or Guided Access can be broken out of if the student 1) has a passcode, and 2) restarts their iPad by holding Home and Power for 15 seconds. For more info, please see my comment here: https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=9416 and also https://discussions.apple.com/message/23155731#23155731.

chris

cdenesha
Valued Contributor II

Wow, that was fast. Implemented in 9.3. https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/featureRequest.html?id=1965

Maybe you can get it working before your testing window. Using a profile to push Single App mode did not work well for me last week. (https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=10157)

tdilossi
Contributor

Is there a way to configure an app to automatically go into single app mode, and not allow you to say no to the pop up option? Right now, a pop up offers the option "Confirm App Self-Lock DRC wants to start Single App Mode. You'll be unable to use other apps on iPad until DRC Insight ends single app mode. Do you want to allow this? yes/no" Once a child selects no, you'll never get the option again, and the test can not be completed unless they select yes, so were in a tough spot... I'd like to force the app to select yes without intervention from the students... Any thoughts?