Description
Single App Mode allows you to configure a device for a specific purpose. Using Single App Mode lets you lock any supervised iPad, iPhone, or Apple TV to one app to focus the device for a single need. There is not a Single App Mode payload available for macOS in Jamf School.
Requirements:
Supervised iPad or iPhone with iOS 9 or later, or supervised Apple TV with tvOS 9 or later. For more information on supervised devices, see Supervision in Jamf School.
Apps are managed by Jamf School, as well as unmanaged built-in system apps, such as Books, Music, and Safari. Single App Mode cannot be applied to user-installed apps.
Single App Mode Alters App's Notification Tone
When Single App Mode is enabled, certain processes within the app may default to the system settings rather than the app-specific settings. This can result in app notifications reverting to the basic Apple ringtone instead of the custom tone set within the app.
Enabling Single App Mode
A. Enabling Single App Mode for iOS devices
In Jamf School, go to Profiles > Overview (or Profiles > Configuration Profiles) and click Create Profile.
Select iOS and Device Enrollment and then click Next.
Name the profile and click Next. Click Finish.
In the created profile, select the Single App Mode payload and click Configure.
Enable Lock device to a specific app.
Select the app that needs to be locked using the dropdown menu options.
Optional - Configure enforced options and user configurable options.
Click Scope and use the + button to add desired device groups.
Click Save.
For more information on device profile creation, view Device Profiles.
B. Enabling Single App Mode for tvOS devices
In Jamf School, go to Profiles > Overview (or Profiles > Configuration Profiles) and click Create Profile.
Select tvOS and Device Enrollment and then click Next.
Name the profile and click Next. Click Finish.
In the created profile, select the Single App Mode payload and click Configure.
Enable Lock device to a specific app.
Select the app that needs to be locked using the dropdown menu options.
Optional - Configure enforced options and user configurable options.
Click Scope and use the + button to add desired device groups.
Click Save.
For more information on Apple TV profiles creation, view Apple TV profiles.
Disabling Single App Mode
A. Disabling Single App Mode on a device in Jamf School
Go to Jamf School > Devices > Inventory.
Select the device where Single App Mode needs to be disabled.
In the Managed Profiles section, locate the profile that is enabling Single App Mode.
Disable or remove this profile to exit Single App Mode.
B. Troubleshooting Tips
Devices must have a network connection in order to receive management commands from Jamf School. If an iPhone or iPad in Single App Mode loses Wi-Fi connection it can become "stuck" in Single App Mode since it cannot receive the command from Jamf School to remove the Single App Mode profile.
In order to leave Single App Mode, follow these steps to restore network connectivity.
Attempt to Connect to a Known Wi-Fi Network.
Confirm the device is within range of a previously connected Wi-Fi network. If the device was connected to a known network previously, it may automatically reconnect.
Use an Ethernet Connection.
Connect the device to a network via Ethernet using a USB-C or Lightning Ethernet adapter. This option provides a stable connection that can allow the device to receive the command to exit Single App Mode.
Restart the Device in Recovery Mode.
Put the device into Recovery Mode (following Section 2 here) and choose the Restart option in Apple Configurator (ensure the device is connected to a network during this process).
If none of the options above work and the device still won't connect to a network, the device needs to be erased in order re-enroll and communicate with Jamf School again.
iOS and tvOS Configuration Options
Please note the different enforced options and user configurable options between iOS and tvOS. For more information on these settings and its expected results view App Lock MDM payload settings for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Single App Mode Alters App's Notification Tone
When Single App Mode is enabled, certain processes within the app may default to the system settings rather than the app-specific settings. This can result in app notifications reverting to the basic Apple ringtone instead of the custom tone set within the app.