VisitorFlow
Hardware · iPad

Pair an iPad

VisitorFlow runs on any iPad with iPadOS 16 or later. Pairing is a one-shot, 6-digit handshake — once paired, the iPad authenticates with a long-lived device token scoped to kiosk:checkin.

1. Generate a pairing code

In the dashboard, go to Settings → Kiosks → Pair new device. Pick the location the kiosk will live at — the code expires in 10 minutes.

2. Enter the code on the iPad

Open Safari on the iPad and visit kiosk.visitorflow.com/pair. Enter the 6-digit code. The iPad will fetch its branding, languages and welcome screen.

On Enterprise plans you can install the native VisitorFlow Kiosk app from the App Store instead of using Safari. The pairing flow is identical, and you get the system camera permission prompt + tighter Guided Access integration.

3. Lock the iPad into kiosk mode

Use Apple Guided Access to keep the iPad on the VisitorFlow tab and prevent visitors from leaving the app. Two paths:

Single iPad (manual)

  1. Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access → toggle on. Set a passcode that only your reception team knows. Enable Mirror Display Auto-Lock = off so the iPad doesn't sleep while a visitor is mid-checkin.
  2. Open VisitorFlow (Safari or the native app), then triple-click the side button. Tap Options in the bottom-left corner.
  3. Disable Sleep/Wake button, Volume buttons, Touch on the home indicator, and Keyboards if you want to enforce the on-screen keyboard. Leave Time limit off.
  4. Tap Start. The iPad is now locked to VisitorFlow. To exit, triple-click the side button and enter the passcode.

Fleet of iPads (MDM)

On Enterprise plans we deploy the kiosk via Apple Configurator with a bundled mobile config — no Guided Access dance required. Email support@visitorflow.com and we'll send the .mobileconfig for your team. The profile sets:

  • Single App Mode pinned to com.visitorflow.kiosk.
  • Auto-Lock disabled, Notification Center / Control Center disabled, Volume buttons enabled (so reception can mute alerts during overnight maintenance).
  • Camera and Microphone allowed. Restricted access to the rest of the system.

4. Test the heartbeat

The kiosk pings /api/v1/kiosk/heartbeat every 2 minutes. You will see a green dot in Settings → Kiosks and the last seen time in your local timezone. The response also includes the minimum supported app version — if you ever see the iPad redirect to the S-10 outdated screen, that's why.

5. Configure the screensaver

Branding from your tenant is applied automatically — logo, accent color and welcome message. Override per location in Branding → Live preview.

Heads up: if the kiosk shows “Out of hours” even during your working hours, check the site timezone and out-of-hours window in Settings → Sites. Need to unpair? Revoke the device token from the same page. See the API reference if you want to script all of this.