Turn an Android tablet into a dedicated LibreAAC device

LibreAAC can run as an ordinary Android application. For everyday communication use, however, it may be preferable to configure the tablet as a dedicated communication device.

This is the basic FreeKiosk setup. It reduces accidental exits but is not tamper-proof. For stronger technical controls on a newly reset tablet, see Advanced Device Owner setup.

In this configuration:

• LibreAAC starts automatically when the tablet is restarted;
• LibreAAC fills the screen;
• the tablet attempts to return to LibreAAC if the application is closed;
• accidental access to other Android applications is restricted; and
• an administrator PIN is required to open the kiosk settings.

This guide uses FreeKiosk, a free and open-source Android kiosk application. FreeKiosk supports launching and locking an external Android application, automatic startup, automatic relaunch, fullscreen display, screen pinning and PIN-protected settings.

Tested hardware

This process has so far been tested on a 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 LTE SM-X205 running Samsung’s standard Android software.

Android behaviour differs between manufacturers, models and Android versions. Menu names and kiosk behaviour may therefore differ on another device, and some adjustment may be required.

Before you begin

This guide assumes that:

• LibreAAC is already installed;
• a communication board has been selected or imported;
• speech output works correctly; and
• you can open and use LibreAAC normally.

Test the board, speech voice and volume before enabling kiosk mode.

1. Install FreeKiosk

The easiest installation method is through Google Play:

FreeKiosk is also available directly from its open-source project:

• FreeKiosk website
• FreeKiosk source code and releases on GitHub

When installing from GitHub or the FreeKiosk website, Android may ask for permission to install applications from that source. Only download the APK from the official FreeKiosk project.

FreeKiosk currently requires Android 8.0 or later.

2. Prepare LibreAAC

Before opening FreeKiosk:

1. Open LibreAAC.
2. Confirm that the correct board appears.
3. Test several communication buttons.
4. Check that speech is loud and understandable.
5. Put the tablet into landscape orientation.
6. Turn off automatic rotation while the tablet is in landscape.

On the tested Samsung tablet, rotation was controlled from the Android Quick Settings panel. Other tablets may place this setting under:

Settings → Display

LibreAAC should occupy the screen in landscape orientation without leaving unnecessary Android interface elements visible.

3. Open FreeKiosk

Open FreeKiosk from the Android application launcher.

On its first launch, FreeKiosk should present its configuration screen. If it instead opens directly into kiosk display mode, use its administrator gesture to return to the settings.

In FreeKiosk, tap the secret button near the bottom-right of the screen five times, then enter the administrator PIN.

4. Set an administrator PIN

Set a new administrator PIN before enabling kiosk mode.

Do not retain the default PIN of 1234.

Choose a PIN that:

• the AAC user is unlikely to enter accidentally;
• authorised carers or administrators can retrieve when needed; and
• is recorded somewhere secure.

The PIN is needed to change FreeKiosk settings or leave kiosk mode.

Test the PIN before proceeding.

5. Select LibreAAC as the kiosk application

In FreeKiosk’s display or content settings:

1. Select External App mode.
2. Open the installed-application selector.
3. Select LibreAAC.
4. Confirm that FreeKiosk identifies LibreAAC as the application it should launch.

Do not configure a website address. LibreAAC is an installed Android application, so it must be selected through FreeKiosk’s External App mode.

External App mode supports selecting an installed application, automatically relaunching it and using Android lock-task or screen-pinning facilities where available.

6. Configure kiosk behaviour

Enable the FreeKiosk settings corresponding to the following functions.

Automatic startup

Enable:

• Start on boot
• Auto launch
• Launch external app automatically

This should cause FreeKiosk to start after Android boots and then open LibreAAC.

Automatic return to LibreAAC

Enable:

• Auto relaunch external app
• Return to app after Home or Back
• Monitor external app

The precise option names may vary. The intended result is that FreeKiosk reopens LibreAAC if it is accidentally closed or another screen temporarily appears.

Fullscreen display

Enable:

• Fullscreen
• Immersive fullscreen
• Hide Android status bar
• Hide Android navigation bar

LibreAAC also uses Android immersive-display behaviour. FreeKiosk provides the surrounding kiosk management and attempts to prevent Android’s normal interface from remaining accessible.

Screen pinning or lock mode

Enable FreeKiosk’s available:

• Pin App to Screen
• Screen Pinning
• Lock Mode

Android may display a separate confirmation prompt when screen pinning starts. Accept that prompt.

The strength of screen pinning varies between devices. Some Android versions may still allow a deliberate user to leave the application using navigation gestures or a hardware-button combination. FreeKiosk explicitly notes that its basic mode permits some system interaction.

Test mode

FreeKiosk may initially enable Test Mode for External App mode. Test Mode provides an easier way to return to FreeKiosk while configuration is incomplete.

Leave Test Mode enabled while testing.

After confirming that:

• LibreAAC opens correctly;
• the administrator gesture works;
• the PIN works; and
• the tablet can be recovered reliably,

disable Test Mode for ordinary use.

Settings indicator

FreeKiosk may offer a visible return or settings indicator over the external application.

This can be useful during setup. Once the exit gesture has been tested, the indicator may be hidden so that it does not cover any LibreAAC communication buttons.

The administrator gesture should still be tested after hiding it.

7. Start kiosk mode

Use FreeKiosk’s Start Kiosk, Launch, or equivalent control.

FreeKiosk should open LibreAAC.

If Android asks whether to pin LibreAAC to the screen, approve the request.

Test the following before restarting the tablet:

1. LibreAAC fills the screen.
2. The expected board is displayed.
3. Communication buttons still produce speech.
4. Pressing Home does not leave LibreAAC permanently.
5. Pressing Back at the home board does not close the communication device.
6. FreeKiosk returns to LibreAAC if it is accidentally closed.
7. The administrator gesture opens the PIN prompt.
8. Entering the PIN returns you to FreeKiosk’s settings.

Do not continue until the exit procedure works.

8. Restart and verify the tablet

Completely restart the tablet.

After Android starts, verify that:

• FreeKiosk starts automatically;
• LibreAAC opens without the AAC user finding it manually;
• the correct board loads;
• the tablet remains in landscape orientation;
• Android’s status and navigation bars are hidden;
• speech still works;
• the volume remains appropriate; and
• the administrator can still leave kiosk mode.

Startup may take longer immediately after an Android or application update.

Leaving kiosk mode

Use the administrator gesture configured by FreeKiosk.

Tap the secret button near the bottom-right of the screen five times to open the PIN screen.

Enter the administrator PIN.

An administrator can then:

• change the active LibreAAC board;
• adjust Android speech settings;
• change the speech voice;
• change volume or display settings;
• update LibreAAC;
• update FreeKiosk; or
• temporarily use another application.

After maintenance, restart kiosk mode and repeat the essential tests.

Important limitation

The steps above use FreeKiosk’s ordinary on-device setup and Android screen pinning. This is the appropriate starting point for users who have already installed LibreAAC and want to convert a tablet into a simple communication device without using developer tools.

For a newly reset tablet that needs stronger restrictions, use the separate Advanced Device Owner setup.

Reliability and backup communication

Before relying on the tablet for everyday communication:

• test it after several complete restarts;
• test it without an internet connection;
• ensure the intended speech voice works offline;
• keep the charger available;
• retain a backup copy of the communication board;
• record the FreeKiosk administrator PIN securely; and
• maintain another available method of communication in case the tablet is flat, damaged or unavailable.