How to Launch Chromium in Kiosk Mode?

Posted on August 27, 2024 DevLatest In Blogs

How to Launch Chromium in Kiosk Mode?

Launching Chromium in Kiosk mode can be essential for setting up a public display, an information kiosk, or a dedicated application screen without any distractions. Below is a detailed guide on how to launch Chromium in Kiosk mode, including various configurations and troubleshooting tips.

1. Understanding Kiosk Mode

Kiosk Mode in Chromium is a feature that allows the browser to run in full-screen mode without any user interface elements such as the address bar, tabs, or menu buttons. This mode is particularly useful in scenarios where you want to restrict user interaction to a single web page or application, providing a clean, distraction-free experience.

2. Prerequisites

Before diving into the setup, make sure you have the following:

Chromium Installed: Ensure Chromium is installed on your system. You can download and install it from the official website or using package managers like apt, yum, or brew depending on your operating system.
Basic Command Line Knowledge: You’ll need to use the terminal or command prompt to launch Chromium with specific flags.

3. Launching Chromium in Kiosk Mode

For Windows:

Create a Shortcut:
- Right-click on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- In the “Create Shortcut” window, paste the following command:
  - - “C:\Path\To\Chromium\chrome.exe” –kiosk “http://yourwebsite.com”
  Replace C:\Path\To\Chromium\chrome.exe with the actual path to your Chromium executable and http://yourwebsite.com with the URL you want to display.
- Click Next, name the shortcut (e.g., “Chromium Kiosk Mode”), and click Finish.
Launch Kiosk Mode:
- Double-click the shortcut you just created. Chromium will open directly in full-screen Kiosk mode, displaying the specified URL.
Additional Options:
- You can add more flags to customize the behavior:
  - –incognito to open in incognito mode.
  - –disable-translate to prevent translation prompts.
  - –no-first-run to skip the first run experience.

For macOS:

Using Terminal:
- Open the Terminal app.
- Run the following command:
  - - /Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium –kiosk “http://yourwebsite.com”
  Adjust the path to Chromium and the URL as needed.
Automating with a Script:
- Create a script to automate the launch:
  - Open a text editor and paste the command.
  - Save it as launch_chromium_kiosk.sh.
  - Make the script executable by running:
    - chmod +x launch_chromium_kiosk.sh
  - Run the script with:
    - ./launch_chromium_kiosk.sh

For Linux:

Using Terminal:
- Open the terminal.
- Run:
  - chromium-browser –kiosk “http://yourwebsite.com”
- If Chromium is installed via a different package or under a different name, adjust the command accordingly.
Configuring Autostart:
- If you want Chromium to start in Kiosk mode automatically when the system boots, add the command to your desktop environment’s startup applications:
  - For GNOME, use the Startup Applications tool.
  - For other environments, add the command to .xinitrc or .bash_profile.

4. Additional Customization

1. Disable System UI Elements:

To ensure that users cannot exit Kiosk mode easily, you may want to disable some system UI elements:

Disabling Keyboard Shortcuts: On Linux, use tools like xmodmap to disable specific key combinations like Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Alt+Del, etc.
Hiding the Mouse Cursor: Use the unclutter utility to hide the mouse cursor when it’s not in use:
- sudo apt-get install unclutter unclutter &

2. Handling User Sessions:

If you want to manage user sessions and ensure that each session starts fresh:

Use Incognito Mode: Launch Chromium with the –incognito flag to ensure no session data is saved:
- chromium-browser –kiosk –incognito “http://yourwebsite.com”
Automatic Page Reloads: Set up a script or use extensions to automatically reload the page at intervals to handle any potential issues with the page hanging or becoming unresponsive.

5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: Chromium Not Launching in Kiosk Mode

Check the Command Syntax: Ensure the command syntax is correct, especially the path to Chromium and the flags used.
Verify Installation: Make sure Chromium is properly installed on your system.

Issue: Unable to Exit Kiosk Mode

Use Keyboard Shortcuts: In most cases, you can exit Kiosk mode by pressing Alt+F4 or Ctrl+W.
Accessing Task Manager: On Windows, use Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager and close Chromium.

Issue: Chromium Starts in Normal Mode

Check Startup Parameters: Verify that the shortcut or script includes the –kiosk flag.
Interference from Other Applications: Ensure no other application or script is interfering with Chromium’s launch parameters.

6. Security Considerations

When deploying a kiosk, security is paramount. Here are some tips to secure your setup:

User Permissions: Run Chromium under a restricted user account with limited permissions to prevent unauthorized access to system settings.
Lockdown Mode: On Linux, consider using a lockdown mode or a dedicated kiosk environment like xkiosk or Raspberry Pi Kiosk setups for enhanced security.
Network Security: Ensure the network connection used by the kiosk is secure, with necessary firewalls and filters in place to prevent unauthorized access.

7. Alternative Approaches

Using Chrome Extensions:

Several Chrome extensions are designed to manage Kiosk mode more effectively, providing features like scheduled restarts, remote management, and enhanced lockdown capabilities.

Dedicated Kiosk Software:

Consider using dedicated kiosk software that can provide additional management features, including remote monitoring, advanced security, and content control.

Launching Chromium in Kiosk mode is a straightforward process that can be tailored to fit various needs, from public information displays to dedicated application environments. By following the steps outlined above, you can set up a secure, user-friendly kiosk environment that meets your specific requirements.