How can I lock down shared Samsung tablets without paying for MDM?

August 11, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MellowCedar47
I have five Samsung A11+ devices that need to be shared by different users. They should mainly allow access to a web browser, the camera, and photo browsing when uploading images. Ideally, closing the browser would clear passwords, sessions, and other user data because most services are accessed through a web portal. I need to prevent users from opening unrelated apps, installing new apps, or changing important device settings. I would prefer to keep the owner account for administration and let users work from a separate, restricted profile. However, Samsung's instructions for restricted users do not seem to match the available settings on these devices, possibly because of the Android version or region. Guest mode also seems unsuitable because it creates a fresh environment each time. Is there a practical built-in or free solution, such as app pinning, parental controls, Family Link, or a no-cost device-management service? A Google-account-based option might be acceptable, although linking the devices to a business-managed account may not be possible.

Answers

QuietMaple22
The built-in parental-control features or Family Link are probably the closest free options. They would require managed Google accounts, though, and may not provide a proper shared-device or kiosk experience.
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SilverKite91
A separate non-owner account with no Google account might be the simplest setup if you can get it working. Just be aware that without MDM or a true kiosk configuration, users may still be able to reset the device, change the PIN, or find ways around the restrictions. App pinning can reduce the risk, but it is not a complete lockdown.
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OrbitingPine8
App pinning may help if users only need one app at a time, but it is fairly limited. You may have to compromise on the requirements, and it will not provide the same control as a dedicated management system.
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BrightLynx63
A free tier from a mobile-device-management provider could be worth investigating. Some services support a limited number of devices at no cost and would give you better control over app installation, profiles, and settings than Android's built-in tools.
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