Managing iPads in restaurants and cafés
Managing iPads in a restaurant or café means keeping order, till and menu devices in the configuration you set: erase blocking, hidden or blocked extra apps, and Wi-Fi and passcode rules pushed to every branch. Locking an iPad to one app on ABMDM is still Coming soon and not part of the service. This article separates what is live, what Apple already offers such as Guided Access, and how to handle shift changes and lost devices.
What can MDM do for iPads in a restaurant or café?
MDM keeps a venue's iPads in the configuration you set. Devices the venue buys through the business channel enrol as soon as they are switched on, staff cannot erase them or remove management, apps that have nothing to do with selling are hidden or blocked, and Wi-Fi and passcode rules are pushed to every branch. Devices bought at retail outside that channel do not enrol on their own and must be added with Apple Configurator (per the iPad kiosk page). All of that is available on ABMDM today. Locking an iPad to a single app is still listed as Coming soon.
For devices bought through the business channel, Apple says devices in Automated Device Enrollment are supervised, and a supervised device cannot be unenrolled by the user when the prevent-unenrollment option is on (Apple documentation). The background on supervision is in supervised mode.
| What the owner wants | Available on ABMDM now | Coming soon |
|---|---|---|
| The last person on shift cannot erase a device or take it out of management | Supervision, erase blocking, unenrolment blocking | |
| Order iPads without apps unrelated to selling | Hide or block individual apps | |
| Every branch has the venue's Wi-Fi and passcode ready | Pushed in bulk | |
| Only the ordering app on screen | Lock an iPad to one app | |
| Apps on the whole fleet without touching each iPad | Silent app install |
Each item is described on the iPad kiosk and features pages.
Can an iPad be locked to a single ordering app?
On Apple's side yes; on ABMDM's side not yet. Apple's documentation lists an App Lock restriction for supervised devices that allows only a single app on iPhone and iPad (Restrictions, Apple). ABMDM has not opened this feature: locking an iPad to one app is Coming soon and not part of the service.
In the meantime Apple provides Guided Access, which you switch on at the device. It temporarily locks the iPad to one app, needs a passcode to exit, and lets you limit buttons, keyboard and touch (Guided Access, Apple). For the steps to turn it on and use it, see Apple's guide above. This is a per-device setting made on site, not an ABMDM feature, and it does not replace remote management.
Three kinds of iPad in a venue, and what to configure
- Waiter order iPads. They move between tables. Use a required passcode, Wi-Fi pushed in advance, erase blocking and hidden extra apps. If one is lost, lock it remotely.
- Counter or till iPads. Fixed in place. Same baseline plus restrictions as needed. According to the iPad kiosk page, ABMDM can block AirDrop, the camera and screenshots (Apple describes these restrictions in its documentation). Turn off only what the counter does not need.
- Menu or self-order iPads. Customers touch them directly, so they are the easiest to leave the app. They gain the most once single-app lock ships. Until then, use a sturdy stand and Guided Access.
Do not switch on restrictions "just in case". Each one removes something staff may need, so try them on one device for one shift before rolling out.
Shift changes, moving counters, lost devices
Shift change: the iPad stays on its stand with a required passcode and erase blocked, so the last person on shift cannot "reset" it. Moving a device to another counter or branch: attach it to the right branch so branch staff only see their own devices. More on counter devices is in iPad kiosk mode.
If a device is lost, lock it remotely with the shop's contact number. Wipe only when you are sure it will not come back.
Do not use staff members' personal iPads as order devices without clear written consent.
Cost
The retail price is 17,000 VND per device per month, excluding VAT, with a 30-day minimum per device. Paying annually saves 20%. See pricing; resellers should get in touch.
Call 0913 081 986 (8am–9pm every day) when you set up your first venue iPad.
All articles · What is MDM? Mobile device management for business · What is Apple Business? The change from April 2026 · How to register Apple Business in Vietnam
Frequently asked questions
Can ABMDM lock an iPad to a single ordering app yet?
Not yet. ABMDM lists this as Coming soon, so a venue cannot use it right now. What works today is stopping staff from erasing devices or removing management, and hiding or blocking extra apps.
What can I use in the meantime to keep a self-order iPad on one app?
Apple's built-in Guided Access, set up on each device with its own passcode. It is not an ABMDM feature.
Can staff erase or reset a restaurant iPad at the end of a shift?
On a supervised device with unenrolment prevention and erase blocking on, the user cannot remove the device from management on their own.
What if a waiter's iPad is lost?
Lock it remotely with the shop's contact number. Wipe it only when you are sure it will not come back.
How much does it cost to manage one iPad?
The retail price is 17,000 VND per device per month, excluding VAT, with a 30-day minimum per device. Paying annually saves 20%. Resellers should get in touch.
Want advice tailored to how you operate?
Call 0913 081 986 (8am–9pm, every day) or leave your details and we will call you back.