Kiosk web display without address bar: use Google Play Web App or Esper WEST App instead of Chrome

Android

If you want to display a single web page full-screen on your Android kiosk devices with no address bar, navigation controls, or system UI elements, Chrome alone won't give you the locked-down experience you need. This article explains two purpose-built alternatives that remove browser chrome entirely and keep users locked to your configured URL.

Why Chrome kiosk mode doesn't work

Chrome's kiosk mode and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) installed from the Play Store retain browser UI elements like address bars, header bars, and navigation controls. These components cannot be fully suppressed through Esper configuration alone, leaving users with a way to navigate away from your intended page.

Option A: Use Google Play Store Web Apps (recommended)

Google Play Store Web Apps use Android's native WebAPK technology to wrap a URL in a standalone app window with no browser chrome. This is the recommended first approach and requires no additional cost.

In the Esper Console, navigate to Apps → Play Store.
In the left panel, click Web Apps.
Click the + icon in the bottom-right corner.
Enter your App Title and URL, then click Create.
Navigate to your target Blueprint.
Under Apps & Configurations, add the newly created web app.
Save the Blueprint changes and click Converge to apply it to your target device(s).
On the device, verify the web app launches full-screen with no address bar, header bar, or browser controls visible, and that users cannot navigate away.

Option B: Use Esper WEST App (paid add-on)

Esper Web App (WEST App) is a proprietary managed web app solution designed specifically for kiosk use cases with true full-screen rendering and Esper-managed enforcement. This is a paid add-on service not included in your standard Esper subscription.

To explore the WEST App option, contact Esper Support and we'll connect you with our Account Management team to discuss pricing and provisioning.

Troubleshoot if the web app still shows UI elements

Check Blueprint configuration: Verify that your Blueprint's Kiosk Mode or Multi-App Mode is correctly configured and has been fully converged on the device. Residual system UI may indicate the Blueprint has not yet applied.
Identify the correct web app: If multiple Google Web Apps appear in the Esper Console, confirm which specific app title and URL corresponds to the one you want to troubleshoot.
Verify Blueprint convergence: In a multi-device deployment, confirm the Blueprint has been converged to all target device groups, not just a single test device.
Test on your specific hardware: Web App behavior may vary slightly across Android versions and device manufacturers. Test on the exact hardware you plan to deploy before rolling out to all devices.

Still need help?

If you've tried both options or need a custom solution tailored to your specific requirements, submit a support ticket and our team will assist you.