Guided Access, a feature designed to restrict a device to a single application, can sometimes encounter issues that prevent it from functioning as intended when managed through a mobile device management (MDM) solution like Microsoft Intune. Specifically, situations can arise where the managed application is inaccessible through the Guided Access mechanism. This can manifest as an inability to initiate Guided Access mode for a specific app, or as an error message indicating that the app is not available for use with the feature. This occurrence is often related to configuration settings or conflicts between the Intune management policies and the device’s Guided Access settings.
The correct functioning of single-app mode is crucial for organizations that deploy devices for specific purposes, such as point-of-sale systems, kiosks, or educational tools. The ability to lock a device into a single application enhances security, prevents unauthorized usage, and improves the user experience by streamlining access to the intended functionality. Disruptions to this functionality can lead to operational inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and user frustration. Historically, resolving issues with single-app mode required extensive troubleshooting and manual configuration adjustments, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
