Can I disable apps on a tablet?

[VACaver]

I'm brainstorming about how to provide work instructions on tablets and need some advice.

Basically, I want the user to ONLY be able to use a .pdf reader app on a tablet to view instruction manuals. That's it...no other apps will work.

Is it possible to disable ALL other apps that are installed on a tablet?

Thanks!

 

[jean15paul]

I think the best way to do it is to use the new multi-user/multi-account feature. If you're the owner/admin, you should be able to only give your users access to Adobe Reader through a secondary account.

That being said, multi-user is a new feature is Android 4.2 and there aren't many tablets that run 4.2 ... I think just the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. (Maybe the ASUS tranformer line has started to upgrade.) Without the multi-user feature, I'm not sure how the OS will behave if you start disabling system apps. Besides, there'd be nothing to stop your users from re-enable the apps.

 

[VACaver]

Thanks for the reply...it's a start and something I'll look into.

 

[Lanhoj]

Why not just lock the other Apps?

I use "App Lock II Widget Pro"--> https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ils?id=net.xdevelop.protector3&token=HT4L24XQ when I give kids my tablet so they can't access stuff I don't want them to.

 

[VACaver]

That's an idea, but I would prefer that there be NO icons available for the user to see except the reader app.

Plus, one reviewer had this to say: "Not compatible with android since ICS. Author fakes update dates. One must be mad to install."

 

[Lanhoj]

...
Plus, one reviewer had this to say: "Not compatible with android since ICS. Author fakes update dates. One must be mad to install."

Lies, I use it now on all my Androids from my Evo Design 4G, GNex, S3, OG Kindle Fire & Nexus 4 (running everything from 4.0.3-4.2.2) & the update date is accurate.