Setting Up Your Visitor Kiosk

Last updated March 2026

Accessing the Kiosk

Every location in Porter has a dedicated kiosk URL that follows the format /kiosk/[locationId]. This URL is automatically generated when you create a new location and serves as the entry point for visitors checking in at your premises. The kiosk is a fully responsive web application that works on any modern browser.

To find and share your kiosk URL, navigate to Locations in the Porter dashboard and select your location. The kiosk URL is displayed at the top of the location detail page alongside a convenient copy button. You can share this link directly with your IT team or reception staff to set up on a device.

Porter also generates a QR code for each kiosk URL. This QR code can be downloaded as a PNG image and printed for display at your reception area. Visitors can scan the QR code with their personal mobile device to check in without touching a shared tablet, which is useful for hygiene-conscious environments.

For organisations that want to provide both options, you can set up a dedicated tablet at reception while also displaying the QR code nearby. This gives visitors the flexibility to choose their preferred check-in method and reduces queues during busy arrival periods.

• Kiosk URL format: /kiosk/[locationId]
• URL is auto-generated when a location is created
• Share via direct link or downloadable QR code
• QR code enables contactless mobile check-in

Recommended Devices

Porter is designed to work on any device with a modern web browser, but certain devices provide a better experience for reception kiosk use. The ideal kiosk device has a screen large enough for comfortable typing, a front-facing camera for visitor photos, and the ability to be locked into a single-app mode.

For the best experience, we recommend an iPad (9th generation or later) running Safari. iPads offer excellent screen quality, reliable camera hardware, and Apple's Guided Access feature which locks the device to the Porter kiosk. The 10.2-inch iPad is the most popular choice among Porter customers, balancing screen size with cost-effectiveness.

Android tablets are also well-supported. We recommend devices with at least a 10-inch screen running Chrome browser. Samsung Galaxy Tab A series and Lenovo Tab M10 are both excellent choices. Android offers a built-in screen pinning feature, and many manufacturers provide dedicated kiosk mode software for enterprise use.

For desktop deployments, any modern computer with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari will work. This can be useful for staffed reception desks where a receptionist manages check-ins on behalf of visitors. The minimum recommended screen size is 10 inches for self-service use and 13 inches for assisted check-in scenarios.

• iPad (9th gen+) with Safari — recommended for most deployments
• Android tablets (10"+) with Chrome — Samsung Galaxy Tab A, Lenovo Tab M10
• Desktop browsers — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari
• Minimum screen size: 10 inches for self-service kiosk
• Front-facing camera required for visitor photo feature

Kiosk Lock Mode

Kiosk lock mode prevents visitors from accidentally (or intentionally) navigating away from the check-in screen. When enabled, a PIN is required to exit the kiosk interface, access device settings, or switch to another app. This is essential for unattended reception areas.

To set up kiosk lock mode in Porter, go to your location settings and find the Kiosk Security section. Enable the "Kiosk Lock" toggle and enter a 4-6 digit PIN. This PIN will be required to access the kiosk admin menu, which is accessed by tapping the Porter logo five times in quick succession.

In addition to Porter's built-in lock, we strongly recommend using your device's native kiosk mode for an extra layer of security. On iPad, enable Guided Access via Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access. On Android, use Screen Pinning or your device manufacturer's kiosk mode. This prevents access to the home screen, notification centre, and other apps.

If you need to access the kiosk settings while in lock mode, tap the Porter logo five times to reveal the PIN entry screen. Enter your PIN to access options such as refreshing the kiosk, clearing the cache, switching locations, or exiting to the browser. The PIN can be changed at any time from the Porter dashboard.

• Enable kiosk lock in Location Settings > Kiosk Security
• Set a 4-6 digit PIN for admin access
• Access admin menu by tapping Porter logo 5 times
• Combine with device-native kiosk mode for maximum security
• PIN can be reset from the Porter dashboard at any time

Custom Branding

Porter allows you to fully customise the kiosk appearance to match your brand identity. A branded kiosk creates a professional first impression and reassures visitors that they are checking in at the right place. All branding settings are found in the Kiosk tab of your location settings.

Start by uploading your company logo. The logo appears at the top of the kiosk welcome screen and on each step of the check-in flow. For best results, use a high-resolution image (at least 400px wide) with a transparent background. Porter supports PNG, JPG, and SVG formats.

Set your primary and secondary brand colours using the colour pickers or by entering hex codes. The primary colour is used for buttons, links, and interactive elements. The secondary colour is used for accents and hover states. Porter automatically adjusts text contrast to ensure readability on coloured backgrounds.

Customise the welcome message that greets visitors when they first see the kiosk. The default message is "Welcome! Please check in below" but you can change this to anything that suits your environment, such as "Welcome to [Company Name]. Please sign in to let your host know you've arrived." You can also toggle individual fields on or off to streamline the check-in process.

The branding preview panel on the right side of the settings page shows a live preview of your kiosk as you make changes. This allows you to experiment with different colours and messages before publishing to your live kiosk. Changes take effect immediately once saved.

• Upload company logo (PNG, JPG, or SVG, 400px+ recommended)
• Set primary and secondary brand colours
• Customise the welcome message text
• Toggle individual check-in fields on or off
• Live preview panel shows changes in real time

QR Code Check-In

QR code check-in provides a fast, contactless experience for pre-registered visitors. When a visitor is pre-registered in Porter, they receive an email containing a unique QR code. Upon arrival, they simply scan this code at the kiosk to complete their check-in instantly, without retyping any information.

To enable QR code check-in, ensure the "QR Code Scanner" option is turned on in your kiosk settings. When enabled, the kiosk welcome screen displays a "Scan QR Code" button alongside the standard "Check In" button. Tapping the scan button activates the device camera and presents a scanning interface.

You can also display a static QR code at your reception desk that links to the kiosk URL. This allows walk-in visitors to check in on their own mobile phones by scanning the code, which opens the kiosk in their mobile browser. This approach is popular for high-traffic lobbies where multiple visitors may arrive simultaneously.

The QR code check-in process respects all your configured kiosk settings. If photo capture is required, the pre-registered visitor will still be prompted to take a photo. If an NDA is configured, they will be shown the agreement for signing. Only the data entry fields (name, company, host) are skipped since that information was provided during pre-registration.

• Pre-registered visitors receive a unique QR code via email
• Scanning the QR code skips manual data entry
• Enable QR scanning in kiosk settings
• Static QR codes can direct visitors to the mobile kiosk
• Photo and NDA steps are still enforced when required

Advanced Kiosk Settings

Beyond basic branding, Porter offers several advanced kiosk settings to tailor the check-in experience to your specific needs. These settings are found in the Kiosk tab of your location settings under the "Advanced" section.

Photo capture can be enabled or disabled per location. When enabled, visitors are prompted to take a selfie during check-in using the device's front-facing camera. The photo is stored with the visitor record and included in the host notification, making it easy for hosts to identify their guest in a busy lobby.

The NDA and agreement feature allows you to upload a document that visitors must read and sign before completing check-in. Porter supports both typed-text agreements and uploaded PDF documents. Visitors sign by drawing their signature on the screen. All signed agreements are stored and can be retrieved from the visitor log for compliance purposes.

Custom form fields let you collect additional information specific to your organisation. You can add text fields, dropdown menus, checkboxes, and date pickers. Each field can be marked as required or optional. Common examples include vehicle registration, badge number, purpose of visit, and emergency contact details.

Return visitor recognition uses email matching to identify returning visitors. When enabled, a visitor who has checked in before can enter their email address and Porter will pre-fill their name, company, and other details from their previous visit. This significantly speeds up repeat check-ins and reduces typing errors.

• Photo capture — include visitor photos in host notifications
• NDA/agreement — require visitors to sign before entry
• Custom form fields — text, dropdown, checkbox, date picker
• Return visitor recognition — auto-fill details for repeat visitors
• All settings are configurable per location