Getting Started with the BambooHR Time Kiosk

This guide provides instructions for setting up the BambooHR Kiosk app. It outlines the necessary steps for administrators, including verifying time and attendance settings, downloading the app, and logging in. Key tasks include enabling the time clock in web settings, setting up Clock-In IDs, and completing group settings. Users are encouraged to download the app from the Apple App Store or their BambooHR account. The guide also covers first-time setup, kiosk mode activation, and accessing settings within the app. Additionally, it highlights permissions for account owners and admins, ensuring proper access control. The tutorial is designed to facilitate smooth implementation of the BambooHR Kiosk app for time tracking.

Jun 25, 2026
Knowledge

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I've downloaded the BambooHR Kiosk app. Now what?

Purpose: This guide will walk you through an admin's setup for the BambooHR Kiosk app. It will explain how to set up the app, where to find an employee's clock-in ID, and identify what time tracking actions may and may not be done via the app.

Table of Contents

BambooHR Time Kiosk Setup Checklist
BambooHR Time Kiosk Settings (must be accessed through the app)
- Time Kiosk Events
- Update Kiosk Nickname
Time Kiosk Access Permissions

Want more of the Time Kiosk fun? Check out our BambooHR Learning course!

BambooHR Time Kiosk Setup Checklist

To ensure you are ready to start using your BambooHR Kiosk app, please ensure you have completed each of the tasks below. Let's get started!

1. Verify Time & Attendance Settings (must be done via web app)

If you are a new time & attendance user and you have not completed the Tme & Attendance setup ch ecklist before, make sure you do so before moving on in this guide. If you're an existing time tracking customer and are adding Time Kiosk to your stack, we just need to make a few changes. Let's get started!

Step 1: Enable the Time Clock on Web

Within your Time & Attendance group settings, select the Start & End Times option and ensure the Enable Time Clock box is checked. You must use the Start & End Times option to use the Time Kiosk app.

When you choose Enable the Time Clock, the Scheduling Time Clock options appear. Employees who are assigned published schedules can view their upcoming shifts from the BambooHR Time Kiosk. If you choose Only during a scheduled shift, employees will only be able to clock in during an assigned shift. If you choose Anytime, employees can clock in regardless of whether they have a scheduled shift.

Completing the Time Kiosk setup will automatically enable clock-in IDs. By default, they will be set to the BambooHR employee number, but you can always change them to be random numbers in Time & Attendance settings.

Step 2: Complete the rest your group settings

Determine who should approve timesheets and when, overtime rules, the first day of your workweek, and holiday pay settings. Then, click Save.

Step 3: Set up your Clock-In IDs

Navigate to Settings > Time & Attendance
On the Employees tab, click the gear icon
Select Clock-In ID Settings
Select Enable Clock-in ID
Choose to use BambooHR employee number or random number assignments
Click Save

You may choose whether the ID numbers should be your BambooHR employee numbers or a random four-digit number. When you enable clock-in IDs, our system will assign IDs to each employee in time & attendance, regardless of their time tracking method. However, those clocking in via the web app or mobile will not need to use these ID numbers.

Do you want to watch a video about clock-in IDs?

(Optional) Step 4: Set up additional features

Before downloading the app, make sure you have completed setup for project tracking and meal & rest breaks, if applicable. If enabled, employees can track time to specific projects and tasks right from their kiosk profile. Similarly, they can track paid and unpaid breaks via the Take a break button. If your organization uses employee scheduling, employees can also view their assigned schedules from the Time Kiosk after signing in. Schedule information is automatically available for employees who have published shifts assigned to them.

2. Download the BambooHR Time Kiosk app

We want it to be as easy as possible to find and download the BambooHR Time Kiosk app. Check out the different methods below!

Download from the Apple App Store

The BambooHR Time Kiosk app is easy to download via the Apple App Store. Simply open the app store on your iPad, search for "BambooHR Time Kiosk", and download the app.

Download from your BambooHR account

If this is your first time tracking device:

On your iPad, login to BambooHR from your web browser (such as Safari or Chrome), login to BambooHR. Then navigate to Settings > Time & Attendance > Devices. From this device overview page, click on the Download on the App Store icon to download the app.

Do you want to watch a video on this topic?

If this is not your first time tracking device:

If you have previously set up a time clock or kiosk, your clocks will appear on the Devices tab. If you want to add a new kiosk, you can do so right from the Devices tab.

From your web browser, login to BambooHR. Then, navigate to Settings > Time & Attendance > Devices > Add Time Clock > Time Kiosk.

Clicking Time Kiosk opens up this modal where you can scan the QR code or tap the Download on the App Store icon.

3. Open the BambooHR Time Kiosk app and log in

The login process on your iPad device will be the same as your web and mobile experience. Don't worry, only those with permission can open and login to the app as an admin. Once you login, the kiosk app syncs with your BambooHR account, and the device registers to your Devices tab.

4. Complete first time set up

You can set up the Time Kiosk app in no time. Complete the three, easy steps below to get it up-and-running!

1. Grant Location Access: To begin, enable precise location. This step is required for setup.

2. Create a Location Name: This location name will sync over to the BambooHR web app under Time & Attendance Settings > Devices.

3. Camera Access: Enable camera access so we can snap a picture of your employees when they clock in and out.

Hooray! Your setup is complete. Skip For Now will take you straight to the home screen, while View Time Kiosk Tour will give a short overview of the app.

5. Take a tour or go to the home screen

The tutorial includes four parts: Home, Clocking In, Switching Projects, Clocking Out. It's designed to be short and easy, so we recommend taking a look!

If you choose to skip the tour, you can go back to it later by clicking the lightbulb icon at the bottom of your kiosk screen.

6. Enable kiosk mode on your iPad device

Kiosk mode locks the iPad to a single app and restricts certain features. Follow the directions below to enable Guided Access.

To turn on kiosk mode in your iPad settings:

1. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access

2. Toggle the switch to ON.

3. Tap Passcode Settings to set a passcode to exit Guided Access mode.

You will only need to follow these steps once.

To turn on kiosk mode in-app:

1. Open the BambooHR Time Kiosk app.

2. Triple-click the side (or top) button.*

3. Select Start.

Depending on your iPad model, the button to enable Kiosk Mode may be different. For more help enabling Guided Access, check out this Apple support article.

To exit kiosk mode:

1. Triple-click the side (or top) button.

2. Enter your passcode.

3. Select End.

BambooHR Time Kiosk Settings (must be accessed through the app)

To access the Kiosk settings, click on the gear icon at the bottom of your screen. Upon tap, the app will prompt you to re-enter your BambooHR credentials to verify your access permissions, ensuring only those with admin permissions can access the Kiosk settings.

Kiosk-specific settings may be edited on the kiosk itself. However, any settings that may affect an additional kiosk or individual employee data must be edited via the BambooHR desktop experience.

Time Kiosk Events

Selecting Time Kiosk Events brings up a searchable page with basic information about each kiosk event.

Selecting See Event or See Multiple Events allows you to review the picture captured upon clock in/clock out, review the time and location of their action, and determine the projects the employee logged time to during their shift.