FAQ - Setting Up and Managing the BambooHR® Time Kiosk

This guide provides essential information on setting up, configuring, and managing the BambooHR Time Kiosk. It covers installation, permissions, employee clock-in ID setup, and photo storage policies. Key topics include frequently asked questions about purchasing the kiosk, device requirements, setup procedures, and photo retention. The Time Kiosk app is accessible through the Time & Attendance add-on and is compatible with iPadOS devices. Administrators can manage employee clock-in IDs and view related data through the app. Photos taken during clock-in/out are stored locally for four weeks and are not uploaded to BambooHR. For unresolved issues, users are advised to ensure the app and iPad are updated and to contact BambooHR Support if problems persist. Additional resources are provided for further assistance.

Jun 25, 2026
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Summary

This guide addresses frequently asked questions surrounding the set up, configuration, and management of the BambooHR Time Kiosk, including installation, permissions, employee clock-in ID setup, and photo storage policy.

Table of Contents

Frequently asked questions
Escalation & Status
Related Articles

Frequently asked questions

Getting Started

1. Do I have to purchase a BambooHR Time Kiosk?

Access to the BambooHR Time Kiosk app is included in your Time & Attendance add-on. Your company is responsible for purchasing any iPadOS devices you use.

2. Is the Time Kiosk a physical device?

Your time tracking add-on gives you access to the Time Kiosk app at no extra cost, which you can download and use as a central location for your team to clock in and out.

3. What kind of device do I need for the Time Kiosk?

The BambooHR Time Kiosk app is only available for iPadOS. You may use any type of iPad with an operating system of iPadOS 18 and higher.

4. Who can set up the Time Kiosk app?

The Account Owner, Full Admin users, or custom access level users with the Enable/Disable Time & Attendance for All Employees permission can set up the Time Kiosk app.

5. Can I start using it immediately and go back to the setup later?

No, you must complete all of the setup steps before you the kiosk is ready for use.

Setup and Configuration

1. How do I connect the iPad to my BambooHR account?

Once an administrator completes the setup process on the Kiosk app, the iPad syncs to your BambooHR account. There is no extra action needed on your part. You can verify the connection via the Devices tab in Time & Attendance settings.

2. Can I change the clock-in IDs in my account?

If you complete the Time Kiosk setup without enabling clock-in IDs, they will automatically turn on and assign the BambooHR employee number as an employee's clock-in ID. You can change this to be a random format by navigating to Settings > Time & Attendance > Employees tab. Click on the gear icon on the right and select Clock-In ID Settings. There, you can disable the IDs (making the Time Kiosk unusable), or change the default clock-in ID assignment method (employee number or random number).

Be aware, if you change from random number, to employee number, back to random number, each employee will receive a new random number. BambooHR does not keep a record of previous clock-in IDs.

You can also manually update an employee's clock-in ID number by hovering over their name (on the Employees tab or within their Time & Attendance group) and clicking the keypad icon.

3. Where can administrators view employee clock-in IDs?

Admins can view clock-in IDs under Time & Attendance settings > Employees tab, or by viewing individual time & attendance groups. If the account uses employee numbers as the clock-in IDs, those will appear in the employee profile.

4. What if an employee forgets their clock-in ID?

They should contact an admin for their ID. For security, IDs are not automatically shared with employees or listed on their employee profile.

5. Can shift schedule managers update schedules from the kiosk?

No. While employees can view their own schedules on the kiosk, those assigned as shift managers must make changes and publish edits from the web.

Photo Storage and Retention

1. How long are the photos kept on the device? Can I manually delete them?

Photos are stored for four weeks. After that, they are automatically removed from the device. Admins can also delete them manually by using the Clear Images button on the Time Kiosk Events page. After the four week period, the photos are no longer available, but an admin will still be able to view the clocking events on the employee's timesheet tab in BambooHR.

The four-week retention period is fixed and cannot be changed.

2. Are photos uploaded to BambooHR or visible in the web app?

No. Photos are not synced to BambooHR. They are stored only on the iPad and can be viewed by admins in the Time Kiosk app.

3. Do clock-in/out photos count toward my BambooHR data limit?

No. Because the photos are stored locally, they do not contribute to your BambooHR data usage.

4. Are clock-in photos used for anything else?

No. Photos are used solely for verifying clock-in and clock-out events and are not stored or displayed elsewhere.

Escalation & Status

If your kiosk fails to sync, connect, or display updated employee data, ensure you are using the most up-to-date app and iPad version. If issues continue, contact BambooHR Support.

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