[android] Locking down an Android Phone

[tg12]

Hi all,

 

Looking for suggestions here as I know very little about Android. We have a pupil who, as part of an EHCP, requires an internet device to allow them to look up words to find pictures to aid with comprehension. We don't have wireless network access throughout the school so we were hoping we could use a device with access to mobile data. I initially suggested an iPad with a SIM card but this was ruled out on cost grounds.

 

I've been suggested to look into cheap Android phones/tablets but I don't know how easy these are to lock down. Our main concerns are particularly with phones and stopping calls/text message functions on it. Can anyone recommend effective ways to lock Android down to do very specific tasks?

 

Thanks in advance!

[TwistedHelixis]

They are very easy to lock down. You have a few options.

 

Use the main (admin) account to create a standard user account and remove apps act from this account.

 

If you want to really lock them down there are a tone of free parental apps you can install which give you complete control of everything on the phone.

[kjadams]

I used Sophos Mobile Control to lock down 2 Nexus tablets we had.

[tg12]

Thanks! Useful stuff so far, I'll have a look into all this. Also learning new things too, had no idea you could have multiple users with Android devices! Clearly I have been blinkered by iOS all these years.