Got a spare iPad or Android tablet? You can turn it into an always-on family hub — mounted on the fridge, the kitchen wall, or wherever your family gathers — showing your PAM calendar and what's coming up. This is sometimes called "kiosk mode": the device stays locked to PAM so little hands (or curious guests) can't wander off into other apps.
There's no special PAM setting to switch on. Instead, you'll use a feature built into your device to keep PAM front and centre.
Before you start
Make sure you've installed the most recent version of the PAM app on the device and that you're logged in to the right village. It's also worth turning off Auto-Lock / Sleep so the screen stays on (we cover that below).
Setting up on iPad (Guided Access)
Apple's built-in tool to keep the iPad to a single app is called Guided Access.
1. Turn on Guided Access
Open Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access.
Toggle Guided Access on.
Tap Passcode Settings → Set Guided Access Passcode and choose a passcode you'll remember. (You'll need this to exit later.)
2. If you want to keep the screen on always
Go to Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock and set it to Never so the display doesn't switch off.
3. Start the session
Open the PAM app.
Triple-click the top button (or the Home button on older iPads).
Tap Start in the top-right corner.
PAM is now locked to the screen. To exit, triple-click again and enter your passcode.
Setting up on Android (Screen Pinning)
Android's tool to keep tablet to a sign app is called Screen Pinning (called "App pinning" on some devices). Exact menu names vary slightly by brand (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.), but the steps should be similar for different devices.
1. Turn on Screen Pinning
Open Settings → Security (or Security & privacy → More security settings).
Find Screen pinning (sometimes under "Other security settings") and toggle it on.
Turn on Ask for PIN before unpinning so the app can't be closed without your unlock code.
2. Keep the screen awake
Go to Settings → Display → Screen timeout and set the longest option available. (Many tablets also have a Screen saver mode you can use instead.)
3. Pin PAM
Open the PAM app.
Open the Recent apps view (swipe up and hold, or tap the square button).
Tap the PAM app icon at the top of its card, then tap Pin.
PAM is now pinned. To exit, swipe up and hold (or hold Back + Overview together), then enter your PIN.
Tips for a great family display
Power: Keep the tablet plugged in, a wall mount or stand near an outlet works best for an always-on display. Note that leaving a device permanently on charge can wear the battery over time. An old or spare device is ideal for this.
Brightness: Lower the brightness a little to save the screen and avoid a glaring fridge.
Wi-Fi: Make sure the device stays on your home Wi-Fi, so PAM keeps updating.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a proper "kiosk mode" in PAM?
Not in PAM. Instead you use your device's built-in single-app lock (Guided Access on iPad, Screen Pinning on Android). For most families this does exactly the job: PAM stays on screen and can't be closed by accident.
Will it survive a restart?
No. Guided Access and Screen Pinning both switch off if the device fully restarts, so you'll need to start the session again afterwards. For a device that's always plugged in, this rarely comes up.
Can I still get notifications?
Yes, but they won't pop up while locked to PAM the way they normally would. This display is best thought of as a shared "what's coming up" screen rather than a replacement for PAM on your own phone.
My family has both iPhones and Android phones, does that matter?
Not at all. The home display is just one extra device. Everyone can keep using their own phones as normal; the fridge tablet is simply another window into the same shared village.