Information about and how to install the new app for kiosk exams (PWA) on Chromebooks

Note that this instruction is intended for people with experience administering an organization in Google Workspace.

Due to Google's plans to end support for Chrome apps, which includes Trelson's previous Kiosk app, we have now developed a new app for exams in Kiosk mode through Trelson (a Progressive Web App, PWA in short). The transition from a Chrome app to a PWA is primarily a technical change to ensure continued support and compatibility with modern web standards.

This change does not affect the functionality or user experience of exams in Kiosk mode via Trelson. For both teachers and students, the app will function as before. When a task is created by the teacher, they will continue to select kiosk mode as the security client, and students will open the app in logged-out mode on their Chromebooks via the app library in the lower left corner. However, it is necessary for Google Workspace administrators to install the new version of the Kiosk app on students' Chromebooks. You will find all instructions in this article.

To ensure a smooth transition, both the old and new Trelson Kiosk apps will be available in parallel until July 2026. However, by July 2025, your Google Workspace administrator must enable the policy 'KioskChromeAppsForceAllowed' to continue using Chrome apps in kiosk mode. Without this policy in place, kiosk-mode apps—including Trelson Kiosk—will be disabled by default.

We recommend installing the new, PWA version of the Trelson Kiosk app as soon as possible. This will give your organization sufficient time to transition before the old version is phased out. Exams in kiosk mode in the Chrome app version of Trelson Kiosk app will remain accessible in both versions until July 2026, provided that the required policy is enabled by the July 2025 deadline.

Read more about the deprecation of Chrome apps on Googles support page:  https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/15950395

Before you begin the installation

Before you install the new Kiosk app on students' Chromebooks, it is important that the following requirements are met:

• Managed Chromebooks: Students' devices must be managed and registered with Chrome Education Upgrade licenses. For detailed information, see Google's support article on managing devices.
• Ensure correct access in Google Workspace: Make sure that you have the proper administrative access in your Google Workspace domain. If you cannot see the options/settings described below, it may indicate that you do not have the necessary administrative access.
   

Install the Trelson Kiosk app for exams (PWA)

1. Open the Google Admin Console

1. Use the Chrome browser and go to admin.google.com.
2. Log in with an administrator account that has permission to manage Kiosk apps in your Google Workspace for Education domain.

2. Enable Verified mode

1. Go to Devices > Chrome > Settings.
2. Select the Organizational unit where students' Chromebooks are registered, or select the top organization so that the settings are inherited downward to all OUs below.
3. Go to the Device settings tab and search for the setting Verified mode.
4. Under Verified mode, you need to paste a Service Account address into the "Services with full access" field. Find the address by opening another tab, log in to Trelson using an account with admin access and visit https://assessment.trelson.com/teacher/kioskinfo. Copy the information in the field “Service account”. Note! If, in the admin console, there are other Service Account addresses, make sure to add Trelsons on a new row.  
5. Click Save to grant Trelson access to check whether the Chromebook is in Kiosk mode, which is required for the student to open the exam.

6. Double-check that all OUs under the OU where you installed the Service Account address have inherited the setting. The Service Account address should be visible in the same field for all OUs that have registered Chromebooks.

    

3. Add the Kiosk app to Chromebooks

1. Go to Devices > Chrome > Apps and extensions.
2. Go to the Kiosks tab and click on the yellow plus sign in the upper right corner.
3. Select the Organizational unit where students' Chromebooks are registered.
4. Select Add app via URL and paste the following URL:
   https://assessment.trelson.com/student/kiosk
    
5. Accept the terms to add the app.
    

4. Configure app settings

1. After the app has been added to the list, click on it to expand the configuration settings box.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and click on Add extensions and select Add from Chrome Web Store.
3. Click the Search by ID option and paste the Companion Extension ID locatable within Trelson (if you are an administrator)
   assessment.trelson.com/teacher/kioskinfo
4. Select Trelson Companion Extension when it appears and click Select.
5. Expand more information about the extension and ensure that the settings listed below are enabled. Once done, make sure to click Save in the top right corner of the admin console.
   • Allow enterprise challenge 
   • Allow on-screen keyboard 
   • Enable plug-ins

6. Next, double-check that all OUs under the OU where you installed the kiosk app have inherited the installation. The kiosk app should be installed on all OUs that have registered Chromebooks.

5. Re-grant scope access to the Trelson Workspace Application

1. In the menu to the left, navigate to Apps > Google Workspace Marketplace Apps > Apps list.
2. Locate and select the Trelson in the list (our Workspace application). It is located below Domain-installed apps.
3. Click Grant access. This is necessary to approve the changes we have made to our Workspace Application in order for the new app for Kiosk mode exams to work correctly.

6. Installation complete!

The app is now installed on students' managed Chromebooks and will function like the previous app for exams in Kiosk mode.

If you have any questions regarding this change or need assistance with the installation, contact support@trelson.com.

Students are now ready to open the app!

Troubleshooting during Installation

Question: I'm getting the message "Not kiosk: Failed challenge" when I open the new kiosk app to log in as a student. How do I proceed?

Answer: This error occurs because Trellson's address for "Verified mode" (for kiosk apps) isn't correctly configured on the Organizational Units (OUs) in the Workspace console where the students' devices are located. To fix this, follow "Step 2: Enable Verified Mode" again. Make sure to verify that the Service Account address is actually entered in the "Verified mode" field for the specific OUs where the student devices are located.

Question: I've just installed Trelson's new kiosk app, and when I try to log in as a student, I get the message: "Login failed. The browser or app may not be secure." What should I do?

Answer: This message can sometimes appear during the initial installation. This is because it might take a little while for the new settings in the admin console to fully synchronize. To resolve this, try completely closing the kiosk app and then reopening it. It should work correctly on the next login attempt.

Question: I've just intalled Trelson's new kiosk app, but when I open the kiosk app, I get the message "incorrect install method". What does that mean? 

Answer: Incorrect install metod means that you have missed to add the companion extensions. Make sure that you have followed step 4: "Configure app settings" correctly. 

If you've added the companion extension code and all setting have been configured, and still receive the same error message, a powerwash has helped in previous cases. 

Questions and Answers