Summary
Create an Experience first, then create a Campaign that uses that experience.
Prepare a Location where the device will live.
Generate a provisioning QR code from the dashboard.
Factory reset the device and scan the QR during Android setup using the hidden QR scanner.
The device enrolls, locks to kiosk mode, and shows your campaign.
Before you start, make sure you have
Merlin Cloud account with access to Touch points and Content, refer to Organisation and team management for additional information.
One or more Experiences created and saved, refer to Campaigns Model for additional information.
A Campaign that uses your experience, please refer to Create a campaign: from draft to publish .
A Location for the device, please refer to creating a new store location.
Android tablet or player with power adapter and mount.
Stable network: Wi‑Fi or Ethernet with internet access.
A second screen to show the provisioning QR code or a printer to print it.
Tip: Non‑technical teams can succeed by following the checklists below. Share this article before going onsite.
Step 1: Create or verify an Experience
A campaign cannot be created without an experience. The experience defines what the kiosk renders.
Go to Content › Experiences.
Select New and build your experience. Examples: web page, playlist, product board, booking flow.
Save and name the experience clearly.
If you already have a suitable experience, confirm it opens and plays correctly.
Step 2: Create a Campaign that uses the Experience
Go to Campaigns and select Create Campaign.
Enter a name and choose the Experience you created above.
Review basic settings and save the campaign.
Blocker explained: If you try to create a campaign without an experience, creation is blocked. Fix by completing Step 1 first.
Step 3: Add or confirm the Location
Go to Locations and add the shop, office, or zone where the kiosk will be installed.
Add helpful metadata such as address and floor so devices are easy to find later.
Step 4: Generate the provisioning QR code
Open Touchpoints › Kiosks.
Create a new kiosk device or open an existing placeholder.
Choose the Location and the Campaign you want to display on this device.
Select Get QR code. You can print the QR as SVG or keep it on your laptop screen for scanning.
The QR code is a secure enrolment payload that tells the device which tenant to join and which campaign to play.
Step 5: Prepare the Android device
A clean setup prevents strange behavior and ensures the provisioning QR opens the correct workflow.
Factory reset the device:
Settings: System › Reset options › Erase all data.
Wait for the device to reboot to the Hello or Hi there screen.
Connect power and keep the device charging during setup.
Place the device near a strong Wi‑Fi signal or use Ethernet if supported.
Important: Scanning the provisioning QR with the normal Camera app will not work. Use the hidden setup scanner in Step 6.
Step 6: Provision by scanning the QR during Android setup
Use Android’s setup wizard scanner, not the regular camera.
On the Connect to Wi‑Fi screen, tap the screen six times to open the hidden QR code setup scanner.
On some models: select the Language picker, then long‑press the space bar or press Volume Up + Volume Down to reveal the QR scanner.
Point the device at the provisioning QR code from Step 4.
Accept any prompts to trust the source and continue. The device will download the kiosk client and enrol.
When enrolment finishes, the device will lock to kiosk mode and load your campaign.
If a generic error page appears after scanning a QR with the Camera app, reset the device and scan again using the setup wizard scanner above.
Step 7: Verify in the dashboard
Return to the Merlin Cloud dashboard.
Open Touch points › Kiosks and select the device.
Confirm status: Online, last heartbeat is recent, and the assigned Campaign and Location are correct.
If needed, reassign a different campaign and watch the device update.
Go‑live checklist
Experience created and tested.
Campaign created and linked to the experience.
Location created and selected.
Provisioning QR generated and handy onsite.
Device factory reset completed.
QR scanned from the Android setup wizard, not the Camera app.
Device shows Online in Kiosks with content playing.
Mount is secure and power is always‑on.
Troubleshooting
Blocked at campaign creation
Cause: No experience available.
Fix: Create an experience first, then return to Campaigns.
Scanning QR shows a web error page
Cause: The QR was scanned with the normal Camera app.
Fix: Factory reset the device and scan the QR from the Android setup wizard’s hidden QR scanner.
Provisioning failed or stuck on downloading
Check Wi‑Fi quality or try Ethernet.
Reboot and rescan the QR from the setup wizard.
Ensure date and time are correct or auto‑time is enabled.
Content plays but device sleeps or rotates
Set screen timeout to Never and enable Keep screen on.
Lock rotation in device settings to the required orientation.
Nothing appears after enrolment
Confirm the device is assigned to the correct campaign and location.
Open the device page in Kiosks and push a refresh.
Verify the experience loads in a standard browser if it relies on web content.
I need to change devices quickly
Generate a new QR and provision a spare unit. Assign the same campaign and location.
Tips for reliable installs
Use PoE or a hidden always‑on outlet to prevent accidental power loss.
Print the QR as SVG for crisp signage during provisioning.
Label mounts and chargers by location to simplify swaps.
Keep a spare device pre‑provisioned for critical sites.
Appendix: Why factory reset and hidden QR matter
Android treats the provisioning QR as a first‑boot enrolment flow.
Scanning the code after the device is already set up routes to a generic URL that is not the enrolment handler.
Resetting puts the device back into the setup wizard where the hidden QR scanner launches the correct enrolment pathway.