Android Device Setup

HipDeck runs on a wide range of Android devices, including phones, tablets, and dedicated media players. This guide walks you through every step — from installing the app to locking the device down for reliable, unattended digital signage operation.

Supported Android Versions

HipDeck requires Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later. Most modern Android devices ship with a compatible version, but it is worth confirming before purchasing hardware for a deployment.

Supported Android versions include:

• Android 7.0 (Nougat) — minimum supported version
• Android 8.x (Oreo)
• Android 9 (Pie)
• Android 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14

For best performance and security, we recommend running Android 10 or later. Devices running Android 6 or below are not supported and will not be able to install or run HipDeck.

Installing HipDeck

HipDeck can be installed on Android devices in two ways: directly from the Google Play Store, or by sideloading an APK file. Choose the method that best suits your deployment environment.

Option 1: Install from the Google Play Store

This is the recommended installation method for most users. It ensures you always receive automatic updates and that the app is verified by Google.

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Search for "HipDeck" in the search bar.
3. Tap Install and wait for the download to complete.
4. Once installed, tap Open to launch HipDeck.

Option 2: Side load via APK (coming soon)

Side loading is useful for devices without Google Play Store access, such as Amazon Fire tablets, enterprise-managed devices, or custom AOSP builds. You will need the HipDeck APK file, which can be obtained from your HipDeck account portal.

1. On the device, go to Settings > Security (or Privacy on some devices).
2. Enable Install unknown apps or Allow installation from unknown sources.
3. Transfer the HipDeck APK to the device via USB, email, or a file-sharing service.
4. Open a file manager app, locate the APK file, and tap it to begin installation.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Signing In and Pairing Your Screen

Once HipDeck is installed, you need to sign in and pair the device with your screen in the HipDeck dashboard.

1. Launch HipDeck on the device. A pairing code will be displayed on screen.
2. Log in to your HipDeck account at app.hipdeck.com from a computer or another device.
3. Navigate to Screens > Add Screen and enter the pairing code shown on the device.
4. Give the screen a name and assign it to a location or group if applicable.
5. Click Pair. The device will confirm the connection and begin loading your assigned content.

If the pairing code expires before you complete the process, simply restart the HipDeck app on the device to generate a new code.

Enabling Developer Options to Keep the Screen On

Android's Developer Options include a "Stay awake" setting that prevents the screen from turning off while the device is plugged in. This is essential for digital signage displays.

Unlocking Developer Options

1. Open Settings and navigate to About Phone (or About Device).
2. Locate Build Number and tap it seven times in quick succession.
3. You will see a message confirming that Developer Options have been enabled.

Enabling Stay Awake

1. Go back to the main Settings menu. Developer Options will now appear near the bottom.
2. Open Developer Options and scroll to find Stay awake.
3. Toggle Stay awake on. The screen will now remain on whenever the device is connected to a charger.

Disabling Sleep and Screensaver

In addition to enabling Stay awake, you should configure the display timeout and screensaver settings to prevent interruptions to your signage content.

Disabling Screen Timeout

1. Go to Settings > Display.
2. Tap Screen timeout (also called Sleep or Display timeout on some devices).
3. Select the longest available option, or Never if your device supports it.

Disabling the Screensaver (Daydream)

1. Go to Settings > Display > Screen saver (called Daydream on older Android versions).
2. Toggle the screensaver off, or set it to None.

On some manufacturer skins (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, etc.), these settings may be located under a different menu path. Refer to your device's documentation if you cannot locate them.

Setting HipDeck as the Launcher for Kiosk Mode

For a true kiosk experience, you can set HipDeck as the default home launcher. This means HipDeck will launch automatically on boot and users will not be able to navigate away to the Android home screen.

Setting the Default Home App

1. Go to Settings > Apps (or Application Manager).
2. Tap Default Apps (or tap the three-dot menu and select Default Apps).
3. Select Home App (or Launcher App).
4. Choose HipDeck from the list of available launchers.

After setting HipDeck as the launcher, pressing the Home button will return directly to HipDeck rather than the standard Android home screen. To exit kiosk mode, you will need to change the default launcher back through Settings.

Auto-Launch on Boot

When HipDeck is set as the default launcher, it will automatically start when the device powers on. No additional configuration is required for auto-launch behavior. If your device has a "Boot completed" or "Auto-start" permission setting, ensure HipDeck is granted that permission.

Recommended Device Settings for 24/7 Operation

Running a device continuously around the clock requires careful configuration to prevent common failure points such as automatic updates, low storage, or unexpected reboots. Apply the following settings to maximize uptime and reliability.

Power and Charging

• Keep the device permanently plugged in to a reliable power source.
• Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or surge protector to guard against power fluctuations.
• If your device supports battery charge limits, cap charging at 80% to extend battery lifespan over time.

Network and Connectivity

• Connect via Ethernet using a USB-C or Micro-USB to Ethernet adapter where possible for a more stable connection than Wi-Fi.
• If using Wi-Fi, disable Wi-Fi sleep: go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep and select Always.
• Assign a static IP address or reserve a DHCP lease for the device on your router to prevent IP changes.

System Updates and Notifications

• Disable automatic system updates or schedule them for off-hours to prevent unexpected reboots during operating hours.
• Turn off all notifications: go to Settings > Notifications and disable notifications for all apps, or enable Do Not Disturb mode permanently.
• Disable Google Play Store auto-updates for HipDeck if you prefer to control when updates are applied.

Storage and Performance

• Ensure at least 2 GB of free internal storage is available at all times for content caching.
• Uninstall or disable unused apps to free up RAM and reduce background processes.
• Disable Google Assistant and other voice-activated services that may interrupt playback.

Security and Remote Access

• Set a PIN or password lock so that only authorized personnel can access device settings.
• Enable Android's built-in remote management or enroll the device in an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution for remote monitoring and control.
• Consider enabling remote ADB (Android Debug Bridge) access over the network for advanced troubleshooting without physical access to the device.

With these settings in place, your Android device should run HipDeck reliably around the clock with minimal intervention. For further assistance, refer to the Troubleshooting guide or contact HipDeck support.