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Can I turn my iPad into an in-office kiosk for forms and appointments? Which iPad should I use for the NexHealth app?

Learn how patients can check in for their appointments and complete forms from an iPad, along with hardware recommendations.

Updated this week

The NexHealth iOS app is available for the iPhone and iPad.

Overview

  • Open the App Store on your device.

  • Search NexHealth.

  • Select the app and tap Get.

  • Log in to your NexHealth account.

  • [Optional] Turn on notifications.

Download the iPad app

1. Open the App Store on your device.

2. Search NexHealth.

3. Select the app and tap Get.

4. Log in to your NexHealth account.

Once the app is downloaded, log in to your NexHealth account using your regular username and password.

5. Create a passcode.

Create a passcode which will be used to lock certain features of the iPad from patients if you decide to use your iPad for patient facing form filling.

  • Note: The NexHealth app is only available in the US and Canada for iOS.

Set up Kiosk mode

Enable patient self check-in with kiosk mode.

Make sure you are running the latest version of the app.

1. Open the app, and select Kiosk Mode.

You can find it in the bottom center of the iPad app.

2. Click on Launch Kiosk Mode.

3. Leave the iPad in an accessible place.

Leave the iPad on the counter or stand for patients to encounter as they arrive, or hand the iPad to the patient to check in.

Patient Checkin with Kiosk Mode

1. Patient clicks on Check in, then Check in their appointment.

Patient clicks on Check in and then selects their name from the list of the day's appointments.

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2. Patient verifies their identity.

Patient confirms their birthdate and clicks Check in.

The appointment is automatically marked as checked-in in NexHealth and in your health record system (for Denticon, Dentrix, Dentrix Enterprise, Eaglesoft, NextGen Office, and OpenDental).

3. Patient completes outstanding forms.

Patients are prompted to complete any outstanding forms, and given the option to complete them on the iPad or send them to their smartphone to complete in the waiting room.

iPad hardware guide for NexHealth iPad app

I'm buying a new iPad. Which one should I get?

If you're purchasing a new iPad, we always recommend the latest hardware. As of March 2026:

  • iPad Air M4 for $599

  • iPad (A16) 11th gen for $349

The iPad mini is also acceptable but doesn't provide as good a form-filling experience due to the smaller screen, and it is more expensive than the base model iPad.

The NexHealth app doesn't have significant hardware requirements, so there's no need to upgrade storage on the device or spring for the more expensive Pro model. However, if you want or need the additional power for other reasons, the iPad Pro is more than acceptable.

Can I save some money and buy an older iPad instead?

Yes, but usually it's a false economy. The money saved now gets spent later, when you have to purchase a replacement iPad a year sooner than you otherwise would.

Apple has refurbished hardware available, with the caveat above - the older the device, the sooner it will need to be replaced. We do not recommend purchasing used hardware from any third-party resellers, eBay, etc.

I already have an iPad. Will it work with NexHealth?

Most likely, yes - with some important caveats. The device must be running a supported version of iOS (see below). This is important to be able to receive security patches from Apple, as well as the latest NexHealth app updates from us. Older devices also tend to be more unstable and unreliable in general, leading to more crashes and a worse user experience.

All devices in this list will work with NexHealth. Older devices will need to be replaced sooner than newer ones. Devices marked "deprecated" will not likely function and should be replaced, devices marked as "Supported, but Advise against" will likely function, but should be replaced within the next 2 years.

Apple no longer provides security updates or supports iOS older than 17 and 18, so we should advise customers that their devices should be running iOS 17 or higher.

iPad Air

Release date

Support status

Notes

iPad Air 2

October 2014

Deprecated

Only supports iOS 15

iPad Air (3rd gen)

March 2019

Supported

Advise against

iPad Air (4th gen)

October 2020

Supported

Advise against

iPad Air M1 (5th gen)

March 2022

Supported

iPad Air M2 (6th gen)

May 2024

Supported

Recommended

iPad Air M3 (7th gen)

March 2025

Supported

Recommended

iPad Air M4 (8th gen)

March 2026

Supported

Recommended

iPad (regular)

Release date

Support status

Notes

iPad (5th gen)

March 2017

Deprecated

Only supports iOS 16

iPad (6th gen)

March 2018

Deprecated

Only supports iOS 17

iPad (7th gen)

September 2019

Deprecated

Only supports iOS 18

iPad (8th gen)

September 2020

Supported

Advise against

iPad (9th gen)

September 2021

Supported

Advise against

iPad (10th gen)

October 2022

Supported

Advise against

iPad (A16)

March 2025

Supported

Recommended

iPad Pro

Release date

Support status

Notes

iPad Pro 9.7" (A9X)
iPad Pro 12.9" (A9X)

November 2015 /
March 2016

Deprecated

Only supports iOS 16

iPad Pro 10.5" (A10X)
iPad Pro 12.9" (A10X)

June 2017

Deprecated

Only supports iOS 17

iPad Pro 11" (A12X)
iPad Pro 12.9" (A12X)

November 2018

Supported

Advise against

iPad Pro 11" (A12Z)
iPad Pro 12.9" (A12Z)

March 2020

Supported

Advise against

iPad Pro 11" (M1)
iPad Pro 12.9" (M1)

April 2021

Supported

iPad Pro 11" (M2)
iPad Pro 12.9" (M2)

October 2022

Supported

Recommended

iPad Pro 11" (M4)
iPad Pro 13" (M4)

May 2024

Supported

Recommended

iPad Pro 11" (M5)
iPad Pro 13" (M5)

October 2025

Supported

Recommended

iPad Mini

Release date

Support status

Notes

iPad Mini 4

September 2015

Deprecated

Only supports iOS 15

iPad Mini (5th gen)

March 2019

Supported

Advise against

iPad Mini (6th gen)

September 2021

Supported

Advise against

iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

October 2024

Supported

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