Getting started with Apex

01Setting up user profiles

Each user gets their own profile with a unique browser URL. They use that URL as their browser — it's the only page they can see until you approve others.

1. 1
   Open the consoleSign in at console.apexbrowser.app with your admin account.
2. 2
   Go to UsersTap the Users tile on the dashboard.
3. 3
   Add a userEnter their display name, choose a username and PIN, then tap Create Profile. Their unique browser URL is generated instantly.
4. 4
   Share their URLTap "Copy User Browser URL" next to their profile and set it as their Chrome homepage, or paste it into Kiosk Mode (see section 07).

02Installing the Chrome Extension

The Chrome Extension (v1.7.2) adds deeper enforcement — activity tracking, copy-paste detection, and site blocking — directly inside Chrome without needing Kiosk Mode.

1. 1
   Open Chrome on the user's deviceLog in as the user's account.
2. 2
   Go to the Chrome Web StoreSearch for Apex Browser or navigate directly to the extension page.
3. 3
   Click Add to ChromeThe extension installs in seconds. No restart needed.
4. 4
   Open the user's browser URLNavigate to their Apex browser URL. The extension activates automatically and links to their profile.

03Adding approved sites

Users can only visit sites on their approved list. You can add sites manually from the console, or approve them on the fly when a user requests access.

1. 1
   Open the Users panelTap the Users tile and select the user you want to manage.
2. 2
   Open their Allowed Sites listExpand their profile, then use the Approve for Specific User section in Site Catalogue.
3. 3
   Add a siteEnter the domain (e.g. khanacademy.org) and tap Add. The site is available to the user immediately — no refresh needed on their end.

A large set of common educational sites is pre-approved for every new user profile — including Khan Academy, Desmos, Wikipedia, Google Scholar, Britannica, and more.

04Responding to site requests

When a user tries to visit a site that isn't on their approved list, they can tap Request Access. You get notified and can approve or deny with one tap.

1. 1
   You receive a notificationA push notification appears on your device and an email is sent to your alert addresses. Both contain the user's name and the site they're requesting.
2. 2
   Open the Requests panelTap the notification or open the console and tap the Requests tile.
3. 3
   Approve or DenyTap ✓ Approve to add the site to their list, or ✕ Deny to dismiss the request. If approved, the site appears in the user's browser automatically — no refresh needed.

05Suspicious activity alerts

Apex watches for a specific pattern: a user copies text from a page, then immediately switches to another window. When this happens within 60 seconds, you get an instant alert.

The alert includes:

• User name — who triggered it
• Site — which domain they were on
• What was copied — a preview of the text (up to 120 characters)
• Timing — how many seconds between the copy and the window switch
• URL — the exact page they were on

All flags are logged in the Flags panel in your console. The dashboard tile shows a pulsing ! badge when there are unseen suspicious activity flags.

06Configuring alert emails

By default, alerts go to the email address you signed up with. You can add additional addresses — for example, a co-admin, a supervisor, or any other contact who should be notified.

1. 1
   Open SettingsTap the Settings tile on the dashboard.
2. 2
   Find Alert Notification EmailsScroll to the Alert Notification Emails section.
3. 3
   Add an addressType an email and tap Add. Repeat for each address. Each person receives all alerts independently.

07Kiosk Mode on Chromebook

Kiosk Mode locks Chrome to a single URL — the user's Apex browser URL. They can't open other tabs, access Chrome settings, or switch apps. It's the strongest enforcement option available on a Chromebook.

1. 1
   Sign into the Chromebook as the ownerYou need to be the device owner or Google Workspace admin to set this up.
2. 2
   Open Chrome SettingsGo to chrome://settings → On startup → Open a specific page.
3. 3
   Set the user's URL as the homepagePaste their Apex browser URL (copy it from the Users panel in your console).
4. 4
   Enable Kiosk ModeGo to chrome://flags → search kiosk → enable Kiosk Mode. Restart Chrome.
5. 5
   Lock the screen with a PINSet a PIN via Chromebook settings so the student can't exit without it.