Android Enterprise Part 3 – Using Managed Google Play Store

21. december 2021
android enterprise

Introduction 

In the first blog we covered how to create an Android Enterprise account. In blog two we covered why devices must be linked Enterprise ID and how to link devices to an Android Enterprise. Now it’s time for the third and last blog: Android Enterprise Part 3 – Using Managed Google Play Store. 

In this blog I will cover the following: 

  • How to Approve Apps in Managed Google Play Store 
  • Create Apps in Console 
  • Link Apps to devices 
  • Play Store on devices 
  • Common issues 

How To Approve Apps in Managed Google Play Store 

After the Managed Play Store is created for your organization, you need to approve the apps that you want to use. Login on https://mdm.capaone.com/applications 

Click on Manage Applications 

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Search the Play Store for the wants you want to approve. In this example I search for “CapaInstaller” 

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Click Search. Result for “CapaInstaller” is shown 

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Click on the app you want to approve, in this example CapaInstaller Agent 

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Click on the app 

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Click Confirm 

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Return to the Applications list (click above the Play Store window) 

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The CapaInstaller Agent is now approved. To use it, it needs to be created as a device application.  

Create Apps in Console 

The apps you have approved in the CapaOne Portal can then be created as device apps- However; keep in mind it’s only a link to the app in Play Store and not an app like created with apk file.  

Play Store will install the app and keep it updated when newer versions arrive. 

Open CapaInstaller Console Configuration Management 

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Select Android section and Google Play Work 

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Click on Search 

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Click Search again  

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The list of approved applications will be shown, select CapaInstaller Agent 

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Type a name and click OK twice. 

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Link to app is now created and can be used. 

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Link the app to the device 

Add the app to buffer 

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Find the device in console and paste the app on the device 

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Shortly the app will be installed by Play Store on the device. 

Play Store on the device 

Only the approved apps will be shown in Play Store, I have approved some more apps in the CapaOne Portal: 

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Play Store on the device. These are the only apps the user can install from Play Store. 

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Common Issues 

Sometimes apps are not installed or do not update automatically. Keep in mind, when you link an app to a device, is only a link to an app. When the app is linked to the device, a request is sent to Play Store to install that app. It’s up to Play Store to install the app. Usually it’s done within a few minutes but some time it takes longer.  

Updating apps to newest can sometimes take a few days from the release to it’s installed. There are a lot of Play Store replica servers that needs to have that update and usually updates are installed during the night. 

Apps not installing or not being updated automatically, check, or try the following: 

  • Linked to Android Enterprise 
  • Service Account is present (open Play Store on device) 
  • Passcode on the device 
  • Is on WiFi connection 
  • Battery charged 
  • Play Store must be updated to latest version on the device 
  • Reboot the device