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LAKSHAYNE
LAKSHAYNE
Level 1.6: Donut
September 19, 2026
Solved

Play Protect blocks Google's Test DPC 9.0.12 during QR provisioning: "App blocked to protect your device"

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Since 19 Sep 2026, QR (6-tap) provisioning of Test DPC on a factory-reset device fails. After "Getting ready for work", Play Protect shows "App blocked to protect your device - Test DPC" with only an OK button, so provisioning cannot continue. The same flow worked before that date and nothing changed on our side.

Setup: provisioning QR with PROVISIONING_DEVICE_ADMIN_COMPONENT_NAME com.afwsamples.testdpc/com.afwsamples.testdpc.DeviceAdminReceiver, an HTTPS download location for the APK, and the signature checksum.

APK: com.afwsamples.testdpc 9.0.12 (versionCode 9012), unmodified, signed by CN=testdpc, O=Google Inc. Signing certificate SHA-256: 8090f6630b4e8962479123249087cb4658feaae36a1b57dbeafd74d109b333dc. File SHA-256: aad38c1f608b1c7289405c4e866977f5d231502643ce2e2401a7c305808f9c00 (on VirusTotal, 1/67, a generic AdLibrary heuristic).

I found the approved-DPC allowlist page (https://support.google.com/work/android/answer/16694822) and other threads about custom DPCs being blocked, but nothing about Test DPC itself.

What I have done: opened https://github.com/googlesamples/android-testdpc/issues/283 and submitted a Play Protect appeal for com.afwsamples.testdpc.

Questions: 1) Is Test DPC on the approved-DPC allowlist? 2) Is anyone else seeing this with Test DPC, and did a newer build or a different provisioning method fix it? 3) Is there a supported way to provision Test DPC on test devices now?

      Lizzie
      LizzieAnswer
      Community Manager
      September 30, 2026

      Hey everyone,

       

      Thanks for the @ mention here and sorry for the delay. Speaking with a colleague internally, the recommendation here is to use the latest build from the Play store, or at https://testdpc-latest-apk.appspot.com. This shouldn’t cause any problems now.

      To add, this same information has also been shared with you via your gitbub question, ​@LAKSHAYNE. I hope this helps. 

       

      Thanks,

      Lizzie

      Welcome to the Community everyone!
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      7 replies

      jasonbayton
      jasonbayton
      Level: 4.1: Jelly bean
      September 19, 2026

      I believe this is intentional as the app is supposed to be a reference only, but only Google can confirm. ​@Lizzie 

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      LAKSHAYNE
      LAKSHAYNEAuthor
      Level 1.6: Donut
      September 23, 2026

      Thanks @jasonbayton. If it is intentional, could @Lizzie or anyone from the Android Enterprise team confirm whether Test DPC is deliberately excluded from the approved-DPC allowlist, and what the supported way is to provision it on test devices now? A second person has reproduced this on Test DPC 9.0.13 (https://github.com/googlesamples/android-testdpc/issues/283), and after the Play Protect dialog setup ends on a generic "Something went wrong, contact your IT admin" screen. Any update is appreciated.

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      HeadwindMDM
      HeadwindMDM
      Level 2.0: Eclair
      October 2, 2026

      I guess the problem is in signature keys - Test DPC is whitelisted, but only a prebuilt and signed APK. For development and testing purposes, `dpm set-device-owner` should still work.

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      Moombas
      Moombas
      Level 4.4: KitKat
      September 24, 2026

      Just a guess but i might be mistaken. I see the mentioning of “afw” in the app name. 
      Does the app maybe use afw enrollment (maybe silently)?

      I ask because afw#XXX enrollment was disabled as far as i know of which could cause also this app then stop working and explain the behavior.

      As said, just an idea and nothing verified.

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      Android Enterprise Expert
      Kirk
      KirkCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      September 24, 2026

      Thanks for reporting this!

      Lizzie and other members of the team are currently at the Enterprise Summit so there might be a bit of a delay in getting back to you on this but it has been forwarded for investigation internally.

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        gareth
        garethGoogle Team
        Google Team
        September 30, 2026

        Use the latest build from the Play store, or at https://testdpc-latest-apk.appspot.com - there should be no problems with that.

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          Lizzie
          LizzieCommunity ManagerAnswer
          Community Manager
          September 30, 2026

          Hey everyone,

           

          Thanks for the @ mention here and sorry for the delay. Speaking with a colleague internally, the recommendation here is to use the latest build from the Play store, or at https://testdpc-latest-apk.appspot.com. This shouldn’t cause any problems now.

          To add, this same information has also been shared with you via your gitbub question, ​@LAKSHAYNE. I hope this helps. 

           

          Thanks,

          Lizzie

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          Welcome to the Community everyone!
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