Need Help with QR Enrollment for Multiple Devices in Educational Environment – Is External MDM Required?
Hi everyone, I'm managing a large number of Android tablets in an educational environment. I'm trying to enroll the devices using Android Enterprise with QR code enrollment, but I'm having trouble getting the QR method to appear. So far, only Zero-Touch shows as an option, but most of our devices were not purchased through Zero-Touch resellers, so we can't use that method. My main question is: Is it strictly necessary to use an external MDM (like Miradore, Intune, etc.) to generate the QR code, or is there a way to create and use it directly from the Google Admin console or natively through Android Enterprise? We want to deploy the tablets efficiently and avoid entering accounts manually. Ideally, each device would automatically enroll with our managed Google Play account by scanning a QR code after a factory reset. This is especially important in a school context, where we have many students and limited time for configuration. We are already registered in Google Workspace, and the tablets are in a dedicated organizational unit for students. The admin account is managed, and we are using the Android Enterprise platform linked to our domain. For reference, here are two YouTube videos showing the configuration steps I followed (which reflect our current setup): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI-C_y1u8jE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h__pvfp559Q Any advice or clarification would be greatly appreciated. Especially if there’s a native way to enable QR enrollment without needing a full external MDM platform. Thanks in advance!
Managed Google Play API Error
We manage our mobile device through Intune; we also manage multiple tenants. I didn't know when I did this, but I made the mistake of signing into a new tenant with our Managed Google Play account that we use for our main tenant. Still, unaware of my error, I decided to disconnect the Managed Google Play account from the new tenant and create a new Google Play account for them. The new tenant works fine. I'm able to enroll Android devices and manage apps. However, in our main tenant, under Tenant Administration | Tenant Status for Managed Google Play, it shows a warning: Management Service Error. If I try to go to Android Apps to add an app, I get the following message: "It looks like your tenant has been unbound via the Google Play console. To browse Managed Google Play, your Intune account needs to be connected to your Android Enterprise account." But, in Devices | Android | Android Enrollment | Managed Google Play, it shows the account as Setup (with the green check). I'm also unable to create a new Corporate-Owned, Fully-Managed profile. I get an error. I reached out to Microsoft and they say this is a Google issue. I've tried to find ways to contact Google without success. So, we're kind of stuck in the mud. Is there a way to fix this?Managed Google Play Collections
The Managed Play Store and the Google Play iFrame play a major role in Android Enterprise Management and the Collections are important for managing and displaying apps in the Managed Store. Basically, the collections work well, but I also see room for improvement there. These would not only be useful for admins, but also for users. But first a step back: There are two different layouts: Basic and Custom. A collection (or ‘cluster’) can have up to 100 apps. Basic is a single collection Custom allows up to 30 collections Easier sorting in the iFrame The apps are sorted in the iFrame using arrows next to the app icons. Especially with large collections, it becomes a task of patience when an app has to be sorted to the back. A drag & drop feature would make customisation much more convenient. Backup / restore of collections A restore function for collections was asked for in another topic. In addition to ‘edit’, ‘delete’ and ‘duplicate’, “export” and ‘import’ would also be useful in the iFrame. (see above screenshot) Collections could be backed up and restored in this way. Be it to have only one backup, to configure a collection in a test environment exactly as in the production environment or to design a collection externally with tools and then upload it. (e.g. manual customisation of the json data of a backup) More variation for collections in the custom layout In the ‘Custom’ store layout, the collections are displayed one below the other. The mixture of vertical (between the collections) and horizontal (within the collection) scrolling can become somewhat confusing. In addition, you cannot recognise at first glance whether it is a very large or rather small collection, as usually only 3 apps are displayed. As long as you don't have many apps, the basic store layout is often much cleaner. It could therefore be useful to define a number of (app) lines per collection that are displayed in the MGP. (with 1 line as default) Or an option where a collection is displayed completely in MGP instead of scrolling sideways. There are different types of collections in the normal Google Play Store. It would be useful to be able to choose between the different variants. (See ‘Popular apps’ / Business tools") Do you have any other ideas and suggestions for MGP Collections? 😃Using paid apps in corporate environments
Hi all, I'm just wandering about using paid apps on work devices and wanted to know how others here are working with paid apps. Another brand I shall not name makes it possible to purchase apps via a portal and then deploy those apps to your end users. But Google / Managed Google play does not offer such a solution. It makes it difficult to deploy paid apps. While most apps offer license options outside the playstore, not all of them do. How do people on the community deploy paid apps that need to be purchased through the playstore? As said before, just wandering what solutions people use to better advise our customers in such cases. I don't get this question a lot, but every few weeks it pops up somewhere (mainly because we also provide services on the dark side hardware). I'm aware that this has been mentioned a few years ago on this community, but just seeing if this have evolved. Distributing Paid Apps | Android Enterprise Customer Community - 653 Thanks! Michel
MDM configuration became lost
A few years ago we added an MDM configuration to our app, according to the straightforward guide Setup managed configuration Previous month we released a new 15.0.0 version of our app, IQ SmartApp Enterprise Besides other changes, in this release we removed one option from the MDM configuration XML, a deprecated boolean parameter. Indeed the XML validity wasn't broken, no related changes in the app Manifest or so on. However our customers started to complain, that app lost the ability to configure MDM parameters. Also, when adding the app to Approved list on MDM Solutions (we checked on HMD and TinyMDM), in the app details was lost a badge "Tis app offers managed configuration". If download AAB and/or APK from Google Play Console and unpack them, or open them in Android Studio, the required Android Manifest parameter "android.content.APP_RESTRICTIONS" is present and pints to MDM XML config file which is also present in the AAB or APK. If check the APK, taken from Google Play Console, locally with TestDPC app, the managed configuration is also present. Can you please help to understand, what's going on? As for me, removing one of the MDM parameter from the managed configuration config shouldn't be a reason of disappearing the whole managed configuration. Which is actually present in the AAB or APK builds.
"This item isn't available in your country" showing on isolated apps on isolated devices.
All of a sudden I'm having issues installing apps through Managed Play on isolated devices. When navigating to the app directly I can see "This item isn't available in your country." The devices are in the US. Location services confirms this, the external device IP is also US based as well. I have cleared cache and app storage of Google Play and Google Play Services. I have upgraded Google Play Services. The devices are fully managed with manage service accounts. I have reset the account assigned to the device. I have tried to set the Country manually in Google Play setting but am unable to do so. It does not show a current country. I also see an option for "Switch to the United States Play Store" but tapping on it doesn't do anything. Any ideas or suggestions here?
Play Protect Blocking Custom DPC Apps — How to Get Approval or Alternatives?
Hi everyone, I'm a developer who helps enterprises build custom DPC (Device Policy Controller) Reference Documentation apps to manage Android devices based on their unique requirements. Recently, Play Protect has started blocking the installation of custom DPC apps, even when these apps are signed and used internally. The warning claims the app may pose a risk due to access to sensitive data - even though it's strictly for enterprise use. To make things more difficult: Google is no longer accepting registration of custom DPC apps with Android Enterprise, which limits official distribution and management options. Android Management APIs don’t support all use cases, and also have quote limit. I’ve applied twice to join the Android Enterprise portal to build a SaaS-based device management platform, but both requests were rejected without a clear reason. My questions for the community: Is there any official way to get a custom DPC app approved or whitelisted by Play Protect? Are there any alternative ways to manage Android devices at scale (outside of AMAPI or legacy EMM)? How can new developers or startups gain access to Android Enterprise features when onboarding is currently restricted? Any help, direction, or shared experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kulwinder
Can't add a private app to devices
I'm being very confused when trying to add a private app into the Stix EMM, and I'm not sure where the problem lies, so I'm asking here! I successfully loaded it in: But when I then click on that and then try to click Select app... nothing happens. Nothing on screen, nothing in the dev console, no network traffic... Nothing. And so I can't add this app to my devices. And I'm entirely lost as to what's going on. Is this a Stix thing? Or an Android Enterprise thing?The Ongoing Evolution of Android: Where Do We Go From Here?
Android has come a long way since its early days, evolving from a basic smartphone OS to a powerful platform that powers billions of devices worldwide. With every major release, we see improvements in performance, security, design, and user experience. From Android’s open-source flexibility to the introduction of Material You and AI-driven features, the platform keeps pushing the boundaries. One of the strengths of Android has always been its customization. Users love being able to tweak their device—from launchers and widgets to ROMs and root access. However, as Android becomes more polished and secure, some of these freedoms have become more limited. Is the trade-off worth it? Another topic worth exploring is Android’s fragmentation. While it gives manufacturers flexibility, it also creates inconsistency in updates and app performance. With initiatives like Project Treble and Android One, Google has made strides, but are we seeing real results? And now with AI integration, foldable phones, and powerful chipsets becoming the norm, it’s exciting to think about where Android is headed next. What are your thoughts on the current state of Android? Are you satisfied with the direction it’s going, or do you miss the old Android freedom? What improvements would you like to see in the next version? Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts!
