FYI - Chrome is dropping support for A8 and A9 in August 2025
138 will be the last version of Chrome that will support both A8 and A9 according to this recent announcement. https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/352616098/sunsetting-chrome-support-for-android-8-0-oreo-and-android-9-0-pie?hl=en There are very small populations of these devices left in the wild but I personally still support quite a number of them. The entire Atlas family from Zebra including the TC51, MC3300, and VC80x devices all max out on A8 with no higher upgrades available. This likely will lead to forced upgrades to those devices, especially given how many modern apps are hybrid web apps dependent on the WebView and/or Chrome (Chrome is the System WebView implementation on A8).
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
Pixel 8 USB C to HDMI in order to allow your phone to act like a chromebox
The ultimate Google Apple Killer! The Google Pixel 8 has USB C port that allows USB to HDMI in the same way my chromebook does. However it is disabled currently in the android OS. Here is what I think you should do with it. I think you should allow the port to be plugged into a monitor or better yet a hub like the one linked below that I currently use for my chromebook. The great part is I have a phone when I need a phone and if I sit down at a desk I plug it in and It will take all of my open Chrome browsers and send it to my monitors while connecting into my mouse and keyboard. Here are the advantages I see for this: Great phone when you need a phone Portable chromebox that is also my phone and doesn't require me to carry another device I realize you have a small portable chromebook but it is a seperate device that is useless unless it is plugged in unlike your phone. I also realize you have Chrome Flex but the terminals Egan has doesn't support it. Add to this Cameyo and I will be able to just carry a phone around and plug into any dock we have at our office and work on chrome native apps AND windows apps. And then can unplug slip it into my pocket and be on my way! We are a hybrid company and this would allow us to just buy a cheap dock and some monitors for everyone's home and office. And allow us to fully leverage chrome Having a chromebox/Phone device is FAR superior to Samsung Dex which just gave you a larger screen for you phone which is silly and not very useful. Apple doesn't have anything as nice as the ecosystem of chrome and cameyo. Who would want to buy and Apple phone only device when you can buy a Pixel phone/chromebox and never need to carry a laptop bag and always be able to access more productivity. Here is the USB-C Dock we buy: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerExpand-Adapter-Delivery-Ethernet/dp/B0874M3KW4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3KP5B5U0B1RWI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L6zs2y-UsYrJVQykqGeJE9AKJSTS1DpxxIco44-szbVtML69IYlJoePF6aq9JMQ85rc5FAk2kEQX71554_P0XLnaKR24LLw0k1b4rQVcP0YbGlCjeADG6RXHknA5o2L_0G9X9mMtXKZLmEYpP0BsIoAoIos-B4UuWYwZXvZt_b4j1efv7e1b4JKCA6rrQaOvGy7M0rxKlA-t1jESDnxs1vu7Rs_24W6QUIRL_FTIf64.S756NXkTiJ2MpH974d5c0j7vwmLCb6SN7OwCYH5M6I0&dib_tag=se&keywords=dock&qid=1718295253&sprefix=dock%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-4
Android work and personal profile on a company owned device
Hello! My apologies ahead of time if this post isn't in the correct spot. Let me start by saying that I love Android, and I'm so thankful for the community here. Situation: I work at an employer who says that they are totally okay with me using a company-owned device as my personal phone, as well. They have set up a personal and work profile on the company-owned device. My question... I saw this webpage here... https://support.google.com/work/android/answer/7502354?sjid=14497149945405543837-NC#zippy=%2Cmy-organization-owns-my-device Based on this article, am I understanding this correctly? ...That somehow - even on a company-owned device - the personal profile apps are not monitored? Just seems too good to be true given that it's a company-owned device. Thank you for any clarity you can provide here. I'm not super worried, but I just don't know that I feel comfortable with my employer having full access to my password manager, my whole album of family photos, my texts, etc. Thank you again for your time.
Request for Android Community: Advice and Help on Playing Pre-Recorded Voice on Calls
To the Esteemed Android Developer Community, I am seeking your expert advice to understand whether my task is feasible on the Android platform. I aim to implement the following functionality: Task Description: Objective: I want to create an Android app that plays a pre-recorded voice message during a phone call. The app will: Automatically answer an incoming call when it is ON. Play a pre-recorded audio file stored on the user's phone (recorded by the user). Audio Content: “I am busy right now, call back after some time.” Disconnect the call after playing the message. Usage Scenario: This feature will be used only when the app is ON. It is intended for times when the user is busy and wants to inform the caller without manually attending the call. Key Requirements: Detect and answer incoming calls automatically. Play the recorded voice message to the caller. Ensure the caller hears the message clearly on their end. Disconnect the call programmatically after the message is played. Questions for the Community: Is this Task Feasible? Can the Android platform route a pre-recorded voice file to the call audio stream (STREAM_VOICE_CALL) so the caller can hear it? Are there technical or carrier-level restrictions that could prevent this functionality? Android APIs or Services: Are there specific APIs, such as TelecomManager, CallScreeningService, or AudioManager, that can handle this requirement effectively? Privacy and Legal Concerns: Are there any privacy or legal considerations (e.g., notifying the caller) that I should be aware of when implementing this feature? Compatibility Across Devices: How can I ensure compatibility across different Android devices and versions (API 26 and above)? Additional Information: Voice File: The pre-recorded message is stored locally on the user’s phone in a secure folder. App Activation: The functionality will work only when the app is manually turned ON by the user. Intent: This is a personal productivity tool to handle calls during busy periods. Help Needed: Advice: Can you confirm whether this task is achievable on the Android platform with existing APIs and hardware? Are there specific approaches or best practices to consider for implementing this? Code Implementation: I am looking to hire an experienced Android developer who can: Write fully working code to achieve this task. Ensure the solution is robust, privacy-compliant, and compatible across devices. I deeply appreciate the Android community's expertise and guidance. Your input will help me determine the feasibility and approach for this project. If you have any suggestions, insights, or are interested in developing this, please reply to this request.[New Blog Post] How Android Enterprise helps businesses prepare for the next generation of the workforce
As the growing Gen Z workforce reshapes the workplace, it's crucial for IT leaders to understand their unique priorities. We surveyed 1,000 Gen Z employees in the U.S. and UK to understand their technology and workplace preferences. The results? Gen Z values productivity, privacy, and work-life balance—making AI-driven tools and flexible work options essential for the future of work. Check out our blog post for the top 5 takeaways to empower Gen Z employees and boost workplace productivity with Android Enterprise.
SIM Management on Android 14
Good morning, I'm opening this post because I would like to know more about SIM management on WPCOD devices in Android 14. According to Jason Bayton (https://bayton.org/blog/2023/04/android-enterprise-in-android-14/) and feedback I received from Samsung support, this feature expected to be implemented in Android Enterprise for Android 14 release. I have several customers who have contacted me regarding the management of calls and SMS in order to assign a SIM card to a profile (Professional or Personal) and receive calls and SMS only on the assigned profile. I have an Android 14 device (Samsung Galaxy A53), which I enrolled on Knox Manage in WPCOD, I looked on the Android Enterprise policy to check if there was a setting to perhaps activate the configuration of SIM management or see assigning the location of a SIM to a profile on a dual SIM device but I found nothing. I added two SIM cards to my device but I don't get a pop-up asking me to assign a SIM card to the personal or work profile. I only get the pop-up asking me to indicate which SIM is preferred for calls and SMS. I then performed the following tests: - I created a personal contact in the Contacts app in the personal profile and a business contact in the work profile. - I then tested with another colleague the calls and SMS and the call history as well as received SMS only appear in the personal profile which is completely normal for me because the personal profile is administrator of the device. Could you confirm that SIM management has been implemented on Android 14? because I don't see this information in "what's new for Android Enterprise in Android 14" (https://developer.android.com/work/versions/android-14) If SIM management is well integrated into Android Enterprise for Android 14, should we wait for EMM to implement the API to be able to configure it through a policy?
