Debunking 12 Android Enterprise myths
Have you ever heard statements like “Android just isn’t secure” or been asked whether BYOD is too risky for enterprise? These concerns, often based on outdated perceptions, can prevent businesses from fully realizing the benefits of Android Enterprise. So, let’s cut through the noise. Here we’ll address 12 common misconceptions and explore the realities of deploying and managing Android devices in today’s modern workplace. Myth 1: Is Android really less secure? Reality: Always-on security. Android offers proven, multi-layered, proactive security With a zero-trust approach to security, Android operates under the principle of "never trust, always verify." It continuously assesses the security posture of devices and applications, and grants access based on real-time risk assessments. Built-in security at every level includes hardware-level safeguards like verified boot and encryption, software-level protections such as application sandboxing, and proactive threat detection with Google Play Protect. The result is robust defense. Combined with granular control organizations maintain a high level of security while empowering employees with the flexibility of mobile work. Want to dive deeper? Enjoy a cup of tea while you explore our security paper. Myth 2: Android Enterprise is only suitable for large enterprises Reality: Designed for scalability, Android Enterprise can be effectively deployed by businesses of all sizes Android Enterprise offers a range of options to deploy and manage Android devices, so businesses of all sizes can choose the model that best suits their needs and budget. For smaller businesses, BYOD can significantly reduce upfront costs associated with purchasing and managing a fleet of company-owned devices. Plus, the Google Admin console provides a user-friendly interface, simplifying tasks like device provisioning and policy enforcement, making it easier for businesses with limited IT resources to manage their mobile workforce effectively. By offering a range of deployment options, simplified management tools, and cost-effective solutions, Android Enterprise empowers businesses of all sizes to leverage effective device management. Myth 3: BYOD is too risky for enterprise environments Reality: With the right approach, Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) can be a secure and cost-effective strategy Android Work Profile provides a self-contained profile on an Android device that isolates work apps and data from personal apps and data, enabling businesses to safely implement BYOD policies. This secure container safeguards sensitive company data through robust encryption and remote wipe capabilities, even if personal apps are compromised. Work Profile also empowers organizations with enhanced app management capabilities. Businesses can implement approved app lists, ensuring only necessary applications are used for work, without impacting personal app usage. Additionally, they can enforce restrictions on specific app functionalities within the work environment. With these advanced security and management features, Work Profile empowers organizations to securely embrace the flexibility of BYOD. For more detail explore this Work Profile Security on Company Owned Devices paper. Myth 4: Android Enterprise is too complex to implement and manage Reality: Android Enterprise simplifies device management with powerful tools designed for businesses Android Enterprise has significantly simplified management with features like zero-touch enrollment for easy device setup and streamlined policies for controlling work apps and data. Managed Google Play empowers IT administrators with granular control over app distribution and management, ensuring only approved applications are installed on company devices, including tailored company apps. By integrating with leading EMM providers to leverage these tools, businesses can easily customize devices to meet their specific needs, enforce security policies, and manage their mobile workforce efficiently. Myth 5: Android devices are more susceptible to malware Reality: All mobile devices can be targets for malware, but Android has implemented robust security measures to protect against threats Google Play Protect leverages machine learning to proactively detect and combat malware, phishing attacks, and ransomware. It scans apps both before and after installation, even monitoring them for suspicious behavior after download. This proactive approach, combined with regular security updates, provides a robust defense against malicious software, significantly reducing the risk of installing and running harmful apps on Android devices. See for yourself with our Transparency Report. It highlights just how rare downloading potentially harmful applications on an Enterprise device really is. Myth 6: BYOD makes it difficult to achieve a good work-life balance Reality: Android Work Profile allows employees to easily switch between work and personal profiles, enabling them to disconnect from work when they need to By separating work and personal data and apps, Work Profile helps employees maintain a clear boundary between work and personal life, reducing stress and enhancing well-being. Employees can seamlessly switch between the Work Profile, and their personal profile, enjoying a familiar device environment while empowered to toggle off work notifications and fully disconnect for a better work-life balance, increased productivity and employee wellbeing. Myth 7: Android Enterprise is not suitable for highly regulated industries Reality: Android Enterprise provides the robust security and compliance features necessary for highly regulated industries Highly regulated industries require robust mobility management solutions with exceptional flexibility and control. Android Enterprise delivers strong security, powerful device management, and innovative solutions to manage and deploy devices seamlessly across diverse use cases. Continuously evolving to address dynamic compliance requirements, Android 15 introduced enhanced security logging aligned with the latest NIAP regulations. Plus, the Android Management API empowers businesses with the agility to adapt policies and ensure compliance with developing industry regulations and security standards. Discover how Android Enterprise empowers financial services in our customer stories, or explore exactly how we comply with industry standards and Android’s certifications in our security paper. Myth 8: Android is fragmented and updates are slow Reality: Android ensures a smooth and consistent user experience alongside simple and robust management capabilities While Android's open nature has historically presented challenges in terms of device fragmentation and update consistency, this view is outdated. As an open-source platform, Android benefits from rigorous scrutiny by a diverse community, including developers, security researchers, and even government agencies. This constant feedback accelerates security advancements. Initiatives like Project Treble have revolutionized the update process by decoupling core Android components from device-specific software. This allows manufacturers to deliver the latest security patches and feature updates more quickly and efficiently. The Android Enterprise Recommended program prioritizes timely security updates and OS upgrades for participating devices, ensuring a more consistent and secure user experience. More widely, Google releases monthly security updates to the platform, the details of which can be found on the Android Security Bulletin. Recommended EMM partners provide essential tools for managing these device updates, ensuring timely patching to maintain a secure mobile environment. Myth 9: Android devices aren't premium Reality: The Android ecosystem boasts a wide range of devices, from budget-friendly options to high-end flagships that rival the best in the industry Premium Android devices offer cutting-edge features like powerful processors, high-resolution displays, and advanced camera features, and innovative designs for a premium user experience. To ensure a consistent and high-quality experience for businesses, the Android Enterprise Recommended program certifies devices and solutions that meet Google's strict enterprise requirements, giving businesses confidence in their chosen devices. Myth 10: The Play Store is limited Reality: The Google Play Store is a vast marketplace with millions of apps, including a wide range of enterprise-grade solutions. From productivity tools and communication apps to industry-specific solutions, the Play Store offers a diverse range of applications to meet the unique needs of any business. Plus, the Play Store empowers businesses to develop and distribute custom applications. By leveraging Android developer tools, businesses can create tailored solutions and securely distribute them to their employees through Managed Google Play. This effectively creates a custom app store while benefiting from the built-in security and robust infrastructure of Google Play Protect. Myth 11: Android Enterprise devices are separate to regular Android devices Reality: The hardware remains the same Android Enterprise is not a separate operating system. It's a suite of tools that enhances the core Android OS with enterprise-grade features and management capabilities. This means any Android device can leverage Android Enterprise, providing businesses with the flexibility and control to meet their specific mobility requirements while maintaining the familiar Android user experience. Myth 12: You can only use Android Enterprise with Google's products and services Reality: While Google offers a robust suite of productivity and collaboration tools, Android Enterprise is designed to be highly interoperable Android Enterprise is only supported on Play protect certified devices. These devices often come pre-installed with popular Google services like Chrome, Google Play Store, and Google Maps (GMS). However, this does not limit users to Google's ecosystem. Android Enterprise seamlessly integrates with a wide range of third-party enterprise applications and services, including those from Microsoft, Salesforce, and others. This flexibility empowers businesses to choose the best software solutions for their specific needs, regardless of their preferred technology stack. Were you surprised by any of these myths? Have you encountered similar challenges or misconceptions in your own experiences? Let us know in the comments below.
Android device management - Unable to enroll: DEVICE_MODE_QUARANTINED
Hello everyone, New to Google device management and hoping someone is able to help me out. I had tried to enroll various Android devices in COPE, Work Managed and Work Profile (BYOD) modes but each of them are failing at the "Registering profile" screen. It look like the Work Profile has been created, but does not appear to be functional and devices are not appearing in the Google admin console. Pertinent (I think) are of the logcat logs are showing: 10-09 18:06:39.752 22672 28291 I clouddpc: [PolicyLogHelper.java:logPolicies:103] Device mode: quarantined 10-09 18:06:39.752 22672 28291 I clouddpc: [PolicyLogHelper.java:logPolicies:105] Got policy. Size: 0 10-09 18:06:39.752 22672 28291 I clouddpc: [OverrideLayer.java:loadFromFile:98] No override for compliance_rules 10-09 18:06:39.752 22672 28291 I clouddpc: [EventLogManagerImpl.kt:logMessage:1641] Event logged: PolicyPulled details: [id=default, version=0, mode=DEVICE_MODE_QUARANTINED] metadata: [isNetworkConnected=true] 10-09 18:06:39.753 22672 28291 I clouddpc: [EventLogManagerImpl.kt:logMessage:1641] Event logged: PolicyPulled details: [currentPolicy=PolicyIdentifiers(policyName=default, policyVersion=0), flowId=f02e170ef5ae087b3d825321c3dbee57bb0cd4aa3b1bba061dd934da8cb7937b] metadata: [isNetworkConnected=true] 10-09 18:06:39.754 22672 28291 I clouddpc: [RestoreUtilImpl.kt:getRestoreIntent:66] Getting restore intent 10-09 18:06:39.756 22672 28291 E clouddpc: [PolicyUpdaterImpl.java:retryPullApplyAndExecuteCompliance:478] Policy update mitigation failed, 1 tries done, 0 tries left 10-09 18:06:39.756 22672 28291 E clouddpc: dbc: Device mode: DEVICE_MODE_QUARANTINED Looks like my devices are being quarantined? Not sure what this means... Is there some kind of allow-list that I need to populate? Appreciate any help you can offer!
Android Enterprise work profile does not support wearOS yet
Hi, We recently moved to android enterprise with work profile (using Intune) for all of our android users. And we just found out that with android enterprise with work profile does not support wearOS yet so that our users cannot add their corporate email account (O365) to the outlook app on their samsung watch or pixel watch. we tried to contact microsoft about this and microsoft said that this is not up to Microsoft but it is up to Google Android whether they would like to support wearOS for work profile. Can Google confirm if they would like to provide some support for work profile in the future for wearOS as well? I know that any development of newly feature in android system are fully confidential but it would be good for android end users to know if Google has a plan to support this in the future or not.
(COPE) Hide app in work profile
Hello, I have a small case I'd like to submit to the community for help please. A customer use Mobile Iron, and use Zero Touch to enroll our Android 14 products. In their DPC extras, they enabled the system apps and need to keep that way: "android.app.extra.PROVISIONING_LEAVE_ALL_SYSTEM_APPS_ENABLED":true, "android.app.extra.PROVISIONING_ADMIN_EXTRAS_BUNDLE":{ "workProfileEnabled": true, "quickStart":"true" } Now after the device is enrolled, the Work profile is filled with bunch of apps including unwanted ones like Netflix, Adobe, YT kids, ... From Mobile Iron, they want to hide/disable some apps, using "setApplicationHidden" but it doesn't work. At OEM side, we tested this API with the Test DPC and it works properly. My thinking was that as we are in COPE, and the apps that the customer wants to remove are from the Personal space, then this is not working as the MDM cannot interact with Personal space content. Does this make sense? Are there a way to hide the unwanted apps from the Work profile, despite having "leave all system apps" enabled from the ZT DPC extras? Anyone has any suggestions please? Thanks!
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.
GSF ID not generated after device enrollment on Android 15
Hi everyone, We’re facing an issue with devices running Android 15 — after successfully enrolling them in our Android Enterprise setup (Device Owner / Fully Managed mode), the Google Services Framework (GSF) ID is not being generated. This issue did not occur on Android 13 or 14; the GSF ID was available immediately after enrollment. However, on Android 15, the GSF ID remains empty even after waiting and rebooting. We’ve already tried: Factory reset and re-enrollment Checking Google Play Services version Ensuring the device is connected to the internet Waiting for Play Store sync Despite that, the GSF ID is still missing. Could anyone confirm if there’s a known change in Android 15 related to GSF ID generation, or if additional permissions/configuration are required for enterprise-enrolled devices to obtain it? Any guidance or workaround would be greatly appreciated.
Enhancing Android Enterprise OS Update Management
Hi, The way the Android API implements OS update management on Android Enterprise devices is not particularly useful for devices with user affinity. Are there any upcoming API changes for EMM solutions like Microsoft Intune? From my experience with the current API: AUTOMATIC – The OS update is installed as soon as it becomes available via OTA, which is not practical for real-time scenarios. WINDOWED – Similar to AUTOMATIC but with the limitation that OS updates can only be installed within a defined maintenance window. This means that if a user needs to update their device due to a software bug fixed in the latest OS version, they may not be able to do so immediately if the maintenance window is set outside working hours. Source: https://support.google.com/work/android/answer/13791272?hl=en#zippy=%2Cmanaging-system-updates-using-system-update-policies Suggested Improvements: Provide an option to control OS updates on BYOD (Work Profile only). I understand that when enrolling a device through Work Profile, only the work container can be managed via EMM. Google may need to reconsider this approach. It would be beneficial to have an approach similar to Apple’s, where EMM admins can manage OS updates (e.g., push specific updates, set deadlines, etc.) through DDM (Declarative Device Management - Source: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/deployment/depc30268577/web ), even on BYOD devices (Device Enrollment) — without requiring supervision like DO (Device Owner mode). I’m aware that Samsung Knox E-FOTA exists, but it is limited to Samsung devices. Expanding this capability to all Android devices (like Google Pixel devices) would greatly improve update management in enterprise environments. BR, Marco
