Internal App deployment for Android Mobile Device

[alextsa]

Hi all

I would like to deploy Internal App to the Android which is UEM managed, so I tried to add the APK in the Apps and Books,then assign to the users. But I found that the application cannot be installed. Then I checked the document if the device is using Work Profile, then we need to add the APK as private app in iFrame when adding public app. So may I know?

1. Besides using legacy mode, now all other enrollment mode even work managed or COPE are using work profile; that mean use managed google play store to manage the App deployment?

2. If yes for question 1, is that mean add private app is the only way to deploy Internal App to Android device?

Best regards

Alex Tsang

[MatthewSwenson]

For Work-Managed Android devices, you have one option, maybe two.

1. For *any* device, you can push apps through the Play Store.  Google will allow you to have a private Play Store front which only goes to your devices.  You can upload the apk there and push it as a "public" app on the AW/WS1 console.

2. For some devices supporting products (rugged Android, possibly others), you can use the Provisioning section under Devices to host and push apps internally.

[alextsa]

Hi Matthew

Thanks, and if the tenant is EMM configured, is that mean all Android device enrollment - MYOD, COPE or work managed need to use work profile to deploy application? So application must be deployed in play store as private app?

Actually, if this is the only way to deploy Android App, so may I know?

1. In what situation I can use “Add Internal App” in Apps & Books?

2. App warpping only support Internal app, but adding internal app in playstore is classified as public app, so how can I do app warpping for the android app for the work profile device?

Best regards

Alex Tsang

[AlexanderMuc]

Hi,

You should only use internal apps for WorkManaged Enrollments (if at all).

I can recommend this article from Arsen Bandurians Tech Blog:

Android 11 COPE and the end of Internal apps – Arsen Bandurian: Technical Blog

[MatthewSwenson]

alextsa​,

Sorry for the delay...

Unless you have rugged devices with manufacturer-specific functionality (such as Honeywell, Panasonic, Zebra), yes, you will have to deploy apps via the Play Store for EMM-configured tenants.

Internal apps are being deprecated (so far as I can tell) and are only usable for legacy enrollments.

I am not sure regarding app-wrapping, but I think I heard it was being deprecated as well.  It is not within the Google ToS.

That being said, if your app supports app config, you can set up the "public app" to transmit configuration parameters during installation.  These are available through the assignment wizard.  The app has to support App Config, though.