In today’s digital landscape, mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives. With the rise of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and company-owned, personally-enabled (COPE) policies, managing mobile devices has become a significant challenge for IT administrators. This is where managed Google Play comes into play. Managed Google Play is a platform that enables IT administrators to manage and distribute apps to Android devices in their organization. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to set up managed Google Play and unlock its power to streamline your mobile device management.
What is Managed Google Play?
Before we dive into the setup process, let’s take a brief look at what managed Google Play is and its benefits. Managed Google Play is a feature of the Google Play Store that allows IT administrators to manage and distribute apps to Android devices in their organization. With managed Google Play, you can:
- Remotely install and manage apps: Install, update, and uninstall apps on devices remotely, ensuring that all devices have the latest versions of essential apps.
- Configure app settings: Configure app settings, such as setting default apps, configuring app permissions, and restricting app usage.
- Monitor app usage: Track app usage and identify areas where employees may need additional training or support.
- Enhance security: Implement security policies to protect company data and devices from malicious apps and activities.
Step 1: Create a Google Workspace Account
To set up managed Google Play, you need a Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) account. If you already have a Google Workspace account, you can skip this step. If not, follow these steps to create one:
Create a Google Workspace Trial Account
- Go to the Google Workspace website (https://workspace.google.com) and click on “Get started.”
- Enter your business information, including your name, email address, and phone number.
- Choose the number of users and the plan that suits your organization’s needs.
- Click on “Next” and then “Create account.”
Verify Your Domain
- To verify your domain, you’ll need to add a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings.
- Log in to your domain’s DNS provider and add the TXT record provided by Google.
- Click on “Verify” to complete the domain verification process.
Step 2: Enable Managed Google Play
Once you have a Google Workspace account, you need to enable managed Google Play:
Sign in to the Google Admin Console
- Sign in to the Google Admin console (https://admin.google.com) using your admin credentials.
- Click on the “Apps and services” tab and then select “Google Play.”
Enable Managed Google Play
- Click on the “Get started” button next to “Managed Google Play.”
- Read and agree to the terms of service.
- Click on “Enable” to enable managed Google Play.
Step 3: Set Up Your Organization’s Profile
To set up your organization’s profile, you need to provide some basic information:
Organization Profile
- Click on the “Organization” tab and then select ” Profile.”
- Enter your organization’s name, address, and contact information.
- Add a logo and customize the appearance of your organization’s profile.
Admin Roles
- Click on the “Admin roles” tab and then select “Managed Google Play admin.”
- Assign the necessary permissions to the admin roles.
- Click on “Add role” to add new admin roles or “Edit” to modify existing roles.
Step 4: Enroll Devices
To enroll devices in managed Google Play, you need to:
Device Enrollment Methods
- Choose the device enrollment method that suits your organization’s needs:
- Google Play Store: Employees can enroll their devices by downloading the Google Play Store app and signing in with their work credentials.
- QR Code: Employees can scan a QR code to enroll their devices.
- Device Management Partner: Partner with a device management provider to enroll devices.
Enroll Devices
- Distribute the enrollment instructions to employees.
- Ensure that employees follow the instructions to enroll their devices.
Step 5: Configure App Management
To configure app management, you need to:
App Configuration
- Click on the “Apps” tab and then select “App configuration.”
- Configure app settings, such as:
- Default apps: Set default apps for specific tasks, such as email or productivity.
- App permissions: Configure app permissions to control what data apps can access.
- App restrictions: Restrict app usage to specific devices or groups.
App Approval
- Click on the “Apps” tab and then select “App approval.”
- Approve or reject apps for distribution to devices.
- Configure app approval settings to automate the approval process.
Step 6: Monitor and Manage Devices
To monitor and manage devices, you need to:
Device List
- Click on the “Devices” tab and then select “Device list.”
- View device information, such as device name, model, and OS version.
- Filter devices by device type, user, or status.
Device Management
- Click on the “Devices” tab and then select “Device management.”
- Perform device actions, such as:
- Remote wipe: Remotely wipe devices to remove all data and apps.
- Lock device: Remotely lock devices to restrict access.
- Reset password: Reset device passwords.
Conclusion
Setting up managed Google Play is a straightforward process that can help you streamline your mobile device management. By following these steps, you can unlock the power of managed Google Play and ensure that your organization’s devices are secure, productive, and efficient. With managed Google Play, you can:
- Simplify app management: Distribute and manage apps across devices remotely.
- Enhance security: Implement security policies to protect company data and devices.
- Improve productivity: Ensure that devices have the latest versions of essential apps and configurations.
By leveraging the power of managed Google Play, you can take your mobile device management to the next level and provide a better experience for your employees.
What is Managed Google Play and how does it benefit my organization?
Managed Google Play is a solution that allows IT administrators to manage and distribute Android apps to their organization’s devices. It provides a secure and controlled environment for app management, allowing organizations to ensure that only approved apps are installed on their devices. This helps to protect company data and prevent malware and other security threats.
With Managed Google Play, organizations can also benefit from features such as app licensing, which allows them to purchase and distribute apps in bulk, and app restrictions, which enable them to control which apps can be installed on devices. Additionally, Managed Google Play provides detailed reporting and analytics, giving organizations visibility into app usage and helping them make informed decisions about their app management strategy.
How do I get started with Managed Google Play?
To get started with Managed Google Play, you’ll need to create a Google Workspace or Google Cloud account, if you don’t already have one. Once you have an account, you can enroll your organization in the Managed Google Play program by following the instructions provided by Google. This will involve verifying your organization’s domain and setting up a test device to test the Managed Google Play features.
After enrolling, you can start adding apps to your Managed Google Play catalog, configuring app restrictions and approvals, and distributing apps to your devices. You can also customize the Managed Google Play experience for your organization by setting up custom app bundles, assigning app licenses, and configuring app reporting and analytics.
What types of apps can I distribute through Managed Google Play?
Managed Google Play allows you to distribute a wide range of apps, including public apps from the Google Play Store, private apps developed in-house, and custom apps developed by third-party vendors. You can also distribute apps that are not publicly available on the Google Play Store, such as custom apps developed for your organization’s specific needs.
Regardless of the type of app, Managed Google Play provides a secure and controlled environment for app distribution, allowing you to ensure that only approved apps are installed on your devices. You can also use Managed Google Play to distribute different versions of an app to different groups of users, or to distribute apps to specific devices or users.
Can I customize the app catalog for my organization?
Yes, Managed Google Play allows you to customize the app catalog for your organization. You can create custom app bundles that group related apps together, making it easier for users to find and install the apps they need. You can also customize the app catalog by hiding or removing apps that are not relevant to your organization, or by adding custom descriptions and icons to apps.
Additionally, you can use Managed Google Play to create a private app store for your organization, where users can browse and install apps that are approved and recommended by your IT department. This can help to improve user adoption and engagement, and provide a more personalized app experience for your users.
How do I manage app licenses and assignments in Managed Google Play?
Managed Google Play provides a robust app licensing and assignment system, which allows you to purchase and distribute app licenses in bulk, and assign them to specific users or devices. You can use the Managed Google Play console to manage app licenses, track license usage, and assign licenses to users or devices.
You can also use Managed Google Play to automate app license assignments, by setting up rules-based assignments that assign licenses to users or devices based on specific criteria, such as job role or device type. This can help to streamline app license management and reduce administrative overhead.
How does Managed Google Play provide app security and protection?
Managed Google Play provides robust app security and protection features, including app scanning and verification, to help ensure that only trusted and secure apps are installed on your devices. Managed Google Play also provides features such as app restrictions, which allow you to control which apps can be installed on devices, and app reporting and analytics, which provide visibility into app usage and help you identify potential security threats.
Additionally, Managed Google Play integrates with other Google security features, such as Google Play Protect, which provides an additional layer of protection against malware and other security threats. This helps to provide a secure and protected environment for app management, and helps to ensure that your organization’s data is protected.
Can I use Managed Google Play with other Google services?
Yes, Managed Google Play can be used with other Google services, such as Google Workspace, Google Cloud, and Android Enterprise. Managed Google Play provides a seamless integration with these services, allowing you to manage apps as part of your overall Google-based infrastructure.
For example, you can use Managed Google Play with Google Workspace to manage apps for your organization’s Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs users. You can also use Managed Google Play with Android Enterprise to manage apps on Android devices, and provide a comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) solution.