Everything You Need to Know About Android Device Onboarding

Whether you are a large-scale enterprise managing hundreds of devices or a growing new-age company just stepping into the market, the challenges of handling corporate-owned and employee-owned devices (in a BYOD setup) are inevitable. The process of configuring each device with the necessary policies and settings can often feel overwhelming.

This blog provides a comprehensive guide to help you seamlessly onboard your Android devices into an MDM platform, ensuring smooth deployment and efficient management from the start.

What is Android device onboarding?

Definition & purpose

Android onboarding is the structured setup process that turns an Android device into a compliant, work-ready unit managed by your IT policies. With Hexnode UEM, onboarding typically includes:

• Enrollment into management via Android Enterprise or Samsung Knox
• Applying corporate settings like Wi-Fi, VPN, and restrictions
• Installing business apps through Managed Google Play
• Configuring work or device owner modes to separate personal vs. business data
• Automating compliance so users cannot bypass policies

Purpose:

• Minimize manual IT workload by replacing one-by-one setups with automated workflows.
• Uniform configuration across large device fleets.
• Keep devices compliant and prevent unauthorized apps or policies.
• Support remote workers with zero-touch provisioning, where devices ship directly to employees pre-configured for work.

Challenges in Android onboarding

Despite the benefits, organizations still face common challenges when enrolling Android devices.

• Fragmentation across Android devices: With numerous manufacturers, OS versions, and custom interfaces, ensuring consistent enrollment and policy application across all Android devices remains a challenge.
• Complex ownership modes: Choosing the right mode between Device Owner, Profile Owner, or Work Profile on Company-Owned Devices (WP-C) can be confusing.
• Excessive setup prompts: Multiple system-level setup screens during initialization (Wi-Fi, accounts, terms etc) can frustrate end users and increase IT tickets if not streamlined through Zero-Touch or Knox.
• Permission and privacy concerns: End users may hesitate to grant permissions (location, storage, camera, etc) if they do not understand the corporate context. Poor communication here can slow down adoption or lead to incomplete setups.
• Policy deployment delays: If configurations, apps, or compliance rules are not applied immediately, devices may temporarily operate without restrictions, exposing organizations to security risks.
• Lack of personalization: A standard and rigid enrollment process may not address different roles or departments. For example, sales teams may require productivity apps, while some staff may need kiosk configurations.
• Insufficient user guidance: Without clear onboarding instructions, employees may face failed work profile creation, app installation errors, or network configuration issues, leading to IT escalations.

Android enrollment methods supported by Hexnode

Automated enrollment methods

With automated enrollment methods, IT teams can skip the manual setup, save time and make sure every device is secure and work-ready from the start. There are three methods under this:

• Android Zero-Touch Enrollment
• Samsung Knox Enrollment
• Android Enterprise Enrollment

Android Zero-Touch Enrollment

Android ZTE is Google’s automated provisioning framework for corporate-owned Android devices. Enables out-of-the-box enrollment into an MDM the moment devices are powered on and connected to the internet.

Advantages

• One-time setup – End users only need to switch on the device and connect to the network.
• Bulk deployment – Supports mass enrollment of thousands of devices without physical handling.
• Security enforcement – Prevents unauthorized devices from being added to the enterprise MDM environment.
• Android Enterprise compliance – Devices can be provisioned as Device Owner or Work Profile on Company-Owned Device (WP-C).
• Reseller integration – Authorized partners directly add devices into the enterprise’s Zero-Touch Portal.

Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment

Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment (KME) is a bulk provisioning service that automates enrollment of Samsung-owned devices into an organization’s MDM. Once powered on and connected to a network, devices automatically download the MDM profile, install necessary configurations, and apply enterprise security policies.

Advantages

• Automatic installation & activation – Devices receive MDM software and enterprise configurations immediately upon activation.
• Auto re-enrollment – MDM profile reinstalls even after a factory reset, ensuring persistence of enterprise control.
• Multi-profile support – Multiple MDM profiles can be managed under one account, enabling complex environments to apply the right policies to different device groups.
• Advanced policy support – Features like enrollment screen skipping, app pre-installation, and device lock for compromised devices are available with Knox Suite.

Android Enterprise – provisioning methods (Device Owner, Profile Owner, WP-C)

Android Enterprise is Google’s official system for managing work devices. It provides enhanced security, centralized app management, and deployment flexibility with enrollment options such as Device Owner, Profile Owner, and Work Profile on Company-Owned Devices (WP-C).

The enrollment process involves three phases:

• Enroll the organization in the Android Enterprise program.
• Enroll devices into the chosen management mode (Device Owner, Profile Owner, or WP-C).
• (Optional) Apply policies, configure permissions, and deploy enterprise-approved apps via a custom Managed Play Store.

Device owner enrollment

This mode is used for corporate-owned devices where IT requires complete control over the device. Once enrolled, all personal apps and accounts are removed, and the device is restricted to only work apps and configurations provisioned by the organization.

Pre-requisite: Organization must be enrolled in Android Enterprise before proceeding with Device Owner enrollment.

Device requirements

Samsung Knox devices – Android 6.0 +, or Knox SDK 2.6 and above.

General Android devices – Android 5.0 +

Devices must be factory reset before enrollment. Ensure all accounts are removed prior to reset.

Profile owner enrollment

This is for BYOD devices where both personal and corporate usage must coexist securely. Unlike Device Owner enrollment, devices do not require a factory reset. Instead, a work profile container is created, isolating enterprise apps and data from personal usage. Personal and work apps are available on the same device, with corporate apps marked by a work badge.

Pre-requisite: Organization must be enrolled in the Android Enterprise program.

Device requirements

Samsung Knox (SAFE) devices – Android 6.0+, with Knox Customization SDK 2.6 or above.

General Android devices – Android 5.0+.

Work profile on company-owned devices (WP-C)

Devices on WP-C are owned by the organization but provisioned for both personal and business use. Enrollment creates a dedicated work profile container, isolating corporate apps and data from the user’s personal environment. IT administrators retain control over the work profile while ensuring personal data and applications remain unaffected.

Device Requirements

Samsung Knox Devices – Android 11.0+.

Standard Android Devices – Android 10.0+.

Device must undergo a factory reset before enrollment if it is already in use.

Manual enrollment methods

Hexnode UEM offers multiple enrollment methods for Android devices, ensuring flexibility across different enterprise use cases, corporate-owned, BYOD, or large-scale deployments. Enrollment can be carried out with or without authentication, via self-enrollment using enterprise credentials, or through QR code-based provisioning.

Open enrollment

• This is the fastest method and only requires the MDM server name and no user credentials.
• All devices that are enrolled this way are automatically assigned to the default user configured in the UEM portal.

Authenticated enrollment (Email/SMS)

• This method of enrollment also requires the MDM server name.
• The only additional requirement is user credentials sent via enrollment request (email/SMS).

Self-enrollment

• Allows users to authenticate using their enterprise directory credentials or locally assigned passwords.
• Supported Identity Sources: Active Directory (AD), Microsoft Entra ID, Google, and Okta.

QR code enrollment

Simplifies setup by removing the need for manual entry of the MDM server name or credentials.

Types:

• Open enrollment – QR code accessible directly from the Hexnode portal.
• Enrollment with authentication – QR code shared with users via email, tied to authentication mode.

Android ROM/OEM

ROM enrollment involves flashing a custom Android firmware where Hexnode UEM is pre-installed as a system or privileged app. Usually used by enterprises working alongside OEM vendors. Once provisioned, devices automatically enrolled in Hexnode UEM when powered on for the first time, requiring no user interaction.

Advantages

• Silent application management – Silently install, update, downgrade, or remove apps without requiring end-user interaction.
• Enhanced device control – Execute remote actions such as reboot and power-off commands directly from the Hexnode UEM console.
• Non-removable agent – By embedding Hexnode, it becomes non-removable, ensuring uninterrupted device management.
• Kiosk mode enhancements – Enable or disable system UI bars when devices are provisioned in kiosk mode.
• Security and stability – As a privileged app, Hexnode has pre-granted permissions (device admin, usage access, system settings), ensuring policies apply seamlessly.

Why choose Hexnode for Android onboarding

Onboarding Android devices in bulk is more than just enrolling the device, it’s a matter of security, consistency, and efficiency from the very first boot. Hexnode simplifies this process with a set of actions designed to simplify deployment, secure corporate data, and reduce IT work.

Centralized management

Hexnode provides a single unified console to enroll, configure, monitor, and secure Android devices along with other platforms. Dashboards, reports on compliance status, and automated alerts enable IT teams to have complete visibility.

Seamless integrations

Hexnode leverages Android Zero-Touch Enrollment (ZTE), Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment (KME) to enable automatic provisioning. Users simply power on the device, connect to a network, and corporate configurations are applied in real-time.

Policy-based deployment

Predefined enrollment profiles and dynamic device groups allow policies to be auto-applied based on factors such as device type, OS version, or ownership mode. These policies include:

• Applications – silent installation and updates for enterprise apps via Managed Google Play.
• Restrictions – Control over USB file transfers, hotspot, or camera access.
• Wi-Fi/VPN – Auto-configured secure connections and always-on VPN.
• Compliance – Mandatory encryption, password rules, and lockout policies.

This ensures consistency across large-scale deployments and reduces IT work.

Enforcement at onboarding

Security controls are applied immediately during enrollment, preventing non-compliant devices from entering the corporate environment. This includes password enforcement, encryption, app allow/blocklisting, and MDM removal prevention. Remote wipe and lock capabilities are available in case of loss or theft.

Optimized user experience

Hexnode minimizes trouble for end users by:

• Skipping repetitive setup screens with pre-configured Wi-Fi, language, and time zone.
• Providing clear onboarding instructions, including login credentials and setup steps.
• Supplying quick-start guides to address common issues like failed profile creation or missing apps.

Specialized use cases

For industries such as retail, healthcare, or education, Hexnode supports kiosk mode, restricting devices to single or multiple apps, or web-app kiosk. Hardware buttons and system UI can be disabled to ensure devices remain dedicated to business functions.

Pilot testing

To validate policies and ensure smooth deployment, organizations can run pilot tests with a small group of devices. This confirms enrollment success, required app installations, and remote management functions before scaling organisation-wide.

Featured resource

Everything you need to know about Android Enterprise program

Discover how to secure your devices, make it efficient and work-ready with Android Enterprise. Learn the evolution and benefits of the program by downloading the infographic.

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Troubleshooting Android onboarding issues

The most common onboarding challenges organizations face when onboarding Android:

Device not enrolled via Zero-Touch

Challenge: Devices fail to provision automatically even when powered on.

Cause:

Device may not be registered or lacks a configuration assignment in the Zero‑Touch portal.

Fix:

• Confirm device appears in Zero‑Touch portal with correct configuration.
• Factory‑reset and ensure a good network connection to Google servers.
• Apply Android updates or consult your reseller for regional device compatibility issues.

Enrollment app fails or permissions missing

Challenge: Hexnode agent fails to install or operates with broken features.

Cause:

Runtime permission model in Android 6.0+ may restrict certain permissions like notifications, even if pre‑granted.

Fix:

• Users may need to manually toggle permissions via Settings – Device and app notifications, especially on Android 13+ devices.
• Ensure Hexnode agent is installed properly and maintains necessary permissions (admin, usage access, draw over apps, system settings, notification access).

Profile Owner setup fails

Challenge: Devices get stuck or fail during work profile creation.

Cause and fix:

Existing residual profiles on the device can block setup – Remove any old work profiles and factory‑reset the device.

App management problems

Challenge: Managed apps won’t install or policies fail to apply.

Cause and fix:

• Google Play integration or Managed Google Play sync issues can block app push – Confirm proper setup of Android Enterprise + Managed Google Play integration in Hexnode.
• App lists may be misconfigured, causing access denials – Use Hexnode’s remote actions or logs for diagnostics.

Enrolling organization or account failures

Challenge: Admin encounters errors like ‘Cannot enroll organization’ or ‘Organization enrollment failed.’

Cause and fix:

• The organization may already exist in Hexnode Console – Remove duplicate entry and try again.
• Workspace integration improperly configured – Double check directory and domain linkage.

Industry use cases

Hexnode is highly adaptable across industries, as organizations can select the appropriate enrollment model and policy set depending on device ownership, compliance needs, and user workflows. Below are the most common enterprise scenarios where Hexnode’s Android management delivers value.

Corporate Devices

Use Case: Enterprises often distribute fully managed, company-owned devices to employees for business-critical operations.

How Hexnode Helps:

• Enrolled in Device Owner mode, giving IT full control over apps, network settings, and security configurations.
• Automatically pushes business apps, VPN profiles, and certificates through predefined policies.
• Restricts device functions like camera, USB data transfer, or hotspot to prevent data leakage.
• Enables remote commands (lock, wipe, reboot) for lost or compromised devices.

Value: Ensures compliance and security at scale, ideal for industries with sensitive data handling such as finance, logistics, and professional services.

Education

Use Case: In schools and universities when shared tablets or student-assigned devices are used for digital learning, testing, and research.

How Hexnode Helps:

• Supports Kiosk mode, allowing administrators to lock devices to a single learning app or a set of educational apps.
• Restricts browsing, camera, or external app installs to maintain focus and prevent misuse.
• Enables bulk enrollment through QR codes, Zero-Touch, or Knox, making it simple to roll out hundreds of student devices at once.

Value: Promotes secure digital learning environments, reduces device misuse, and simplifies IT management in resource-constrained educational institutions.

Healthcare

Use Case: In hospitals and clinics using Android tablets or kiosk mode for patient check-in, medical record access, or online consultations.

How Hexnode Helps:

• Dedicated kiosk configurations where devices run only essential healthcare apps.
• Enforces HIPAA/GDPR-compliant security with encryption, passcode policies, and remote wipe capabilities.
• Enables staff to access secure hospital VPNs and EMR/EHR applications without risking exposure of personal apps.
• Remotely updates or patches medical apps, ensuring devices always run the latest, approved versions.

Value: Provides secure, compliant devices while reducing IT work in highly regulated healthcare environments.

BYOD

Use Case: When employees prefer to use their personal devices for work, it requires enterprises to balance productivity with privacy.

How Hexnode Helps:

• Personal devices can be onboarded using Profile Owner mode, creating a separate work profile container.
• Corporate apps appear with a work badge, ensuring a clear separation from personal apps.
• IT manages only the work profile (apps, policies, data) while personal data remains private and untouched.
• Supports app blocklisting/allowlisting, container-only VPNs, and selective wipe (removes only work data without affecting personal files).

Value: Delivers a privacy-first BYOD strategy that encourages employee adoption while maintaining enterprise data protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Android Zero-Touch Enrollment?

Android Zero-Touch Enrollment is a Google program that allows organizations to enroll Android devices without manual intervention. When the device is powered on, it auto-enrolls into Hexnode UEM and applies assigned policies.

2. Can I enroll personal Android devices (BYOD)?

Yes. Personal devices can be brought under management and be enrolled with Android Enterprise work pofile enrollment. Hexnode creates a secure, containerized work profile on the device, keeping business apps and data separate from the user’s personal apps and content.

3. Do I need a Knox or Zero-Touch portal to enroll?

Knox Mobile Enrollment for Samsung and Google Zero-Touch Enrollment are recommended for large corporate or institution-owned fleets to enable seamless onboarding. However, for smaller rollouts or BYOD scenarios, QR code, email enrollment into Hexnode performs well.

4. What permissions are needed during manual enrollment?

These permissions are crucial for enabling Hexnode to configure apps, enforce security, and maintain compliance controls:

• Device/Work Profile ownership permissions for IT policy enforcement
• App installation permissions for Managed Google Play
• Certificate & network access permissions for Wi-Fi/VPN profiles
• Device admin or Android Enterprise profile access depending on enrollment mode

5. How can I prevent users from removing MDM/UEM profiles?

Depending on ownership type, here’s how you can achieve it:

• Device Owner mode: The MDM/UEM agent cannot be removed without a factory reset, ensuring robust protection.
• Work Profile mode: Users can technically remove the work profile, but IT can configure compliance alerts, conditional access, and app restrictions to discourage removal.

Conclusion

In an era where efficiency defines success, Hexnode ensures that Android onboarding is not just a process, but a strategic advantage. By making deployment seamless, scalable, and secure, Hexnode empowers organizations to focus on growth rather than technical hurdles. The right onboarding solution doesn’t just set up devices, it sets the stage for long-term success.

How soon are you ready to experience the difference with Hexnode?