App restrictions removed after changing device owner to Default in HexnodeSolved

Participant
Discussion
2 months ago Sep 16, 2026

I’m managing a phone in Hexnode with app restrictions/kiosk lockdown. When I change the device owner to Default, the phone stops locking down and all apps become visible again.

In our workflow, Default is supposed to be the locked-down state, while a named owner is used when the phone should not be locked down. Why would changing the owner to Default remove the restrictions, and how do I get the lockdown back?

Replies (1)

Marked SolutionPending Review
Hexnode Expert
2 months ago Sep 16, 2026
Marked SolutionPending Review

Hello @gnishilda ,

When a policy is associated with a specific user or user group, Hexnode UEM applies that policy based on the device’s current owner.

If the device owner is changed to Default, the device is no longer associated with that user or user group. As a result, any restrictions or kiosk configurations coming from user/user group-based policies are removed from the device.

To keep the restrictions active while the device owner is set to Default, associate the kiosk policy directly with the device:

  1. Go to Manage > Endpoints.
  2. Select the affected device.
  3. Open the Policies tab.
  4. Click Associate Policy.
  5. Search for the policy previously used to configure the kiosk or app restrictions.
  6. Select the policy and click Associate.

Once the policy is directly associated with the device, the app restrictions should be applied again even when the owner is set to Default.

Regards,
Simon Scott
Hexnode UEM

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