Android kiosk mode: Microsoft Excel not showing and paid Google Play app not installingSolved

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to Hexnode Connect.

Let’s address these two app installation scenarios separately:

1. Microsoft Excel Not Showing in Kiosk

If an app is configured in your kiosk policy but fails to appear on the device, it usually means the app hasn’t actually been pushed to the device yet. Adding an app to a kiosk layout only gives it permission to show; it does not automatically install it.

• Navigate to Policies > Android > App Management > Required Apps.
• Add Microsoft Excel as a required app and save the policy.
• Additionally, ensure you add Google Play Services under the Background Apps section of your kiosk policy. This ensures the required Google components can process the installation while the device is locked down.

Once the policy syncs and the app installs, Excel will appear on your kiosk screen.

2. Automatically Signing into Google Play for Paid Apps

Hexnode cannot pre-configure or force a specific personal or corporate Google account login through a policy for Android Enterprise Device Owner enrollments.

When enrolled as a Device Owner, Android Enterprise utilizes a silent, auto-generated Managed Google Play account in the background for standard app deployments. If your paid app license is tied to a specific standard Google account, Hexnode cannot automatically log in to that account for you during the enrollment flow.

Your Options for the Paid App:

• Option A (Recommended): Enterprise App Deployment

  Contact the app developer to see if they can provide a standalone APK file for your licensed version. You can then upload this APK to Hexnode (Apps > Add Apps > Enterprise App > Android) and deploy it silently via your Required Apps list, completely bypassing the Google Play Store login requirement.

• Option B: Manual Sign-In

  If an APK is unavailable, you must complete the device enrollment first. Then, you will need to manually open the Google Play Store on each tablet, sign in with the specific Google account that holds the license, and install the app manually. (Note: You may need to temporarily pause your kiosk mode or allow access to the Play Store to complete this process).

I hope this helps clarify the deployment workflows. If you find any more issues or need further assistance feel free to reach out.

Best regards,
George,
Hexnode UEM