Android store app install stays initiated on devices without Google accountSolved

Hi @lila_ace,

For silent installation of Google Play Store apps on Android devices, the device must be enrolled as an Android Enterprise Device Owner.

If the device was enrolled by manually sideloading the Hexnode APK and entering the portal details, it may be enrolled in legacy Android management mode instead of Android Enterprise Device Owner mode. In that state, Hexnode cannot silently install Managed Google Play apps, especially when there is no Google account on the device.

You can confirm this from the device details in Hexnode by checking the enrollment/management mode. If it is not listed as Android Enterprise Device Owner, the app install action may remain initiated and not complete silently.

Best Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM

That makes sense. The tablet has no camera, so QR enrollment was not possible. We used the APK method from the support page, which explains why it was not actually enrolled as Device Owner.

What is the correct enrollment method for a camera-less Android device? Do we need to remove the existing device from Hexnode first?

Yes. It is recommended to disenroll the existing device entry from Hexnode first to avoid duplicate or inactive records.

For Android devices without a camera, use the Android Enterprise DPC identifier method:

1. Disenroll the device from Hexnode.
2. Factory reset the Android device.
3. During the initial setup, connect to Wi-Fi.
4. At the Google sign-in screen, enter:

   afw#hexnodemdm

5. Follow the prompts to install Hexnode UEM and continue Android Enterprise enrollment.
6. Enter the Hexnode portal subdomain when prompted and complete enrollment.

Once enrollment is complete, the device should appear in Hexnode as an Android Enterprise Device Owner device. Managed Google Play apps can then be installed silently without requiring a personal Google account on the device.

Best Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM