How to prepare for Android Device Admin deprecation?Solved

Hey man,

You should start planning and moving to Android Enterprise now. Google deprecated Device Admin for enterprise use and pushed everyone toward Android Enterprise years ago; devices running Android 10+ will not accept many legacy Device Admin policies and newer Android releases only increase that restriction.

A few concrete facts to anchor this:

Google marked the Device Admin (legacy) APIs as deprecated and Android 10 blocked many legacy policies from working. That means policies like disabling the camera, enforcing some password rules, and certain keyguard controls will throw exceptions on newer Android builds.

Vendors and MDM providers have been announcing end of support windows and migration guides for some time; many customers saw vendor deadlines for Device Admin support, so it is not just a Google advisory, ecosystem timelines vary and you should check your vendor notices.

So what to do now? I would suggest you start your migration as early as possible. You can follow the guide below from Hexnode:

https://www.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/android-enterprise-migration-guide/

Thank you for your insights. A couple of follow ups: what about devices that do not have GMS and vendors that stopped Device Admin earlier? Any special handling?

Right, Two quick notes:

• AOSP and specialized devices: If devices don’t ship with GMS (Google Mobile Services), you might need to evaluate AOSP (Android Open Source Project) management paths or vendor specific solutions. Some organizations move these devices to AOSP-specific workflows or to device OEM solutions; others replace the hardware if required features are missing. Check device OEM instructions and timelines.
• Vendor timelines differ: Some management suites announced end dates for Device Admin support earlier than Google’s broader deprecation timeline.

So, it’s better to start with inventory and talk to procurement departments about device replacements where needed.