Getting Started with Android Device Management

Every unmanaged Android device in your organization is a device someone eventually loses, someone eventually leaves the company with still logged into corporate email, or someone eventually installs something unapproved on. Hexnode UEM closes that gap — this guide covers enrollment, security, application management, and remote troubleshooting so that from the moment a device joins your fleet, it’s under policy control rather than trust-based hope.

Enrollment and Provisioning

The first step to get started with Android operations is bringing devices into the corporate network.

Enrollment Methods

Hexnode supports various enrollment techniques depending on whether the device is already in use or being deployed out-of-the-box.

• Standard Enrollment: For existing devices.
• Zero-Touch Enrollment: For bulk, out-of-the-box deployment.
• Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment (KME): Specific to Samsung devices.

Which method should you use?

Standard Enrollment works for devices already in employees’ hands — no reset required. Zero-Touch Enrollment is built for bulk rollouts: order 200 devices, ship them straight to employees, and they arrive pre-configured out of the box with zero IT touch time per unit. If you’re deploying more than a handful of devices at once, Zero-Touch is the difference between an afternoon of setup and a week of it.

Configure Android Enterprise

Android Enterprise is the modern standard for managing Android (5.0+) devices. It offers two distinct modes:

Security and Restrictions

Once enrolled, securing the device ecosystem is paramount.

Device Restrictions

Administrators can configure restrictions to limit device functionality based on security needs.

• Basic Restrictions: Applicable to all Android devices. Prevents access to specific features (e.g., camera, microphone).
• Advanced Restrictions: Available for high-security environments using Samsung Knox, LG GATE , Kyocera, or Android Enterprise devices.

Network Security Configurations

To prevent unauthorized access to corporate resources, Hexnode allows the remote configuration of:

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and APN settings.
• Security: VPN configurations.
• Communication: Email and Exchange ActiveSync settings.

MDM Integrity

• Prevent Removal: Administrators can disable the “Allow MDM Administration removal” option via Android Basic Restrictions. This prevents users from uninstalling the Hexnode agent to bypass security.

Application and Content Management

App Distribution and Control

• Block/Allow Lists: Create lists to strictly allow essential apps or block non-compliant applications. On Android Enterprise devices, blocklisted apps are hidden from the interface.
  Without this, a blocked app relies on a policy memo and employee compliance — unreliable at any scale. A blocklist enforces itself: non-compliant devices can be flagged automatically, and on Android Enterprise devices, the blocked app disappears from view entirely rather than sitting there as a visible temptation.
• Silent Installation: Install apps without user interaction. This feature is supported on:
  • Samsung Knox
  • LG GATE
  • Kyocera Business Phones
  • Rooted Android devices
  • Android Enterprise enabled devices
  • Devices with Hexnode UEM as a system app /a>

Kiosk Mode

Lock devices into a single application or a specific set of apps. This is ideal for retail, logistics, or education. You can also incorporate PDF/Video files into Kiosk mode using the Hexnode Document Reader or Media Player.

Web Content Filtering

Save bandwidth and increase productivity by blocking access to non-essential or malicious websites.

Content Management

• File Distribution: Deploy corporate documents directly to devices.
• File Explorer: A remote file management tool allowing admins to move, copy, or delete files/folders over-the-air.

Maintenance and Monitoring

Remote View and Control

Troubleshoot issues without physical access. Admins can view the screen and control the device using a mouse and keyboard from the Hexnode console.

Mobile Data Management

Track data usage to prevent overage charges. Admins can set usage limits and receive notifications when limits are approached.

OS Updates and OEMConfig

• OS Updates: Schedule remote updates for Device Owner devices or use Remote Actions for ROM-enrolled devices.
• OEMConfig: A standard that allows Hexnode to configure OEM-specific settings (e.g., Zebra or Honeywell scanner settings) directly through the Android Enterprise framework.

Personalization

Standardize corporate branding by remotely setting Lock Screen and Home Screen wallpapers.

Troubleshooting Android Management

Common issues encountered when you get started with Android management and their solutions.

1: “Silent Install” is not working.

Cause: The device may not support silent installation.

Solution: Verify the device is Samsung Knox, LG GATE, Android Enterprise, or Rooted. Standard Android devices without these frameworks requires user approval for installation.

2: Cannot remove the Hexnode UEM App.

Cause: The administrator has applied a restriction policy.

Solution: Check if “Allow MDM Administration removal” is unchecked; under basic restrictions, the app cannot be uninstalled manually.

3: Corporate apps are not showing up.

Cause: The device might be in “Profile Owner” mode, and the user is looking at the personal profile.

Solution: Instruct the user to check the “Work Profile” tab or folder on their device launcher.

4: Kiosk Mode is allowing access to settings.

Cause: Background apps or settings were not properly restricted in the Kiosk policy.

Solution: Review the Kiosk policy settings and ensure “Status Bar” access is disabled if high security is required.