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How to change the ownership of a device?
Device Ownership is a classification in Hexnode UEM that labels a device as either Corporate or Personal, allowing administrators to apply appropriate security restrictions and management policies based on the device’s role.
Understanding Device Ownership Types
Identifying the ownership type is essential for balancing user privacy with corporate security. Hexnode UEM defaults to “Corporate” ownership unless the device is enrolled via a Profile Owner method.
- Corporate: Organization-provided devices intended for work. These typically have more restrictive policies.
- Personal (BYOD): Individually owned devices used for both personal and work purposes. These usually have less intrusive management to protect user privacy.
| Feature | Corporate Device | Personal Device (BYOD) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Owner | Organization | Individual User |
| Management Level | High / Restrictive | Balanced / Privacy-focused |
| Policy Application | Full Device Control | Often limited to a Work Profile |
Prerequisites and Constraints
Before attempting to modify ownership, review the following technical limitations:
- Android Enterprise Restriction: Ownership of any device enrolled in the Android Enterprise program cannot be modified after the enrollment process is complete.
- Portal Access: Administrators must have permissions to access the Manage and Enroll tabs.
Modifying Ownership Settings
Hexnode UEM provides options to set ownership either before the device is enrolled or as a remote action for already managed devices.
1. Pre-configuring Ownership Before Enrollment
To set the default ownership type for new devices:
- Log in to the Hexnode portal.
- Navigate to Enroll > Settings.
- Locate Enrollment Ownership and select your preferred Ownership type:
- Corporate
- Personal
- Choose while sending enrollment requests
- Let the user choose
2. Changing Ownership After Enrollment (Bulk Action)
To update multiple devices simultaneously:
- Go to the Manage tab.
- Select the checkboxes for the devices you wish to modify.
- Select Actions > Edit > Change ownership.
- Click Continue.
3. Changing Ownership for Individual Devices
- Go to the Manage tab.
- Select the target device to open the Device Summary Page.
- Select Actions > Edit > Change ownership.
- Click Continue.
Troubleshooting Guides
| Problem | Resolution |
|---|---|
| “Change Ownership” option is missing or fails | Check if the device is enrolled via Android Enterprise. If it is, the OS architecture prevents ownership changes post-enrollment. The device must be wiped and re-enrolled with the correct ownership. |
| Ownership status is not updating in the portal | Navigate to Manage > Devices > [Device Name] > Device Info and verify if the change is reflected in the ‘Device Info’ table. If not, perform a Scan Device action to refresh the data. |
| Users are choosing the wrong ownership | In Enroll > Settings, change the Enrollment Ownership from “Let the user choose” to a specific type like “Corporate” to enforce standardized labeling. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)s
How can the current ownership status of a device be verified?
Navigate to Manage > Devices, click on the specific device, and head to the Device Info sub-tab. The ownership status (Corporate or Personal) is listed within the Device Info table.
Does changing ownership from Personal to Corporate automatically apply more restrictions?
Changing the label itself does not change the policies. However, it allows administrators to use Dynamic Groups based on ownership to automatically apply more restrictive policies to “Corporate” devices.
Can employees be enabled to decide the ownership type during setup?
Yes. By navigating to Enroll > Settings and setting the Enrollment Ownership to “Let the user choose,” the end-user will be prompted to select the ownership type during the initial enrollment steps.
What is the default ownership for Profile Owner enrollments?
Unlike most Hexnode enrollments which default to Corporate, devices enrolled via Profile Owner (Android Enterprise Work Profile) are automatically classified as Personal.
