How to install apps on Android devices?

The rapidly evolving technology has driven businesses to use various apps throughout their organization. Apps have now become an integral part of an organization to boost productivity. Hence, IT admins are in dire need of a solution that can efficiently deploy, manage, and secure applications.

The comprehensive ‘App Management’ feature in Hexnode UEM lets you install, control, and secure apps seamlessly. This article will guide you to remotely install Android apps on your devices including Android TV OS. Hexnode simplifies the process for IT admins to install both store and enterprise apps to multiple devices. It also provides you with the option to install Android apps silently on supported devices.

Add Apps from Google Play

To add an app from Google Play,

Add Enterprise Apps

With Hexnode, you can add enterprise apps to the app inventory, which can later be pushed to the target devices via remote action or via automated rollout through policy. Enterprise apps can be added either through Manifest URL or using the APK file. Learn more.

Install Apps via Remote Actions

Two ways to install any previously added app(s):

• Go to Manage > Devices , select devices > Actions > Install Application. Select the apps from the list and click Done.
• Go to Manage > Devices and click on a device name. This will take you to the Device Summary page. Go to Actions > Install application. Select the apps from the list and click Done.

You can choose to display apps via platform, while you are in the app selection window.

Install Apps via Policies

You can install apps from Policies in two ways:

Method 1: Add as Required apps

Required apps are defined to ensure that all the required apps are installed on the devices. To set the apps as required,

1. Log in to your Hexnode portal.
2. Go to Policies.
3. Select an existing policy or create a new one by clicking New Policy.
4. Go to Android > App Management > Required Apps. Click Configure.
5. You can optionally configure the following options:
   • Remove apps from the device on policy removal: Enable this option to remove apps from the device if:
     • The policy is deleted from the device.
     • The device is disassociated from the policy.
     • The apps are removed from the Required Apps policy.
   • Enforce app downgrade: Enable this option to downgrade an already installed enterprise app by deploying the lower version of that app to the devices.
     
     Notes:

     • On Samsung Knox devices below Android 7.0, app downgrade silently without clearing the app data.
     • On Samsung Knox devices (Android 7.0+), LG GATE, and Kyocera business phones, apps can be downgraded silently, but the app data will get cleared.

6. Update apps only over Wi-Fi: Checking this option allows apps to update only when the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. When a new update for the application is available, connect the device to a Wi-Fi network and keep it in an inactive state. Ensure that the app to be updated is not running in the foreground and the device should be in charging mode.
Note:

• This option is supported only on apps deployed via Managed Google Play on devices enrolled via Android Enterprise program.

7. Click on +Add > select Add App or Add Group.
8. Select the apps already added to App settings. If you’ve created an App Group under Apps > App groups, then select the app group from the list.
9. Save and apply the policy to the target devices.

Method 2: Deploy Apps via App Catalog

App Catalogs allows you to customize an app store of your choice to install the required apps seamlessly. You can include app groups and individual apps in an app catalog. To distribute an app catalog to the devices,

1. Login to your Hexnode portal.
2. Go to Policies.
3. Select an existing policy or create a new one by clicking New Policy.
4. Go to Android > App Management > App Catalog. Click Configure.
5. Click on +Add Catalogs, and select the app catalogs created under Apps > App Catalogs.
6. Save and apply the policy to target devices.