[android] Locking down Android Phones

[GTX]

Good morning everyone.

 

Iv just been informed by my boss that we are going to be moving from blackberry (hurray!) to Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5. The only two problems i have is stopping users installing app/deploying apps remotely and resyncing them with all the old phones data if lost or broken.

 

What i do like about blackberry server 5 is that if the user needs a new phone we can just connect it back up and all the settings etc will be reapplied. Surely there is something in place or even Exchange 2007 can manager this?

 

With the deploying of apps and stopping users from installing all can be done manually but it would like my life easier if i could deploy an app in one fell swoop anyone done this?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Rick

[Chris_]

Do you use Google Apps? I believe it has a MDM bit that you can use to set restrictions on Android devices.

 

Unfortunately Meraki System Manager doesn't have many restrictions that can be applied to Android. It's great for iOS though.

[GTX]

Thanks Chris,

 

Im just looking at 2X MDM but i can only push apps out not block Google play completely.

[gtg93]

Install AppLock to lock out the Play Store - Failing that, disable in in settings and lock down the settings?

 

Also, they should auto sync if the phone is lost or stolen using the Google Account, or, if you set it up, your Samsung account.

 

Unfortunately, no decent way of app deployment with Android :/ facing a similar issue myself.

[MordyT]

Install AppLock to lock out the Play Store - Failing that, disable in in settings and lock down the settings?

 

Also, they should auto sync if the phone is lost or stolen using the Google Account, or, if you set it up, your Samsung account.

 

Unfortunately, no decent way of app deployment with Android :/ facing a similar issue myself.

All these types of locking apps are useless. Boot phone into safe mode, then remove said app.

[gtg93]

All these types of locking apps are useless. Boot phone into safe mode, then remove said app.

 

I thought the same, but when you go to remove the app in safe mode the uninstall option is greyed out - granted other things could be done in safe mode as the applock app doesn't run.

 

Then again, here I don't think they'd know what safe mode was or how to get into it, so I'm probably safe.