Support Android Enterprise devices without access to Google Play

To activate devices that don’t have access to Google Play, users must download the latest BlackBerry UEM Client from a different source. The available methods to download the UEM Client depend on the OS version and activation type:
  • For devices that will be activated with the Work space only or Work and personal - full control activation types, the device must be set to factory default settings before installing the UEM Client. You can include a specified download location in a QR Code.
  • Devices that will be activated with the Work and personal - user privacy activation type don't need to be reset to their factory default settings. For these devices, after the out-of-box setup is complete, users can install the UEM Client.

To download the .apk file of the latest UEM Client, see KB 42607.

If you want to activate devices that don’t have access to Google Play, verify the following:

Requirement

Description

BlackBerry UEM environment

If you only want to support devices that don't have access to Google Play, you aren't required to integrate your UEM environment with Android Enterprise. If you want to support a mixture of devices that do and don't have access to Google Play, you must integrate your environment with Android Enterprise.

Default activation settings

If you want to include the UEM Client location in a QR code, in the default activation settings, select "Allow QR code to contain location of UEM Client app source file" and "Use default location".

These options allow users to scan the QR code in the activation email to download the UEM Client from the BlackBerry download site. These options are available only if your UEM environment is integrated with Android Enterprise.

Activation profile settings
Verify the following settings in the activation profile:
  • Clear the "Add Google Play account to workspace" option.
  • If you want to enable BlackBerry Secure Connect Plus, select the "When activating Android Enterprise devices, enable premium UEM functionality such as BlackBerry Secure Connect Plus" option. You must upload the BlackBerry Connectivity app as an internal app and assign it to users.

IT policy rules

For users that are assigned the Work and personal - user privacy (Android Enterprise) activation type, to allow the installation of apps outside of Google Play, enable the "Allow installation of non Google Play apps" IT policy rule.

Non-BlackBerry Dynamics apps

For non-BlackBerry Dynamics apps, add the apps to UEM as internal apps and assign them to users.

  1. Get the .apk files of the apps that you want to assign.
  2. In the management console, on the menu bar, click Apps.
  3. Click The Add an app icon > Internal apps.
  4. Click Browse and select the .apk file.
  5. In the Send to field, select All Android devices.
  6. Deselect Publish app in Google domain.
  7. Click Add.
  8. Repeat the previous steps for each app that you want to add.
  9. Assign the apps to users. The app disposition must be set to Required.

BlackBerry Dynamics apps

For BlackBerry Dynamics apps, upload the internal app source file and assign the app to users.

To install or update internal apps on devices that don't have access to Google Play, do the following:
  1. Get the .apk files of the BlackBerry Dynamics apps that you want to assign.
  2. In the management console, on the menu bar, click Apps.
  3. Click a BlackBerry Dynamics app.
  4. Click the Android tab.
  5. Click Add internal app source file.
  6. Click Browse and select the .apk file.
  7. Click Add.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Repeat the previous steps for each app that you want to add.
  10. Assign the apps to users. The app disposition must be set to Required.

BlackBerry UEM Client app update

To update the UEM Client app on devices, users must manually download the latest version of the .apk file and install it.