- For devices on Esper Agent version 8.2+, enroll an account and devices during or after provisioning.
- For devices on an Esper Agent version below 8.2, enroll an account and devices in EMM before provisioning devices (steps 1 and 2 of this guide).
The Esper Console gives you access to Play for Work, the enterprise version of Google Play. Within Play for Work, you can approve applications, which can be installed on your GMS (Google Mobile Services) devices. You should sign up for Google Play for Work before creating a blueprint that manages device applications.
Google Play does not support AOSP (Android Open Source Project) devices.
Requirements:
In this article:
- About Google Play in Esper
- Setting Up Google Play for Devices
- Unsubscribing from Google Play for Work
- Troubleshooting
About Google Play in Esper
You'll need to subscribe to Google Play for Work and set up a blueprint to enroll devices in EMM.
After setting up your EMM account, you'll have access to the Google Play Store from the Esper Apps section. If you give device users access to the Google Play Store app, you can limit installable applications from the Play Store to Esper-approved applications.
Google Play is a service provided by Google. Esper does not control every aspect of the user experience for Google Play. After creating an EMM account, learn how to approve apps for Google Play.
Setting Up Google Play for Devices
Step 1: Subscribing to Google Play for Work
If you have not signed up for Play for Work to create a managed Google Play account for your Esper tenant, you can go to Apps > Play Store.
Click the Click to Enroll button.
Then enter your email address.
Press Next.
Your steps will differ depending on your account type. Choose your account type from the tabs below.
The following factors may prevent enrollment:
- Non-admin G-Suite accounts will not be able to sign up for EMM.
- If you see a message, "This enterprise is already enrolled with another EMM", you'll need to unsubscribe from your previous service before enrolling with Esper.
Then, under Sign up for Android Only, click on Sign up.
On Google’s managed Google Play sign-up page, click Sign in.
Sign in to the Gmail account you intend to use for enrollment.
If you are already signed into a Google Workspace account you will see a slightly different screen asking you to choose a non-Google Workspace account to continue. Copy the URL, open a new Incognito window, and go to the URL. You should now see the SIGN IN button. You can then use an existing Gmail account or create a new one to enroll.
Fill in the information requested by Google, including your company name, and optional contact information for your Data Protection Officer and/or EU Representative. Accept the agreement, and click Confirm.
Click Complete Registration.
If you’re an admin for your G-suite account and haven’t set up an Android Enterprise account, you can sign up for EMM through that account.
Then you can log in to your account.
You’ll be directed to sign up for a free account. Press Checkout.
Then press Place Order.
Then press Allow. Note: Shoonya Enterprises Inc. is Esper’s trademark name. You’ll occasionally find references to it sprinkled throughout the product.
You’ll be redirected to your Esper tenant. If you used an incognito window, you’ll need to log into your tenant. If you’re already logged in, you’ll see a screen in Esper indicating enrollment is in process.
After you've enrolled in EMM, approve or unapprove Google Play apps from the Esper App section. Learn more about Google Play approval. Then set up a blueprint to enroll devices in EMM.
Step 2: Blueprint Managed Google Play Enrollment
After you've set up your EMM account, you'll need to set up a blueprint to enroll devices in Managed Google Play.
For devices on Esper Agent 8.2+, enroll the devices through a blueprint by going to Platform Services and enabling Managed Google Play. You can unenroll a device by disabling this toggle. When the toggle is disabled, you'll be prompted to remove Google Play apps from the blueprint.
For devices below Esper Agent 8.2, in a blueprint, go to Platform Services and enable Managed Google Play. Devices must be enrolled during provisioning and cannot be unenrolled without a factory reset.
You can now add Google Play apps to devices in the following ways:
- You can also enable Google Play Store Visibility from the Platform Services section to give users access to the Google Play Store.
- If you'd rather control the apps visible on the device, go to the Apps & Configuration section to select approved Google Play Store applications from the dropdown.
- Do you also want to use Enterprise apps? Provisioning may fail if those apps are improperly signed due to Google Play Protect. Learn more about Install Verification Errors.
Once you've set up the blueprint, save and publish it, and then provision devices with it.
Viewing Managed Google Play Account Information
To view Managed Google Play Account information, go to Apps and click on the ellipsis (...). Choose Managed Google Play Account.
You will see your Google Enterprise ID, the updated date, and the registration name.
Unsubscribing from Google Play for Work
You may need to unsubscribe from Google Play for Work if:
- Your organization will no longer utilize the Google Play Store and its apps
- You signed up for Google Play for Work through a different service. In that case, you may see a message telling you "This enterprise is already enrolled with another EMM" when you attempt to sign up for EMM through Esper.
Step 1: Go to the Google Play Admin Settings page.
You may need to switch accounts. Click Switch Accounts to switch to the Gmail address you used for enrollment.
Step 2: Select your account or give login credentials.
Step 3: Under Settings, navigate to the "Organization Information" section. Click the vertical ellipsis on the right. Choose the option to Delete Organization. Now your email will be disassociated with the said organization.
Troubleshooting
I provisioned devices without setting up EMM. Can I still enroll them in EMM after provisioning?
You'll need to factory reset the devices in order to enroll them in EMM. After a factory reset, follow the steps in Setting Up Google Play for Devices.
When I try to enroll in EMM, I receive an error message: Unable to Open Google Play Store.
Your account may already be enrolled in EMM through another provider. Follow the steps to unsubscribe from EMM and try again. If you still encounter errors, contact Esper.
See our App Troubleshooting guide for more errors, why they happen, and their solutions.