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Managing Google Play Store Apps

This feature is available for:

✓ Templates ✓ Blueprints

✓ GMS Devices

You must enroll in Google Play for Work before using this feature.

Approve apps and enable Console users to install only the apps they need for their devices. App approval also enables admins to restrict unwanted apps from devices. Once approved, apps may be organized into Collections.

In this article:

Approving Applications

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 then be installed or deployed to devices. 

Step 1: To approve a Google Play app, go to Apps > Play Store.

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Step 2: Enter the name of the app in the search field.

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Step 3: Select the application.

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 Step 4: From the app’s listing, click Select.

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Step 5: From the modal that appears, you can: approve the app; check its approval status; and, if the app is approved, manage its configurations.

App_approval_status__managed_config_and_approval_button_.png

Note: When approving or unapproving an app before March 31st, 2023, the app status will still show the previous status in the Google Play store.

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This functionality is controlled by Google and not by Esper. To check the app's actual approval status, click Select. The approval status will appear under the application’s name.the_chrome_app_is_actually_unapproved.png

Refer to this modal for the app’s correct status. Unapproved apps will not appear in a user’s Google Play Store. 

After approving applications, those applications may be installed on devices. Create a curated list of applications for end users to install.

Ensure the app supports the appropriate minimum API level and is available in the country or region to which you’re downloading it. If either of these is mismatched, Google Play will prevent installing the application onto non-conforming devices either during provisioning or while installing from Esper.

Managing App Configurations 

Once approved, you’ll be able to manage the app’s configurations. Enable the Managed Configurations toggle to access the configuration menu.

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Managing application configurations here will override any configurations made in the Play Store.

Organizing Apps 

After approving apps, you may also add those apps to a collection. 

Make a collection of apps so that end users can pick from a curated list in the Google Play Store. Collections are managed by the Google Play Store, not Esper. To be added to a Collection, applications should be approved both in Esper and in the Google Play Store.

Step 1: To organize apps, go to Apps > Play Store and hover over the left panel until the menu appears. Then select Organize apps.

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Step 2: Click on Create a collection.

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Step 3: Name the collection. Then press Next.

Naming_a_Collection.png

Step 4: Then add apps to the collection by enabling on their checkboxes. You can also search for them. 

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Once you’re done adding apps, press Add Apps.

After you’ve made the Collection, you can manage the list by: 

  • Clicking on the pencil icon to edit the list 
  • Clicking on the trashcan to delete the list 
  • Clicking on the papers to copy the list 
  • Add an app by clicking Add apps 
  • Delete an app by clicking x on the top right corner of each app tile

 

Allow a few minutes for these changes to take effect on the devices. Once apps are added to a collection, they are available in the Google Play Store for users to install.

The Console Collection should reflect the device Google Play Store collection.device_collection.jpg

Unapproving Applications

Unnaproving apps allow you to prevent end users from installing specific apps on your devices. Unapproved apps will not appear in a user’s Google Play Store.

Step 1: To unapprove an application, go to Apps > Play Store and select an application.featured_apps_linkedin_highlighted.png

Step 2: Click Select.

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Step 3: Select Unapprove. 

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The app is no longer approved and will show an Unapproved status below the app title. 

You won’t be able to manage configurations for apps that are unnaproved.

Note: Unapproving an application does not automatically uninstall apps from the devices on which they’re already installed. If the application was approved earlier, it will remain on any device until it is uninstalled. After uninstalling an application, the device user will not be able to reinstall it on the device if it is still marked as Unapproved.

Private Apps 

Upload a private application to the Google Play Store and have it available in the Esper Console.

Locate the Private Apps sections in Apps > Play Store and then navigate to the sidebar and select Private Apps. 

Private_apps_selected_in_the_console.png

See Google’s documentation for Publishing Private Apps.

Web Apps 

Upload a web app to the Google Play Store and have it available in the Esper Console. Locate the Private Apps sections in Apps > Play Store, navigate to the sidebar, and select Private Apps. 

web_apps_selected_in_the_console.png

See Google’s documentation for Creating Web Apps.

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