The following questions and answers refer to Android applications. See Managing iOS applications for iOS-specific applications.
Announcements
What is changing with regard to version code, version name, and build number?
Previously we used build number to check for updated app versions. However, we will now be using version code to stay consistent with Android Studio terminology. In the console and API, the following changes will be made:
- Version name will replace version code.
- Version code will replace build number.
The following sections of the console are affected by this change:
- Legacy Device App Install
- Legacy Group App Install
- Legacy Group App Scheduled Install
- New Group App Install
- App versions table
- Esper Software Updates
- Pipelines
- Blueprints Apps section
- Device Apps section
- Blueprints D&G Group Install section
- Blueprints D&G Group Scheduled Install
- Device Event Feed Command activity logs
When are these changes happening?
We expect these changes to start rolling out in October 2025.
General
What are the app package names?
App package names are unique identifiers for Android applications. For example, Google Chrome's app package name is com.android.chrome. In the Esper console, you may come across app package names when you set a preloaded app's state in a template or blueprint.
You can find app package names in the Apps section of the device in the Esper console or in the "package" attribute of the manifest tag within the AndroidManifest.xml file of the app's source code. Device manufacturers will also have this information for the device's preloaded apps.
Our Enterprise app and/or the Esper app crashes. How do we resolve this?
There are many reasons for app crashes. Some of the most common reasons include:
- The hardware does not support the app. Ask your app developer to check if your app is supported by the hardware you intend to have it run on.
- The Esper app crashes because the Enterprise app has an issue. Although sometimes hard to diagnose at first sight, try requesting a bug report whenever your device experiences a crash and taking note of the device’s ID and which version of the Esper Agent it’s running.
Why do I get “Awaiting Confirmation from Device” when I try to install an app?
This message will show when the device experiences network issues. After a command is sent, the Esper cloud will wait for the device to acknowledge the confirmation. If it down not receive confirmation, it will show the message “Awaiting confirmation for the device.” You can try any of the following:
- Reboot the device.
- Ensure the template or blueprint has the correct Wi-Fi credentials.
- Ensure that the application you’re trying to install ins’t already installed on the device.
- Ensure the network signal is stable if using Wi-Fi.
- Move the device closer to the Wi-Fi signal.
- Try connecting the device to a temporary hotspot to receive the command.
- If using the Play Store, ensure the application is available in the region the device is located in. Some applications in the Play Store are region-restricted.
When does an approved Play Store application show under the list of the available apps?
You approve Play Store apps in Esper's App section. Once we receive the approval information from Google, we display your applications. Sometimes it can take Google a while to send us this information which causes a delay.
Can I choose the version for a Play Store application to install?
There is no version control with Play Store apps. You will always get the latest version. However, you can upload APKs and use a specific version using Esper Cloud.
Can I upgrade the APK file?
You can upload the new version of the app through the App Management section of the console or directly to the blueprint. When you upload the new version, ensure the build number is incremented correctly.
What is the maximum size of an APK that I can upload to the Esper Console?
You can upload an APK up to 2 GB.
I am trying to install an application from Google Play( Esper Console > Apps > Play Store). I searched and approved the app. But I get this error: "Error performing the task." How do I resolve this?
Make sure the app is not under development (EarlyAccess only). Alternatively, you can download APK from Google Play and upload it via the Esper Console.
I am not able to open my app as permissions are not provided to the app, and I am getting a message that the admin controls this?
Sometimes customers are not able to use their apps that require extra permissions. They get messages such as “Permission needed” and “Action Not Allowed” when trying to change settings or open the app. In the Compliance policy or Blueprint, choose ‘Ask User’ for Run-time Permissions. This will allow the device users to give the required permission to the application.
Can I remove preloaded apps?
While you can't remove preloaded apps, you can hide or disable them.
For Android devices, preloaded apps are hidden automatically when using the Esper Launcher.
To disable or hide these apps, navigate to Devices & Groups. Choose the device or group. Then go to Apps > Preloaded Apps and copy the app's package name. Then, in a blueprint, set the app's state to hide or disabled.
Note: On the console, system applications are shown under Preloaded apps. You cannot disable system apps.
Why are my applications failing to install?
App installations failures can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons are:
- App version already installed on the device.
- Unstable network connection at the time of provisioning.
- Unstable network connection and large file size.
If you are using the Play Store, be sure that the application is not restricted in the region you are trying to install it in. You can test application installations for a device by:
- Using a temporary hotspot to install the application.
- Installing a different application to the device.
- Installing the application to a different device
How do I clear the app's cache?
Locate the device in Devices & Groups and go to its Apps tab. Select the apps you want to clear the cache for and use the Actions button to select Clear cache and data.
Can I upload XAPK files to the Esper portal?
At this time, Esper does not support XAPK files. However, you can convert XAPK files to APK files in order to upload them to Esper.
Why isn't the uploaded app appearing in the dropdown install menu?
If you've uploaded an app and see it in the Apps action, but experience issues when trying to install it through dropdown menus, follow these steps:
- Sometimes the app may be at the bottom of the dropdown menu.
- If you are using the Templates experience, there is a limit of 50 apps that may be displayed in the dropdown menus. Use the Blueprints experience (which has no such limits), or delete a few older app versions and try again.