The Esper Device Provisioner (EDP) provisions an Android device over USB directly from Esper Console. You connect the device to your computer, choose a blueprint, and Esper installs the Esper Agent and applies your configuration. There is no desktop app to download.
Use this method to provision a device when you have physical access to it and a USB cable that can transfer data.
Requirements
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- An Android device you want to provision.
- A USB cable that can transfer data. Charge-only cables don't work.
- A computer with a web browser, signed in to Esper Console.
- At least one blueprint created in Esper Console.
Preparing the Device
Turn on Developer options and USB debugging on the device so Esper can communicate with it over USB.
- On the device, navigate to Settings > About. On some devices, this is About tablet or About phone.
- Tap Build number several times until a message confirms that Developer options are enabled. It can take a few moments for the options to appear in Settings.
- Navigate to Settings > Developer options.
- Scroll to the Debugging section and turn on USB debugging.
- In the prompt that appears, click on OK to allow USB debugging.
Tip: Some Android Open Source Project (AOSP) devices ship with Developer options or USB debugging already turned on. If that's the case for your device, skip the steps you don't need.
Note: After a device is provisioned, Esper prevents local adb debugging sessions unless they are enabled in the blueprint.
Provisioning a Device over USB
Start the provisioning workflow in Esper Console, then authorize the connection on the device.
- Connect the device to your computer with the USB cable.
- In Esper Console, navigate to Provisioning > Methods.
- Click on Connect device.
- For the device platform, choose Android.
- For the provisioning method, choose Esper Device Provisioner.
- Select a blueprint. Esper automatically selects the blueprint linked to a group, if one exists.
- (Optional) Select a provisioning group from the Select Provisioning Group list.
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In the browser prompt, select your device from the list and click on Connect.
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On the device, accept the RSA fingerprint prompt to allow USB debugging. If your organization permits it, you can select Always allow from this computer.
After you accept the prompt, the device moves through the provisioning steps automatically.
Tip: If your device doesn't appear in the browser prompt, check the USB data cable, unlock the device, and confirm that USB debugging is enabled.
Provisioning Steps Explained
Esper Console shows your progress and the elapsed time for each stage as the device provisions.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Connect device | You select the device in the browser prompt. |
| Authorize connection | You accept the RSA fingerprint prompt on the device to allow USB debugging. |
| Check device | Esper checks the device before installing anything. |
| Install Esper Agent Helper | Esper installs the Esper Agent Helper on the device. |
| Install Esper Agent | Esper installs the Esper Agent on the device. |
| Apply configuration | Esper applies the configuration from your blueprint. |
| Assign device management | Esper confirms that it manages the device. |
| Start Esper Agent | Esper sends the command to start the Esper Agent. |
Note: Keep the device connected and leave the browser tab open while the device provisions. Unplugging the device or closing the tab can leave it partly set up, and you may need to factory reset it before you try again.
After Provisioning
When all stages finish, Esper Console displays Device provisioning complete. At this point, device management is confirmed and Esper has accepted the command to start the Esper Agent.
The device continues provisioning on its own from here. Provisioning and blueprint convergence (applying the blueprint to the device) happen on the device, and this workflow doesn't confirm them. To track progress, open the device's page in Esper Console.
To provision another device, click on Provision another device.
Canceling provisioning
You can click on Cancel provisioning while a device is provisioning. Canceling stops the remaining steps, but it doesn't undo anything Esper already installed. The device may need a factory reset before you can provision it again.
Troubleshooting
The device doesn't appear in the browser prompt
Check that you're using a USB cable that can transfer data, unlock the device, and confirm that USB debugging is turned on in Developer options. If the device still doesn't appear, try a different USB port or cable.
The RSA fingerprint prompt doesn't appear on the device
Unlock the device and reconnect the USB cable. If the prompt still doesn't appear, navigate to Settings > Developer options on the device, select Revoke USB debugging authorizations, and reconnect the device.
Provisioning stopped or was canceled before it finished
Factory reset the device, then start the provisioning workflow again. Canceling or interrupting provisioning can leave the device partly set up.