UWB disabled on managed devices — methods by Android version

Android

When you need to disable Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio on managed Android devices, Esper does not provide a single built-in policy toggle. The method available to you depends on the Android version running on the device and whether the Esper Supervisor Plugin is deployed.

Why this happens

Android's device management APIs did not include a dedicated UWB restriction until Android 14. On earlier versions, UWB control is handled inconsistently by device manufacturers, meaning no single policy key works across all hardware. As a result, three separate approaches exist depending on your environment.

Before you begin

Confirm the following before choosing a method:

• The Android version on your target devices (find this at Devices & Groups → [Device Name] → Device Info)
• The device manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, Zebra, etc.)
• Whether the Esper Supervisor Plugin is deployed and active on the device or group

Method 1: UserManager restriction (Android 14 and higher — recommended)

This is the most reliable method and is enforced at the OS level, preventing users from re-enabling UWB.

1. Confirm the target devices are running Android 14 or higher by navigating to Devices & Groups → [Device Name] → Device Info and checking the OS version field.
2. Contact Esper Support and request that the DISALLOW_ULTRA_WIDEBAND_RADIO UserManager restriction be enabled for your account and applied to the relevant devices or groups. Provide the device names or group names in your request so the configuration can be targeted correctly.
3. Once Esper Support confirms the restriction has been applied, open Settings → Connected devices on the device and confirm the UWB toggle is either greyed out or no longer visible.

Verify: The UWB toggle should appear greyed out or absent under Settings → Connected devices on the device within a few minutes of the restriction being applied. If the toggle is still active, the device may not yet have synced — wait up to 5 minutes and check the Activity Feed for a successful policy sync event.

Method 2: Global Settings key (Android 11 and higher)

This approach works on most Android 11+ devices but relies on the manufacturer implementing the standard uwb_enabled settings key. It is not guaranteed on all hardware.

1. Confirm the Esper Supervisor Plugin is deployed and active on the target device or group. Without it, Global Settings entries cannot be written. Check plugin status at Devices & Groups → [Device Name] → Apps.
2. Navigate to Devices & Groups → [Device Name or Group] → Settings → Global Settings in the Esper Console.
3. Add a new entry with the following values:
   • Key: uwb_enabled
   • Value: 0
4. Save and apply the setting. The Esper Agent will push the change on the next sync cycle.
5. Open Settings → Connected devices on the device and check whether the UWB toggle is now disabled.

Verify: The UWB toggle should appear disabled under Settings → Connected devices within 5 minutes of applying the setting. Confirm the policy was received by checking the Activity Feed for the device.

Note: Some manufacturers use a non-standard key name for UWB. If this method has no visible effect on your devices, the OEM may not honour uwb_enabled — proceed to the troubleshooting section below.

Method 3: Manual disable (all Android versions — fallback only)

Use this method only when Methods 1 and 2 are not available for your device. This does not enforce a policy and can be reversed by the user.

1. On the device, open Settings → Connected devices → Ultra-Wideband. The exact path may vary by manufacturer — on some devices this appears under Settings → Connections or Settings → Advanced features.
2. Toggle UWB off.

Verify: The UWB toggle should appear in the off position immediately after being disabled.

If this doesn't resolve it

If Method 2 had no effect, the device manufacturer may use a non-standard Global Settings key for UWB. Contact Esper Support and include the following information:

• Device make, model, and Android version
• The exact key and value you entered in Global Settings
• A screenshot of Settings → Connected devices on the device showing the UWB state
• The relevant Activity Feed entries showing whether the policy was received

If you need programmatic enforcement across a large fleet on Android 13 or earlier, contact Esper Support to discuss available options for your specific device manufacturer.

Still need help?

If the steps above don't resolve the issue, submit a support ticket with your device model, Android version, Esper Agent version, and a description of what you've already tried — this helps the support team investigate without a follow-up.