Android Device Owner Mode Overview [2024 Updated]
The corporate industry is dynamic, and businesses must adapt to the latest trends. The involvement of digital gadgets has increased so much in every industry that considering a successful business without them is impossible.
Managing smart devices in large enterprises is challenging, but the IT industry has revolutionized ways of working and controlling them.
Device Owner Android is one of the achievements that have streamlined device management. It provides the admins full authority and control of a fleet of devices.
1What is Android Device Owner?
Android Enterprise has two basic modes, Device Owner mode and Profile Owner mode.
Device Owner mode is also named as fully managed device mode. Setting a device under Device Owner means it is now under the complete control of a business administrator who can enforce policies, manage apps, and configure the settings remotely. It contains only work-related apps and data visible only to authorized entities.
The device Policy Controller (DPC) app is set as a Device Owner responsible for enforcing Android device policies and looking for the entire device management. Device Owner mode is beneficial for company-owned devices used for official purposes.
Key features
- Business administrators are able to configure kiosk applications necessary for business and create custom lock screen messages for a better interface.
- It ensures a secure network connection for the managed devices and enables admins to reboot remotely.
- It allows remote wipe of data from the devices.
- Configuration of password policy and user accounts is possible with Device Owner mode.
- It offers quick device enrollment options like zero-touch enrollment (instant bulk enrollment with pre-configured settings) and enrollment via QR code.
- It is a valuable tool for managing or locking device hardware and software functions.
2How to Set Up Device Owner Mode?
Setting up Android device owner mode is crucial to getting complete control over corporate devices. You might need an MDM solution like AirDroid Business to configure settings and restrictions of enterprise devices to improve security and productivity.
Different Android versions support different methods to enable Device Owner Mode:
On Android version 4.0+, you can use the Android Debug Bridge(ADB), which is a command line tool used as a medium to provide access to different commands.
On Android 4.3+, you can use USB enrollment method.
While on Android version 7.0+, you can scan the QR code by tapping six/seven times on the device's home screen.(We will discuss the steps in Part 4)
3Why Do Enterprises Prefer Device Owner Mode In Device Management?
- It provides a complete set of features to manage devices with higher efficiency and less effort.
- Android Device Owner provides a complete management system by allowing admins to enforce strict security policies like kiosk mode, app and website allowlist and blocklist, multi-factor authentication, and remotely wiping or factory resetting the data.
- It also helps create a dedicated work profile on the device by providing efficient app distribution support.
- Admins can easily keep the official and personal data separate on official devices using Device Owner mode.
- Businesses are able to monitor and track device activities to optimize usage remotely.
- Android Device Owner mode helps to secure the devices in a business environment.
Admins can perform the following actions:
- Enforcing security & compliance policies
Device Owner mode is comparatively more robust and efficient than other device management modes because it provides all the administrative control to manage and secure devices, ensuring compliance with regulations.
By creating security and device usage policies, enterprises can restrict app usage, internet browsing, and other device functions to ensure compliance with regulations.
Device Owner mode provides a secure and productive environment for businesses to grow by establishing efficient device management policies.
It also offers a remote wipe or factory reset option to secure data on corporate devices when lost. It mitigates the risk of data breaches and prevents reputational and financial loss. - Remote device monitoring
It enables enterprises to track continuously and monitor each managed device remotely, facilitating admins with valuable insights into device usage.
With Android Device Owner mode, admins can optimize workflows and identify areas that need improvement to ensure better security and productivity. Remote monitoring also ensures resources are effectively utilized with minimum costs by analyzing each device's data usage and making informed decisions accordingly. - App management
Android Device Owner facilitates admins in managing app distribution and updating patches on corporate devices smoothly. Effortless deployment of apps with timely updates also enhances device security by keeping them updated with the latest security features. App distribution helps manage the allowlist and blocklist of apps to manage end-user access on devices. - Device configuration
It is easy to manage device configurations using the MDM console in Device Owner mode. Admins are provided complete access to devices to deploy new policies quickly and change existing ones. Device Owner mode helps enforce policies on all devices through a centralized console to ensure devices are consistently aligned with set rules.
It is important to get Device Owner authority>
Multiple features of MDM only activate when Device Owner mode is enabled; otherwise, they remain disabled. These features include device functions like a camera, screenshot, microphone, system update, and mandatory storage encryption features,etc.
Similarly, safety mode, sync and transfer, device connectivity, location, calls, tethering, network and roaming, date and time, display, and app settings are all the settings that are disabled when the device is not in Device Owner mode.
General settings are only available when the MDM has the Device Owner's permission. Significant settings include language, volume, and APN settings.
4How Can Devices be Enrolled via Device Owner in AirDroid Business MDM?
Here are two simple ways to enroll devices via Device Owner in AirDroid Business MDM. It allows Biz Daemon on the device to get Android Device Owner permission, resulting in effective kiosk and policy config settings.
1Method 1. 6 Times Tap
- Step 1:Factory reset the device
- If you have a new device, tap six times on the welcome screen; otherwise, go to the settings and factory reset the device to proceed.
Create a data backup on the device or copy it somewhere else to prevent loss.
- Step 2:Select the provisioning Template
- Open the Admin Console of AirDroid Business and choose the 'Devices' tab. Then select 'Device Enrollment' to access the 'The Enrollment via Device Owner' option.
- Step 3:Open 6-times tap option
- Open the '6 times tap' bar and scan the QR code from the device camera. Make sure to finish setting the provisioning template.
- Step 4:Complete the Initialization
- Scan the QR code to initialize it, then click 'Continue' to grant permissions and accept the terms to use.
- Step 5:Manage necessary permissions
- After fulfilling all the service terms, open Biz Daemon on the device desktop and authorize Biz Daemon permissions.
2Method 2. Enrollment via USB
To use this method, it is necessary to log out of all existing accounts, either Gmail or other accounts. So, open the settings tab and select 'Accounts' options. Select accounts one by one and press the 'Remove Account' button to remove it.
- Step 1:Enable Developer's mode
- Move back to the Settings menu and select 'About Phone.' Then tap on Build Number seven times to display Developer Options.
- Step 2:Enable USB debugging
- Slide the bar to enable the USB Debugging option.
- Step 3:Connect your device to the computer
- Open the desktop client on the computer and select 'Enrollment via USB.'
- Step 4:Choose the File Transfer option in the USB settings
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the device to a computer with a USB cable, and choose 'Transfer Files' from the connection options to let the desktop client find your device.
- Step 5:Select the Device
- See the device on the desktop and press the 'Enroll' button to start enrollment.
- Step 6:Initiate the USB Enrollment
- After installing Biz Daemon, the Desktop Client will deploy the Device Owner's permission on the devices. The process needs to have an uninterrupted USB connection.
- Step 7:Apply the provisioning Template
- As the device gets Device Owner permission, choose 'Apply Provisioning Templates' to select any template you choose.
- Step 8:Finalize the USB Enrollment
- A notification will appear on the screen that 'Configuration 'Default' has been applied to the device successfully.' It means the enrollment process is complete now.
- Step 9:Grant Permissions
- Click 'Continue' on the device and manage permissions for Biz Daemon on the device. It will let AirDroid Business work according to the set permissions.
After enrolling, you have completed the steps to set up Device Owner mode on your managed devices. Now you can use all MDM features to manage and control devices from a central dashboard.
5Evolution of Android Device Management
In 2010, Google started its new journey for mobile device management by launching the Android Device Administrator (DA) API. Businesses have revolutionized to a greater extent, and Android has to add new methods with time to overcome device management challenges in the corporate world. Business trends have changed from physical shops to online shopping covering a large geographical area.
Additionally, the same devices are used for both personal and official use, so it is challenging to manage devices with traditional methods that work in 2010. Device Administrator has failed to keep up with business requirements, so Google, being concerned with the corporate world, has launched the latest mechanisms to manage smart devices called Android Enterprise.
In 2014, Google introduced two new management modes with Android Lollipop (5.x) in Android Enterprise, i.e., Device Owner and Profile Owner. The Device Owner mode enables business administrators to get complete control over enterprise devices from a centralized location, allowing them to monitor, control, troubleshoot, and configure settings remotely on official devices.
Android Enterprise marked DA as a legacy and overcame it due to significant business management capabilities, and Google officially announced its discontinuation with Device Admin (DA) API. So, it is crucial for enterprises to adapt to the latest technologies and features promptly so that businesses can grow smoothly with customers' emerging needs.
6Conclusion
From various configuration methods, Device Owner Android is the most appropriate mode for Android device management, as it offers complete control over devices. Businesses depending on Android devices need to adapt to the Android advancements with time to cope with digital trends and Android Device Owner is of those latest need of time for enterprises. Android Device Android is a special feature that gives administrators complete control of enterprise devices to remotely monitor device activities, manage apps, and configure device settings to ensure consistency and compliance with industry or business regulations. Android Device Owner also plays a significant role in managing device security and data protection.
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