Prevent users from adding Google accounts on Android devices

Solved
JG
Justin Graves
Cornerstone Healthcare Inc

I would like to prevent users from adding Google accounts on their devices. The problem is that users will sometimes add an account and then neglect to log out of it when they leave or are terminated. This leaves us with a $300 paperweight since it is Google locked. Application Run Control can't prevent the Google account enrollment screen from coming up, even though I have identified the screen I would like to block.

As such, I'm looking for creative solutions/work-arounds to either:

1) Prevent users from adding Google accounts.

2) A script to silently remove all Google accounts.

3) A way to identify devices with Google accounts so we can reach out to those individuals and remedy the situation.

7 years ago
Android
ANSWERS
BR
Ben Ragland
7 years ago

What device type are you using?

For Zebra Android devices, you can ship them the device to have it unlocked/reset. As a preemptive measure, you can OS update the devices from GMS (Google) to Non-GMS (No Google) but make sure there is no Google account tied to the device prior to changing to Non-GMS. The software is provided by Zebra.

JG
Justin Graves
7 years ago

We are using Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Note 5, and LG Stylo 2. No Zebras. Is there a Non-GMS version for these devices?

RC
Raymond Chan Diamond Contributor
7 years ago

Hi Justin,

There is no script nor apps that can remove all Google accounts "automatically" because there will be prompt to device user to input password before Google accounts can be deleted.

There is no feature control option to block adding Google account for Android+ platform, but there is such control for Android Enterprise (see below) .

When your device is in  Android Enterprise managed-device mode, there is an MDM-generated Google account pushed onto the device, and this can be used to control what apps can be downloaded/installed from the managed Google Play store. However, configuring your Samsung/LG devices to use Android Enterprise managed-device mode must involve factory reset of the devices. 

Solution
JG
Justin Graves
7 years ago

Thanks so much. I've reached out to our Soti rep to get more info on that way to manage our Android devices. We've been using Android+ so far so I guess that's why I've been struggling with this.