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PowerApps Camera Access Fails on Keyence and Blackview Devices – Works on Zebra and Samsung

FR
Fabian Reder
eikonasystemsschaeflein

Hello everyone,

we're currently facing a frustrating issue and hope someone here might have a solution.

We use Microsoft PowerApps on our rugged handhelds and scanners to capture photos of damaged goods.
The app works perfectly on Zebra and Samsung devices, but on Keyence and Blackview, the camera cannot be accessed within PowerApps.

Some important context:

  • All devices are enrolled in SOTI MobiControl with the same profile and policies

  • The camera function is enabled in the Feature Control settings

  • Other camera apps (like Camera for Android) work without any issues on all devices

  • If we unenroll the devices from SOTI, PowerApps can use the camera without problems

This leads us to believe the issue might be related to OEM-specific implementation or how SOTI handles PowerApps permissions per manufacturer.

We have already invested countless hours trying to troubleshoot and resolve this issue, without success.

👉 Has anyone experienced a similar issue?
👉 Is there any known solution or workaround to enable PowerApps camera access for Keyence or Blackview devices?

Any ideas or guidance would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Keyence Devices ANDROID ENTERPRISE camera access powerapps
3 months ago
SOTI MobiControl
ANSWERS
RR
Richard Rosso
3 months ago

It does sound like your assumption is correct. I would personally open a technical support request with Soti to investigate it further with their engineering group. 

FR
Fabian Reder
3 months ago

Hi Richard,

thanks for confirming my assumption – that’s reassuring to hear.
Opening a technical support request with SOTI sounds like the next logical step, especially if this could be an OEM-specific handling issue within MobiControl.

I’ll prepare a detailed case for their engineering team including logs and device behavior comparisons between the working (Samsung/Zebra) and non-working (Keyence/Blackview) devices. Hopefully that will shed more light on where the permission is being blocked.

Thanks for pointing me in that direction!

RC
Raymond Chan Diamond Contributor
3 months ago (edited 3 months ago)

Are the other camera apps (like Camera for Android) disabled from running normally when The camera function in  Feature Control setting is disabled on your Keyence or Blackview devices?

 

It is highly unlikely that MobiControl will implement something specific against some particular apps of similar app domain, or against particular brand of Android-Enterprise devices.  The control mechanism/API's are basically universal for all device systems compliant to AE standards defined by Google.    As the PowerApps camera access works fine for big brand devices from Zebra and Samsung,  I believe your problem likely stems from bugs in the problematic device firmware, or improper settings (e.g. app permissions, restrictions, etc.)  configured on the device.  Haven't you contact technical support of Keyence or Blackview?

 

FR
Fabian Reder
3 months ago

Hi Raymond,

good question. Yes – if I disable the camera function in Feature Control for the Keyence or Blackview devices, then other camera apps like Camera for Android also stop working as expected.

The strange thing is that with the camera function enabled, other apps can access it normally – but PowerApps still can’t. That’s why I suspect there’s some interaction between MobiControl’s policy handling and how PowerApps requests camera permissions, which might differ per OEM.

If you know of any specific diagnostic steps to trace permission requests from PowerApps in MobiControl, I’d be happy to try them.

RC
Raymond Chan Diamond Contributor
3 months ago

Hi Fabian

Is the PowerApps camera app deployed when lockdown/kiosk mode is enabled.   If so, there is a possiblity that some pop-up GUI items requesting device end-user to perform some app permission or other set-up(s) got blocked.    If you are not sure, I suggest you to disable lockdown/kiosk, and reinstall PowerApps camera again, and see if there is any improvement.

 

 

T
TLMOD@SOTI
3 months ago

Hi Fabian,

Thanks for posting on SOTI pulse. Thanks Raymond for responding to the post, your expertise and willingness to help are greatly appreciated!

Has your query been resolved? If not, or if you have any additional concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are dedicated to providing assistance and support. 

FR
Fabian Reder
3 months ago

Hello TLMOD-SOTI,

thank you very much for your interest in helping us solve this issue.
At the moment, we assume that it might be necessary to reach out directly to the manufacturer (e.g., Keyence) to check if there is a specific OEM extension available for SOTI.

Best regards,

Fabian

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