Deploying URLs as Web Apps on Android Enterprise Devices Using App Policies

You can deploy web apps via URLs on Android Enterprise devices using App Policies in Managed Google Play by doing the following:

1. Adding Android Enterprise Binding for Managed Google Play
2. Creating the App Policy
3. Deploy URL as an WebApp using Managed Google Play.
4. Edit a web app
5. Delete a web app
6. Assign the Application

If you have already configured Android Enterprise Binding in your SOTI MobiControl web console, you can skip sections A and B.

A - Adding Android Enterprise Binding

Note: An Android enterprise binding (Google Email account) is required to use Managed Google Play.

To set up an enterprise binding:

1. Navigate to Main Menu > Global Settings, then select Enterprise Binding under Android.

2. Select Add. You are redirected to Google’s Bring Android to Work wizard. Complete the wizard as directed.

B - Creating the App Policy

1. On your SOTI MobiControl web console, navigate to Main Menu > Policies > App Policies.

2. Select New App Policy and choose the appropriate family of Android devices.

3. Give your App Policy a descriptive name, then select the Apps tab.

4. Select the ADD icon.

C - Deploy URL as a WebApp using Managed Google Play

1. Select Managed Google Play as the source.

2. Choose the appropriate binding for your deployment then select Managed Google Play to open up your Managed Play store.

3. Select Web apps on the left sidebar, then the Add button (+) at the bottom-right.

4. Enter the required URL (enter an HTTPS or HTTP URL for your web app.).

1. Choose the Display Mode:
   • Full screen - The app opens in full screen mode, hiding the device's status and navigation bars.
   • Standalone - The device's status and navigation bars are visible when the app is open (default).
   • Minimal UI - The device's status and navigation bars, the app's URL, and a Refresh button are visible when the app is open. For HTTP URLs, you can only select this option.

Display mode only applies to pages belonging to the URL. If your web app's URL redirects to a different website, the site will open in a Chrome browser.

2. Select Upload, then choose your icon and click Upload again.

For best results, the icon should be a maskable, 512 x 512p JPG or 32-bit PNG.

3. At the bottom, select Create.

Web apps are usually published in 10 minutes. While an app is publishing or if publishing fails, the Web apps page lists the app as "Not available yet."

Note: Your web app must comply with Google Play developer program policies. If the title or icon you provide uses another app or entity's brand, title, logo, or name, your app may not be published.

With this method, the website (URL) will be transformed into an app that you can push to your Android device's screen as a regular application.

D - Edit a Web App

1. On the left, select Web apps.
2. Select the web app you want to edit then select Edit.
3. Make any changes then select Save changes.

Note:

• Updates usually take effect in minutes, but may take up to 24 hours to be reflected across all of your users' devices, depending on the app update settings. In some cases, users may need to clear the cache from their device's launcher app before any updates to web app titles are reflected in the launcher.
• If you edit a web app that was created before February 2022, the shape of your app icon might change. If this applies to your app, ensure that your icon format follows maskable icon guidelines.

E - Delete a Web App

Deleting a web app removes it from the Managed Google Play Store for your users. However, users who already have the app installed may still be able to access it.

1. On the left, select Web apps.
2. Select the web app you want to delete.
3. Select Delete.

F - Assign the Application (Web App)

1. Once the application is added, select Save, then save and assign to assign the app policy to the devices you wish to target.

Once the above steps are complete, you can set up a policy assignment schedule.

Reference Links:

Create web apps - https://support.google.com/work/android/answer/9147423?hl=en