Custom App Management - How to remotely install custom application?

Custom App Management - How to remotely install custom application?

Custom or Private or third-party applications refer to specific apps designated for your organization's use. Your organization might prefer to keep certain apps unavailable on public platforms like the Play Store and instead require them to be pushed to device(s) as needed or when updates are necessary. WeGuard offers a remote installation mechanism for custom applications. Please note that any modifications made as outlined below will affect ALL devices within the policy.

Pre-requisites

Android devices must be running Android 6.0 or later versions and must be provisioned as Device Owner

Process to add Private App from the WeGuard Enterprise Portal

  1. Login to the WeGuard Console.
  2. Click on Policy Groups and choose the Policy.

  1. Go to App Management, and find Private Store.

  1. Click on +button, you will see 2 options:
    1. Upload APK
    2. Available Apps
  2. Click on Upload APK and click on Click here to upload, which opens file explorer.
  3. Go to the folder where you have the apk file and ensure that the apk file is a signed APK and select it. Ex:

A signed APK is essential for Android app development and distribution because:

  1. Security and Authenticity: Verifies developer identity and ensures the app hasn't been tampered with.
  2. Distribution Requirements: Required by the Google Play Store and for consistent app updates.
  3. Permissions and User Trust: Manages app permissions and builds user trust.
  4. Compatibility and Performance: Ensures device compatibility and optimized performance.
  5. Enterprise and Custom Distribution: Crucial for enterprise deployment and custom ROM compatibility.
Steps to check if the APK file is signed or not:
Set up the Android SDK: Ensure you have the Android SDK installed. The apksigner tool is located in the build-tools directory.
Open a Command Line: Open a terminal or command prompt.
Run the Command: Use the following command, replacing with the path to your APK file: keytool -printcert -jarfile 'path of the APK file'
Check the Output:
If the APK is signed, you will see a message like "Verified".
If the APK is not signed, you will see an error message indicating that the APK is not signed.

Info
An unsigned APK cannot be published, installed, trusted, updated, or fully functional, limiting its distribution and usability.
  1. Now click on Upload and make sure the file is uploaded 100 %.
  2. You will now see the application added to the list, click on SAVE AND CONTINUE to impose the policy on devices.
  3. The end user will see the pushed private application on the device provided stable network.



We hope this article was useful. Thank you for reading.

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If you need any help on this, do call up WeGuard Support at +1(737) 931-1410 Ext. 102 or  contact  WeGuard Support Email  or Initiate  Chat