Add Enterprise Apps to Managed Google Play
Add Enterprise Apps to Managed Google Play
With Android Enterprise it's possible to host enterprise applications on Google's Content Delivery Network via the Google Play store. In this case you will benefit from the fast performance for deploying your enterprise apps and it won't impact the Silverback server performance, while at the same time keeping them private to your company. This involves creating or using an existing developer account and publish applications through Managed Play via the Google Play Console.
Requirements
- A Google Developer Account
- Access to Google Play Console
Create your Application
Note that the process is in the begging the same as submitting a public application, but in a later step you will nominate that the application is only available for organisations that you will add.
- Login with your Developer Account into https://play.google.com/apps/publish
- Click Create Application
- Choose the language of the application, enter the name of the application, and click Create
- Follow the process given by Google
You now need to enter all of the information about your application. This information will be validated by Google as it would with a Public Play Store Application, so make sure the information is valid for the APK, Store Listing, Content Rating sections.
Limit Access
It's critical that you restrict this application to users of your company, or anyone on the Play Store will be able to access it. To limit distribution to your users, please perform the following steps
- Navigate to the Pricing & Distribution section
- Scroll down to the User Programs section
- Enable Privately target this app to a list of organisations
- Select Choose Organisations
- Enter your Organisation ID and enter a Name
- e.g. LC03auxdem
- e.g. Imagoverum
- Press Done
You will your Organisation ID under Android Enterprise in your Silverback Management Console. Please refer to Android Enterprise Integration
If you do not select this, your application may be published publicly on the Play Store.
Add Application to Silverback
After the app submission is complete, login to Silverback and add your Enterprise Application
- Open Silverback Management Console
- Login as an Administrator
- Navigate to App Portal
- Choose Android or Samsung Knox
- Click new Application
- Ensure that Managed Play is set as Type
- Enter your application's information. You should receive the App Identity of the from the Android developer.
- Press Save
- After saving, you may be prompted to accept permissions on behalf of your users. This allows you to install the applications silently, as the user will not need to accept the permissions
After this process is complete, you should be able to distribute your application to your devices like any other application.