Android Device Policy

Device admins who do not use a centralized device management platform face daily challenges. They must manually configure each device – a time-consuming task that can lead to mistakes. Security becomes a major concern too. Without effective device management, enforcing security policies and keeping devices up-to-date is difficult, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats.

But perhaps the biggest challenge of all is managing data usage. With smartphones and tablets being used for both personal and corporate tasks, excessive screen time and data usage can lead to lower productivity, slower device performance, security risks, and high data charges. A device device management solution helps address all these issues, making life easier for IT admins and ensuring smooth, secure, and cost-effective device management.

Entgra UEM offers a comprehensive suite of Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities to simplify administration and improve your mobile device management experience. In this blog, we’ll discuss how Entgra UEM’s App Usage Configuration policy effectively tackles the high screen time and data usage issue.

App Usage Configuration Policy

The App Usage Configuration Policy stands out as a versatile tool for managing screen time and data usage of individual applications on your Android devices. Use this policy to achieve optimal device performance and data security. 

So, what’s really exciting about this policy is that it lets you control how much data each app uses and even restrict their access when you’re on a metered network. Let’s explore how you can use this policy for each scenario in detail. 

Option 1: Network Usage Configuration Per App

You can set specific data usage limits and network restrictions for individual apps so that you have precise control over how much data each app can use and which networks they can access.

Here’s a breakdown of its key components:

• Setting Data Usage Limits: Set data usage limits for individual apps, ensuring efficient data management and cost control. Simply specify the package name of the application and allocate a specific amount of data within a defined time period (e.g., monthly) for the selected app.

• Network Restriction Options: Enforce data usage limits for mobile data, WiFi, or both, adapting to various network environments and usage scenarios. This flexibility ensures that data usage policies are applied consistently across different connectivity types, improving resource utilization.

• Post Actions for Exceeded Limits: Take control when data limits are exceeded with customizable post actions. Enable notifications to alert users when their data limits are reached, promoting awareness and responsible data usage. You can also automatically hide apps to prevent further access until the next billing cycle.

• Custom Billing Dates: If your organization follows specific billing cycles, you have the option to specify custom billing dates. This allows you to set the billing date for accurate tracking and enforcement of data usage limits aligned with your organization’s billing practices.

Option 2: Block Apps from using Metered Connection

This is the solution to use when your device is using a network with metered or limited data usage. It helps to conserve bandwidth and prevent unexpected data charges, especially in scenarios where data usage must be tightly controlled.

These are the key components:

• Simple Configuration Options: You have the flexibility to specify the applications you want to block by providing their names and package names within the policy settings. This gives you precise control over which apps are restricted from using metered connections, ensuring efficient use of network resources.

• Post Actions: Similar to the other option, you can choose to hide applications or send notifications when a specified app is blocked from using a metered connection. With the option to hide applications automatically, you can keep your environment secure by preventing unauthorized access to restricted apps. 

As you can see, our enhancements to the App Usage Configuration policy in Entgra UEM give you an easy, convenient way to manage app usage in your organization.  By setting data usage limits and network restrictions per app, you gain the power to fine-tune how applications consume data, ensuring peak device performance and cost efficiency. And with the ability to block apps from using metered connections, you can safeguard bandwidth and prevent those dreaded unexpected data charges—ideal for environments where every small saving matters.

Check out the exciting features of our latest version here. If you’re curious to learn more about Entgra UEM’s comprehensive endpoint management features, start your 14-day free trial today.