Restrict app update over cellular dataSolved

Participant
Discussion
3 years ago

Hi guys… hope all are safe
Our mobile devices all come under a data plan that is quite expensive, so we want to prevent certain apps from using mobile data for updates and downloads. We want these apps to update over Wi-Fi. If we can impose a Wi-Fi data limit, that would be great too.  All devices are updated – Android 11

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Hexnode Expert
3 years ago
Marked SolutionPending Review

Hi @Luuk,
We appreciate you reaching out to us!

Unfortunately, you cannot set limits specifically for updates and downloads for an app. However, we can combine a couple of our features and achieve a result that suits your case.  Update apps only over Wi-Fi option available with the Mandatory Apps policy helps specify whether the apps should be updated only over Wi-Fi. However, this option is supported only on apps distributed via Managed Google Play on devices enrolled in Android Enterprise. To configure it,

  • Add the apps you wish to limit data usage of as mandatory apps.
  • Check the option “Update apps only over Wi-Fi“.

Enabling this option meets the first half of your requirement, now to limit data used for other functions, including downloads by the app, we can enforce network data usage restrictions for these apps.

  •  Under the same policy, select Network Data Usage Management. Click on App-wise Restrictions and add the app to configure network restrictions.

Case 1 : The device is used in an office environment and uses Wi-Fi exclusively.

  • All device functions happen over Wi-Fi. Here, we can assign a Wi-Fi data limit for the apps to restrict their data usage.
  • Set a Data Usage Restriction which restricts and notifies the user/admin when the app exceeds a daily or monthly Wi-Fi data limit.

Case 2: The device is deployed for field use and uses mobile data exclusively.

  • All device functions happen over mobile data. Since “Update apps only over Wi-Fi” option is enabled, app updates are blocked from using mobile data. Additionally, we can assign a mobile data limit for the app to limit its data usage.
  • Set a Data Usage Restriction which restricts and notifies the user/admin when the apps exceed a daily or monthly mobile data limit.

Case 3: The device is used both in an office and on the field and uses Wi-Fi and mobile data interchangeably.

  • In this case, you can set a Data Usage Restriction which restricts and notifies the user/admin when the apps exceed a daily or monthly Total data (mobile data +Wi-Fi) limit.

The apps will be installed on your target devices with the specified data usage restriction.

Hope this meets your requirements.

Ethan Miller
Hexnode UEM

  • This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  Ethan.
  • This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  Ethan.
  • This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  Ethan.
  • This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  Ethan.
  • This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  Ethan.
  • This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by  Ethan.