How to enforce OS updates on your managed devices?

While some organizations prefer to deploy OS updates cautiously after evaluating their effectiveness and impacts, others intend to deploy OS to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and avoid compliance risks.

Updates introduce new features that can increase the productivity and efficiency of the enterprise. Postponement of updates will make the system more susceptible to security threats, including malware and cyber-attacks, which can lead to data breaches and economic loss. Also, the system may experience slower operation, increased latency, and reduced efficiency. New software and applications may not function properly with an outdated operating system, making enforcing OS updates essential.

Hexnode UEM ensures that your devices, regardless of the platform, stay updated with the latest OS versions while maintaining seamless device operations and minimizing any impact on productivity.

Deploy OS updates on your managed devices

To deploy the latest updates to your managed Android, iOS, macOS and tvOS devices:

1. Navigate to the Manage tab.
2. Select the required devices listed under the Devices sub-tab to deploy OS updates. You can also select Users/Device Groups/User Groups/Directory Services.

Or
click on the device you wish to enforce the update if the updates are to be installed only for a particular device.

3. Click on Actions and select Update OS.
   • For Android devices, provide the Update file URL and the File hash of the update ZIP file. Click on “Automatically install the update” to install the updates automatically or select “Prompt user to install the update” to allow the user to install the updates manually.
   • For iOS, macOS and tvOS devices, select Download Only to download the updates. Select Download and Install to download and install the updates over the air. You’ll additionally find the Clear Passcode to Force Update Installation option for iOS devices.
   Note:

   
   For iOS devices,

   • The user needs to type in the password on password-protected devices to further approve the update. To bypass this, enable the Clear Passcode to Force Update Installation option.
   • On selecting the Clear Passcode to Force Update Installation option, after an update, the device will remain passcode unprotected until the user sets a new passcode.

   For Android devices,

   • File hash is the output of a hashing algorithm. Hashing algorithm processes a file and reduces it to a fixed-length string. Hexnode supports the File hash generated using the hashing algorithm — MD5 hash, which is used as a checksum to verify data integrity.
   • You may use any third-party app/website or OS-dependent commands to obtain the file hash of the zip file.
   • Before uploading the Update file URL, ensure that the firmware package is bootable via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) sideload to avoid bricking the device.

4. Click on Update.

The latest updates will get installed on the target devices.