How to update enterprise apps on Android devices

Enterprise apps are dedicated apps developed to be used inside an organization that could meet the enterprise requirements. These apps can be distributed either via the Hexnode portal or through the Managed Google Play. For distribution through Hexnode UEM, the app must be added to the Hexnode app repository. These apps can then be pushed directly via remote action or by setting as required apps.

Hexnode allows to update Enterprise apps on Android devices using any one of these methods:

Method 1: Replace the old APK file with the new one in the Hexnode app inventory and push it to the device.

Method 2: Push the new app (higher version) created in the Hexnode app inventory directly to the device or device group.

Method 1: Replace the old APK file with the new one in the Hexnode app inventory and push it to the device

Follow the steps mentioned below to update the app APK in Hexnode app inventory.

1. Go to Apps and search for the enterprise app you want to update.
2. Click on the app.
3. On the app details box, click on the Settings dropdown (gear icon).
4. Select Edit from the drop-down list.
5. Click on the option Change beside the APK file.
6. Upload the new app version.
7. Click Save.

• Case1

If the Enterprise app to be updated was pushed to the device via required app via Required Apps policy, the app gets updated on the device automatically, provided the policy remains associated with the device.

• Case 2

You can directly push the new version of the app to a device or device group by the Install application action.
Go to Manage > click on the device > Actions > Install Application > select the app > click Done.

Method 2: Push the new app (higher version) created in the inventory directly to the device or device group.

To install a higher version in the device, first add the higher version APK as a new app instead of replacing the old APK in the Hexnode app inventory. It can be done by:

1. Go to Apps tab and click-on Add apps.
2. Select Enterprise App and change the platform to Android.
3. Add the App Name, Category and Description.
4. Click-on the Choose file option corresponding to Choose APK file.
5. Select the new APK file and click Open.
6. Click-on Add.

This app can be pushed to the device either via Install Application action or via Required Apps policy.

1. Required Apps policy

Follow the steps given below to update the app in the device using Required Apps policy.
Create a new policy: Go to Policies > New policy > Add Policy Name and Description > Android > Required Apps > Add app > Click Save.

2. Install application action

The higher version app can be pushed to the device directly by:
Go to Manage > click on the device > Actions > Install Application > select the higher version of the app > click Done.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Failed updating Enterprise app via APK file.