This page provides an overview of the new APIs, features, and behavior changes introduced in Android 7.0 (API level 25) that affect Android in the enterprise.
QR code provisioning
Android enterprise now supports using QR codes to provision corporate-liable devices. The setup wizard now allows you to scan a QR code to provision the device.
Work profile security challenge
Profile owners can require users to specify a security challenge for apps running in the work profile. The system shows the security challenge when the user attempts to open any work apps. If the user successfully completes the security challenge, the system unlocks the work profile and decrypts it if necessary.
If a profile owner sends an ACTION_SET_NEW_PASSWORD
intent, the system prompts a user to set up a security challenge. The profile
owner can also send an ACTION_SET_NEW_PARENT_PROFILE_PASSWORD intent to prompt
the user to set a device lock.
Profile owners can choose to set the password policies for the work challenge
differently from the policies for other device passwords. For example, the
minimum length for the device challenge response can be different from the
length required for other passwords. Profile owners set the challenge policies
using the usual DevicePolicyManager
methods, such as setPasswordQuality()
and setPasswordMinimumLength().
The profile owner can also set the device lock, by using the DevicePolicyManager
instance returned by the new DevicePolicyManager.getParentProfileInstance()
method. Additionally, profile owners can customize the credentials screen for
the work challenge by using the
DevicePolicyManager
class's new setOrganizationColor() and setOrganizationName() methods.
Disable access to apps
Device owners and profile owners can temporarily suspend access to packages by
calling the new DevicePolicyManager.getPackagesSuspended() method. Owners can
use the same method to re-enable those packages.
While a package is suspended, it cannot start activities, notifications to the package are suppressed, and the app's entry in the overview screen is hidden. Suspended packages do not show in the overview screen, and they cannot show dialogs (including toasts and snackbars). They also cannot play audio or vibrate the device.
Launchers should apply a distinctive UI to suspended apps to show that the apps
aren't currently available; for example, they might render the app icon in gray.
Launchers can find out which apps are suspended by calling the new
DevicePolicyManager.getPackagesSuspended() method.
Toggle work mode
On dual-profile devices, users can toggle work mode on and off. While work mode is turned off, the managed profile is temporarily shut down. Work profile apps, background sync, and notifications are all disabled, including the profile owner app. While the work profile is disabled, the system displays a persistent status icon to remind users that they can't launch work apps. The system launcher indicates that work apps and widgets are not accessible.
Always-on VPN
Device owners and profile owners can require that work apps always connect to the network through a specified VPN. If owners set this requirement, the device automatically starts that VPN at boot time.
Owners can require use of a VPN by calling the new
DevicePolicyManager.setAlwaysOnVpnPackage() method. To find out if the owner
has set a VPN requirement, call the newDevicePolicyManager.GetAlwaysOnVpnPackage()
method.
Because the system can directly bind VPN services without app interaction,
VPN clients need to handle new entry points for always-on VPN. As before, you
can find active services by using an intent filter that matches the action
android.net.VpnService.
Users can manually set an always-on VPN client that implements VpnService
by using the Settings > More > VPN screen.
Contacts integration with work profile
Profile owners can allow local search and directory lookup of work contacts from the primary user. For example, a user can access both personal and work directory contacts from their personal dialer or contacts application (if permitted by their profile administrator).
Developers that leverage the Contact Provider can use the Enterprise Contacts API to access work profile directory entries from the primary user if allowed by policy:
ContactsContract.Contacts.ENTERPRISE_CONTENT_FILTER_URIContactsContract.Phone.ENTERPRISE_CONTENT_FILTER_URIContactsContract.Email.ENTERPRISE_CONTENT_FILTER_URIContactsContract.Callable.ENTERPRISE_CONTENT_FILTER_URIContactsContract.Directory.ENTERPRISE_CONTENT_URIContactsContract.Directory.isEnterpriseDirectoryId()
Profile owners can control the visibility of work contacts in the primary user using the following new methods:
DevicePolicyManager.setCrossProfileContactsSearchDisabled()DevicePolicyManager.getCrossProfileContactsSearchDisabled()
Remote reboot
Device owners can remotely reboot devices. In some cases, devices deployed in
public places inside enclosures can prevent access to the power button. If a
device needs to be rebooted, administrators can do so using the new
DevicePolicyManager.reboot() method.
Location off switch
Users can disable location permissions for work apps while continuing to access location information in their personal apps. A separate location access switch in Location Settings allows users to deny location updates or last-location queries for apps running in the work profile.
The top level location off switch disables location access for both the primary profile and the managed profile.
Customized provisioning
An application can customize the profile owner and device owner provisioning flows with corporate colors and logos.
DevicePolicyManager.EXTRA_PROVISIONING_MAIN_COLOR: Customizes flow color.DevicePolicyManager.EXTRA_PROVISIONING_LOGO_URI: Customizes the flow with a corporate logo.
Multiple Wi-Fi CA certificates
Profile owners and device owners can set multiple CA certificates for a given
Wi-Fi configuration. When corporate Wi-Fi networks have separate CAs for
separate access points with the same SSID, IT administrators can include all
relevant CAs in the Wi-Fi configuration using the new method setCaCertificates().
APIs added are:
WifiEnterpriseConfig.setCaCertificates()WifiEnterpriseConfig.getCaCertificates()
Customized lock screen message
Device owners can provide owner information to be shown on the lockscreen. This
information takes precedence the user lock screen message (if one is set). New
DevicePolicyManager
methods are:
setDeviceOwnerLockScreenInfo()getDeviceOwnerLockScreenInfo()
Work profile connection service
Profile owners can specify a work dialer application that uses a work-specific
ConnectionService for the
calling backend (calling accounts). The work dialer maintains a work-only call
log and relies on work contacts only. Users have a consistent in-call UI
experience regardless of dialing application. Incoming work calls to the work
calling accounts are distinguished from personal incoming calls to the personal
calling accounts.
The dialer should check for the new flag android.telecom.Call.PROPERTY_WORK_CALL
to determine if a call is a work call. If a call is a work call, the dialer
should indicate this, such as by adding a work badge.
Lock down wallpaper
A new user restriction (DISALLOW_SET_WALLPAPER) prevents the user from
changing their wallpaper. The device owner or profile owner can still change
the wallpaper, but they can only change the wallpaper for the user or profile
they control. For example, a profile owner can’t change the wallpaper of the
parent user, but a profile owner in the primary profile or device owner can.
A profile owner or device owner that wants to change the wallpaper should check
whether the user or profile they manage has a wallpaper
(isWallpaperSupported())
and whether they are allowed to change it (with the new method
WallpaperManager.isWallpaperSettingAllowed()).
Lock down user icon
A new user restriction (DISALLOW_SET_USER_ICON) prevents the user from changing
their user icon. The user’s device owner or profile owner can still change the
icon. However, a profile owner can only change the user icon for the profile it
controls.
Device health monitoring
A device owner or profile owner can use the new HardwarePropertiesManager
interface to retrieve information about device health, such as CPU or GPU
temperatures and CPU usage. The new monitoring interface is especially useful
for monitoring unattended devices running in a remote location.