In Intune’s July (2307) service release, admins will see several changes to how Managed Google Play public apps in Intune are managed. We also published a Message Center: MC591861 detailing these updates. These changes are being made so we can adopt Google’s Android Management APIs as detailed here: Android Management API | Google for Developers. Below is a list of the changes you’ll see with a few screen shots you can use to update helpdesk guidance or to share with users.
We have communicated this change through the M365 Message center, and you’ll also find it in the Intune in the Service health and message center on the tenant status blade.
IT Admin impact
If you’re using Managed Google Play apps in Intune, you’ll need to be aware of the following upcoming changes:
- When adding Managed Google Play public apps in Intune, admins will no longer need to go through the app “Approve” workflow. Instead, admins will click Select for the apps they want to add and then Sync.
- When adding Managed Google Play private apps and Google Play web links, admins will need to click Select (similar to adding public store apps) in the Managed Google Play pane to add them.
A screenshot of the Managed Google Play public apps in Intune with the old "Approve" button workflow highlighted.
A screenshot of the Managed Google Play public apps in Intune with the new "Select" button workflow highlighted.
- When adding Managed Google Play private apps and Google Play web links, admins will need to click Select (similar to adding public store apps) in the Managed Google Play pane to add them.
- All Managed Google Play apps, including private apps and web links, will automatically sync daily. This applies to previously added apps and all newly added apps going forward.
- The Managed Google Play connector page will no longer link to open the Managed Google Play Store. Apps should be added using the Managed Google Play iFrame in Apps > Android > + Add > Managed Google Play app. For more details read, Add Managed Google Play apps to Android Enterprise devices with Intune.
User impact
Your users won’t need to re-install Managed Google Play apps targeted as “uninstalled” or removed from the device by the admin until the app is targeted to the device again. This applies to all Android Enterprise enrollment scenarios.
Adopting the new APIs brings some great admin UI additions as well as the highly requested automated daily sync! We’ll keep this post updated with timelines and any additional changes as we finish adopting the new APIs!
Stay tuned to What’s new in Intune for more information about the upcoming release and any additional updates to this update! If you have any questions, let us know in the comments or reach out to us on Twitter @IntuneSuppTeam.
