Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Mobile devices are always a tempting target for cybercriminals. That’s true not just for consumers but for companies. According to Google, more than half of organizations have pointed to smartphones as their most exposed endpoint, and data breaches often occur from improper use of these devices.
In a blog post released earlier this month, Google describes the latest protections available with its Android Enterprise platform, which rolls out to most Android 16-compatible handsets, including Google Pixel phones as old as the Pixel 6.
Also: Your Android phone is getting 4 big upgrades, thanks to Android 16
Mobile devices have become popular, convenient tools among workers, as they can access email, apps and other internal business resources from anywhere. But often an employee’s phone is unmanaged and uncontrolled, leading to security weaknesses that can be exploited by hackers and attackers. Android Enterprise offers organizations and IT admins a way to better manage these devices, whether they’re company-owned or employee-owned.
Though Android Enterprise has been around for a number of years, here are some of the latest initiatives Google has introduced.
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Security features
Advanced protection: Employees can better thwart targeted attacks through strong mobile device protection. With just a single tap, they can enable multiple security features to defend against online attacks, malicious apps, unsafe websites, scam calls and other threats. This feature is accessible on Android 16 and higher but may only be available on certain devices and in specific regions.
Identity Check: This feature prevents scams such as PIN theft and shoulder surfing, in which nearby thieves can pick up the PIN or password used to access a phone. With Identity Check, signing in to the device and apps requires a biometric method, such as facial or fingerprint recognition. This feature is also available on Android 16 and higher on certain devices.
Also: 7 simple things I always do on Android to protect my privacy – and why you should too
Corporate badges in Google Wallet: Employees can add their corporate ID badge to the Google Wallet app and then use their phones to securely gain entry to NFC-enabled buildings and offices.
Secure network access with Access Point Name: Access Point Name, or APN, is a secure gateway between a mobile network and the public internet. With APN enabled, IT admins can apply custom cellular network configurations on managed devices to control how they use cellular data.
Administrative features
Android Enterprise also offers IT admins a range of tools to help them set up, manage, and track the Android devices in their workplace.
Efficient device setup: Setting up the Android devices in your organization is now easier and faster. During the setup process, you’ll encounter fewer screens, offering a more efficient workflow and fewer hiccups during initial device enrollment. This feature will be accessible on Android 16 and higher; you can contact device manufacturers to ask about availability on Android 15.
Customer portal improvements: Coming soon to the Android Enterprise customer portal are new tools to help admins set up more granular access permissions for employees with Android devices. You’ll be able to assign those permissions more easily and view detailed audit logs.
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EID access for managing eSIM: Each mobile device uses an EID (Embedded Identity Document) to activate and manage eSIMs. IT admins will be able to access the EID information from Android devices in the workplace to manage it more easily.
5G network slicing: With 5G network slicing, admins can divide single network connections into separate virtual connections to provide different resources for different types of traffic. The goal is to optimize employee access to business resources on a 5G network through virtual slices.
Support for Android app bundle files: IT admins can bundle private apps into a managed Google Play process for easier distribution to employees.
Android features
Google also touted several new and upcoming features for employees via Android Enterprise.
Material 3 Expressive: Rolling out with Android 16 is the new Material 3 Expressive design with richer animations, improved transitions, new icons and a more customizable look.
Gemini in Google Docs: Employees will be able to use Gemini via the Google Docs app on their Android devices. By tapping into the AI, they’ll be able to summarize documents, ask questions about files and draft new versions.
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This feature is rolling out to Google Workspace Business Standard, Plus and Enterprise Standard customers along with those who use Gemini Education or Enterprise add-ons, and it’s accessible on Android phones and tablets with Android 8 or higher.
Auto grouping of notifications: Employees will be able to automatically group notifications to organize and streamline them.
Desktop windowing and taskbar overflow: Designed for Android tablets, desktop windowing resizes multiple windows for easier multitasking. Taskbar overflow allows employees to sort and access all their open apps via an expandable panel.
Customize keyboard shortcuts: Employees will be able to create their own keyboard shortcuts for quicker access to various tools.
PDFs in Chrome: Employees will be able to access PDFs on Android devices through the Chrome browser.
Also: 6 hidden Android features every user should know – and how they make life easier
“Android is continually evolving to meet new business needs,” Google said in its blog post. “As organizations increasingly rely on mobile solutions, the demand for robust security, seamless collaboration and efficient management have never been higher.”
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