IBM MaaS360

IBM MaaS360

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  • 1.  Apps using WiFi Only

    Posted Fri February 10, 2023 02:56 AM

    Is it possible to configure an app (Android) to only work using WiFi rather than mobile data? 

    For example. If we wanted to allow staff to use Spotify but only while connected to WiFi ? Not sure if this is even possible. 

    Our devices are 'Device Owner' fully managed. 

    Thanks

    Andy



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    Andy Flatman
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  • 2.  RE: Apps using WiFi Only

    Posted Mon February 13, 2023 04:24 AM

    Hi Andy

    What you are looking for would be done as a configuration within an app and would not be managed by the Android OS. 

    There are ways of doing this: 

    • Using a custom app attribute (where you set up an attribute on the MaaS360 App Catalog where the attribute already exists inside the app and you set the corresponding value). This depends on such an attribute existing and you configuring the value for the attribute on the app in the Catalog. You can use MaaS360 App Config to include the configuration to the app when distributed (needs to be done in advance of distribution). For more information: 

    https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/maas360?topic=overview-managing-app-attributes

    • Alternatively you can use AppConfig. This is an industry standard and works for Android Enterprise. The configuration is taken from the app provider (they will have guidance on this). Provided an app provider has provided this type of configuration you can use MaaS360 App Config to push the configuration to the app when distributed from the store (needs to be done in advance of distribution). For more information: 

    https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/maas360?topic=catalog-setting-up-app-configurations

    I hope this information is useful. If you want to request a new feature such as this for MaaS360 Android policy configurations you can request via https://ideas.ibm.com (remember to log in with your IBMid). 

    Best



    ------------------------------
    Eamonn O'Mahony
    Technical Client Success Manager
    IBM Security
    Dublin, Ireland
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Apps using WiFi Only

    Posted Tue February 14, 2023 02:57 AM

    Thanks Eamonn - I'll look into this. 



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    Andy Flatman
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Apps using WiFi Only

    Posted Mon February 13, 2023 08:13 AM

    Andy, I have been advising companies for years to remember that makers of Android devices and Apple prioritize their devices as consumer centric first.  That being said, neither Apple or Android vendors or Google will falter in maximizing the end user experience before they look at security and management controls. 

     

    Of course, security and enablement of management controls is a strong priority for the device makers and they will deliver needed api's and o/s related functionality. However, ultimately if providing the security functionality comes at a cost of sacrificing what they have determined is an important component of the end user experience, that functionality will not be delivered. 

     

    I personally do not see the level of control you are looking for, related to WIFI required for a specific app, happening any time soon.  iOS supervised devices can force configured Wi-Fi but this cannot be allocated to the usage of a specific app only. 

     

     

    Thanks,

     

    Mitch Lauer

    connecTel  Wireless              

    216-970-6981 | Cell-US          416-801-1327 | Cell-Canada  

    412-339-5775 | Help Desk     412-339-5765 | Direct Dial

     




    Original Message


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