Intune with Android 8.1 without GMS doesn't connect to Intune.

Question

My customer has Zebra devices running Android 8.1 without Google Managed Services (GMS). This is fairly common configuration for things like scanners. We are trying to install Intune (Company Portal) on the devices using the sideload APK file, again typical with these devices. The Company Portal installs but never seems to connect to Intune. Looking through the logs it looks like Intune is checking to see if the device is in China or US Gov, and then check to see if some Google test pages can be reached. The pages no longer exist at Google.

The Intune documentation suggests that it should work with reduced functionality. The functionality they need at this point the limitations are acceptable.

So I'm beginning to wonder if this is the end of being able to use a Zebra device without GMS with Intune. BTW, this works just fine on SOTI and AirWatch, but the customer would like to move to Intune.

Our alternative is to install Android 8.1 with GMS and then use Android Enterprise. From my perspective that would be a better solution, but the customer would have to touch the devices.

Answer 1

@Robert Panick Thanks for posting in our Q&A. From your description, I know that you want to use android administrator method to enroll this android device, but it failed. If there is any misunderstanding, feel free to let us know.

For this issue, we appreciate your help to check some information:
1.Please make sure that you have configured the setting in Devices > Android > Android enrollment > Personal and corporate-owned devices with device administration privileges > Use device administrator to manage devices.

2.Ensure that the device is connected to the network.

If the above requirements are met, the android administrator enrollment still fails. It is suggested to try to deploy a device enrollment restriction policy that block "Android Enterprise(work profile)" to your user group.

Then check if the android administrator enrollment is successful.

Hope it will help.

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Answer 2

In response.

1. Yes "Use device administrator to manage devices" is ON. We have a few devices that are running Samsung devices that have enrolled successfully.
2. Yes, the device is connected to WiFi and is able to reach web sites using the browser.

I'll give the device type restrictions a try in the morning.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Answer 3

LuDaiMSFT-0289,

You suggestion on blocking the Enterprise Admin from the user account worked perfectly. Thank you very much, I wouldn't have found that one on my own.