Feature Comparison: Google Play EMM API and Android Management API

SureMDM facilitates device enrollment in Android Enterprise modes using both the Google Play EMM API and the Android Management API.

Here is an overview of the core features and capabilities of the Android Management API and Google Play EMM API:

The Android Management API, as the latest advancement in Android Device Management, offers an extensive range of controls for managing Android devices. It empowers administrators to efficiently configure and oversee device usage and app management. By eliminating the need for EMM developers to create, update, or maintain custom DPCs, this solution significantly reduces the effort required to integrate new features as they are introduced. Google and SureMDM actively encourage organizations to adopt the Android Management API and explore its various use cases to suit their specific requirements.

This method is ideal for organisations looking for a more comprehensive and flexible approach to managing Android devices, whether they are company-owned or BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). It supports a variety of management scenarios beyond just Google Workspace integration, making it a more versatile option for diverse Android device management needs.

The Google EMM API is specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with Google Workspace, providing robust management capabilities for devices that access corporate data. It combines the familiar user experience and app store functionality of Google Play with enterprise-focused management features.

This management mode is particularly effective for overseeing a fleet of devices that access Google Workspace. It allows administrators to enforce security policies, manage apps within the Google ecosystem, and ensure the security of corporate data accessed through mobile devices.

note

If you decide to switch between the Android Management API and Google EMM API after choosing one, devices enrolled under the current API will require a factory reset before transitioning. This process removes all configurations and data from the device and necessitates physical access. This step is mandatory to maintain proper enrollment and ensure compliance with security standards. Please review the feature set below carefully to make an informed decision.

Here is a comparison highlighting the key differences between the two management options:

Feature Comparision AMAPI - PlayEMMAPI:

Sl No.	Features in Profiles	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	Password policy	Yes	Yes
2	System Settings	Yes	Yes
3	Application Policy	Yes	Yes
4	Network Settings	Yes	Yes
5	Branding	No	Yes
6	Certificate	Yes	Yes
7	Mail Configuration	Yes	Yes
8	Wi-Fi Configuration	Yes	Yes
9	File Sharing Policy	Yes	Yes
10	ZTNA	Yes	Yes
11	OEMConfig Policy	No	Yes
12	Mobile Threat Detection *	Yes	Yes
13	Patch Profile	No	Yes
14	Compliance Policy	Yes	No

note

Mobile Threat Detection in AMAPI does not work when in Nixless enrollment

  .

• Supported Enrollment Modes:

Enrollment Modes Supported	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
DO	Yes	Yes
PO	Yes	Yes
WPCO	Yes	Yes

  .

• Supported Android Jobs:

Supported Android Jobs	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
Lost Mode	Yes	No

note

Rest of the Jobs are supported by both management types. In the Nixless enrollment of AMAPI, Jobs are not supported.

  .

• Enrollment QR Code - Fully Managed:

Enrollment QR Code - Fully Managed	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
QR Enrollment	Yes	Yes
Provisioning Settings	No	Yes
WiFi Settings	No	Yes
Advanced Configuration options	No	Yes

.

Password Policy:

Sl No.	Password Policy	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	Set Lock screen to None	No	Yes
2	Profile Type	Yes	Yes
3	Device Minimum Password Complexity	No	Yes
4	Device Minimum Password Quality	Yes	Yes
5	Device Minimum Password Length	Yes	Yes
6	Device Maximum Failed Attempts	Yes	Yes
7	Device Maximum Password Age	Yes	Yes
8	Device Enforce Password History	Yes	Yes
9	Device Maximum Time To Lock	Yes	Yes
10	Minimum Number Of Letters	Yes	Yes
11	Minimum Number of Lowercase Letters	Yes	Yes
12	Minimum Number of Uppercase Letters	Yes	Yes
13	Minimum Number of Numeric Characters	Yes	Yes
14	Minimum Number of Symbols	Yes	Yes
15	Minimum Number of Non-letters	Yes	Yes
16	Idle Time Allowed For Stronger Authentication	No	Yes
17	Require Password Unlock	Yes	No

.

System Settings

Sl No.	Device Functionality	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	Enable Kiosk Mode	No	Yes
2	System Update Freeze Periods	Yes	No
3	Screen Brightness Mode	Yes	No
4	Screen Timeout	Yes	No
5	Disallow Config Date and Time	No	Yes
6	Set Auto (Network) Time	No	Yes
7	Lock Screen Message	No	Yes
8	Set Organization Name	No	Yes
9	Disable Status Bar	No	Yes
10	Disallow Config Cell Broadcasts	No	Yes
11	Disallow Create Windows	No	Yes
12	Disallow System Error Dialogs	No	Yes
13	Disallow Fun	No	Yes
14	Disallow Mount Physical Media	No	Yes
15	Disallow Set User Icon	No	Yes
16	Disallow Ensure Verify Apps	No	Yes
17	Disallow Autofill	No	Yes
18	Disallow User Switch	No	Yes
19	Disallow Airplane Mode	No	Yes
20	Disallow Config Brightness	No	Yes
21	Set Brightness Mode	No	Yes
22	Disallow Config Screen Timeout	No	Yes
23	Disallow Ambient Display	No	Yes
24	Disallow Printing	No	Yes
25	Disallow Private DNS	No	Yes
26	Enable Common Criteria (CC) Mode	No	Yes
27	Disable Mounting Physical Media	Yes	No
28	Disable Camera	Yes	No
29	Disable Keyguard	Yes	No
30	Disable Creating Windows	Yes	No
31	Device Owner Information	Yes	No
32	Skip First Use Hints	Yes	No
33	Circle to Search	Yes	No
34	Use Scanning For Deceptive Apps	Yes	No
35	Unknown Sources	Yes	Yes
36	System Update Policy	Yes	Yes
37	Disable Screen Capture	Yes	Yes
38	Disable Safe Mode	Yes	Yes
39	Disable Factory Reset	Yes	Yes
40	Disable Volume Control	Yes	Yes
41	Ringer Mode	Yes	Yes
42	Disable Configuration of Credentials	Yes	Yes
43	Disable Modification of Accounts	Yes	Yes
44	Disable Account Management Type	Yes	Yes
45	Disable Outgoing Call	Yes	Yes
46	Disable SMS	Yes	Yes
47	Disable Microphone	Yes	Yes
48	Disable Adding User	Yes	Yes
49	Disable Removing User	Yes	Yes
50	Disable Outgoing Beam	Yes	Yes
51	Disable Wallpaper	Yes	Yes
52	Keep Screen On while Plugged in to	Yes	Yes

.

• Sync and Storage

Sync and Storage	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
Disable USB Data Signalling	No	Yes
Enable Backup and Restore	No	Yes
USB Debugging	Yes	Yes
Enable USB Mass Storage	Yes	Yes
Disable USB File Transfer	Yes	Yes

.

• Applications

Applications	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
Default Application Permission	Yes	Yes
Disable App Control	Yes	Yes
Disable Apps Installation	Yes	Yes
Disable Apps Uninstallation	Yes	Yes
Set Default SMS Application	No	Yes
Disallow Config Default Apps	No	Yes
Set Default Dialer Application	No	Yes
Enable All System Apps	Yes	Yes
Enable AE specific configurations	No	Yes
Disable Play Store Access for Unmanaged Accounts	No	Yes
Enable App Verification	Yes	No
Play Store Mode	Yes	No

.

• Location Services

Location Services	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
Disable Location Sharing	Yes	Yes
Disallow Config Location	No	Yes
Location Mode	Yes	No

.

• Device Functionality

Sl No.	Device Functionality	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	Enable Security Logging	Yes	Yes
2	Enable Network Logging	Yes	Yes

.

• Work and Personal

Work and Personal	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
Disable Cross Profile Copy Paste	Yes	Yes
Enable Cross Profile Packages	No	Yes
Managed Profile Maximum Time Off	Yes	Yes
Suspend Personal Apps	No	Yes
Disallow Share Into Managed Profile	No	Yes
Disallow Unified Password	No	Yes
Set Managed Profile Caller Id Access	No	Yes
Set Managed Profile Contacts Access	No	Yes
Cross Profile Widget Providers	Yes	Yes
Enable Cross Profile Caller ID	No	Yes
Enable Cross-profile Contact Search	Yes	Yes
Cross Profile Data Sharing	Yes	No
Disable Camera In Personal Profile	Yes	No
Disable Screen Capture In Personal Profile	Yes	No
Account Types With Management Disabled In Personal Profile	Yes	No
Play Store Mode In Personal Profile	Yes	No

.

• Message

Message	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
Short Restriction Message	No	Yes
Long Administrator Message	No	Yes

.

	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
Permitted Input Methods	Yes	No
Permitted Accessibility Services	Yes	No
Kiosk Management	Yes	No
Persistent Preferred Activity Management	Yes	No
Delegated Certificate Management	Yes	No

.

Application Policy

Sl No	Application Policy	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	Install Application	Yes	Yes
2	Install Shortcuts	No	Yes
3	Uninstall Application	Yes	No

.

Network Settings

Sl No	Network Settings	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	Proxy Settings	Yes	Yes
2	VPN Settings	Yes	Yes
3	Private DNS Settings	No	Yes

.

Certificate

Sl No	Certificate	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	Add certificate	Yes	Yes
2	Remove certificate	No	Yes

.

Wifi Configuration

Sl No.	Wifi Configuration	AMAPI	PlayEMMAPI
1	SSID	Yes	Yes
2	Security Type	Yes	Yes
3	Password	Yes	Yes
4	Auto Connect	Yes	Yes
5	Hidden Network	No	Yes
6	Disable MAC Address Randomization	Yes	Yes
7	Revoke When Not Compliant	No	Yes