How to manage Google Play store apps using Intune

In this blog post, we’ll explore the process of adding, assigning, deleting, and monitoring Managed Google Play store apps through Microsoft Intune. The initial steps in applying App Protection Policies or Configuration Policies involve adding the apps and assigning them to the users.

In addition to managing Google Play Store apps through the Microsoft Intune admin center, you can also manage iOS store apps using the same platform. For more information on managing iOS store apps in Intune, refer to the blog post How to manage iOS store apps using Intune.

1. Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune

The initial step in deploying applications to end-user Android mobile devices is to add the applications to the Intune admin center. Once the applications are added, you can assign them to users for deployment.

To add applications from the Google Play Store via the Intune admin center, please follow the steps below:

Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
  • Select Managed Google Play app from the App type drop-down and click Select.
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
  • Search for the App you want to Add /manage with Intune.
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
  • Click on the App and Select Approve.
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
  • Click on Approve.
Google Play Store Intune
Click Approve one more time.
  • Select Keep approved when the app requests new permissions. This is needed to allow the app to update automatically. Click Done.
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
  • Click on Select and then Click Sync.

If you want to add multiple Google Play Store apps on Intune. You can Search for app > Approve app > Press Select button > Search for the next app > Approve > Press Select button and click on Sync button only once to Sync all Managed Google Play apps with intune to save time.

Time saving Tip
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
  • Once all the Apps are synced, you can find it under All Apps.
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune
Add Apps from Google Play Store on Intune

2. Assign Google Play store apps to users

Navigate to the “All Apps” section and choose the app you wish to assign to users. Then, click on the “Properties” tab under “Manage” and select “Edit” next to “Assignments.”

Assign Google Play store apps to users
Assign Google Play store apps to users
  • Required: Automatic installation on user’s phones; no user action is needed. (Note: The MAM solution requires manual app installation from app stores on iOS and Android.)
  • Available for enrolled devices: Assign the App to groups of users who can install the app from the Company Portal app or website.
  • Available with or without enrollment: Assign this app to groups of users whose devices are not enrolled with Intune. Users must be assigned an Intune license.
Assign Google Play store apps to users
Assign Google Play store apps to users

3. Delete Google Play Store Apps from Intune

To remove a Google Play Store app and its assignments, follow these steps: Go to “All apps,” choose the app to delete, and then right-click or click the three dots on the right-hand side, and select “delete.”

Delete Google Play Store Apps from Intune
Delete Google Play Store Apps from Intune

You can also delete the app by opening its deployment and clicking on the “Delete” button to remove the application.

Delete Google Play Store Apps from Intune
Delete Google Play Store Apps from Intune

4. Monitor Google Play Store Apps on Intune

To Monitor app installations and check their status, you can follow these steps:

  1. Login on Microsoft Intune admin center.
  2. Click All Apps.
  3. Choose the app for which you want to check the installation status.
  4. The device and user installation status can be found in the “Overview” tab or under “Monitor” with Device Install Status and User Install Status
Monitor Google Play Store Apps on Intune
Monitor Google Play Store Apps on Intune

7 thoughts on “How to manage Google Play store apps using Intune”

  1. What if you want to remove & reinstall and app, not delete it completely? What if it’s just one device you want to remove/reinstall and not all of them?

    Reply
    • User should be able to remove the app from their mobile phones. As the application is targeted as required, it will be installed again automatically. Just remove it from one device and wait, it should re-install next time the device will check-in with Intune.

      Reply
      • I finally figured out what was going on. When these android tablets (not phones) were first set up, on some of them the Company Portal App never installed – those are the ones that I had trouble with – the tablet was locked down so users could not do anything – the policies were not hitting it.

        I have learned a lot since then. Hey if anyone has questions about androids in Intune, I’ve figured a lot out!!!

        Reply
    • Hi Binduka, Please check if you are assigned to intune administrator role. If the role is already assigned, you could try creating a new app and test if you get a delete option in another published app.

      Reply
      • Yes I tested by deplying other app, Im able to delete other apps but not “Managed Home Screen” and “Intune-företagsportal” apps as delete option is greyed out

        Reply

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