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Cisco Meraki Documentation

Installing Custom Apps on iOS and Android Devices

iOS Custom (Enterprise) Apps

Systems Manager allows for the distribution of enterprise iOS apps that are not publicly available in iTunes. Enterprise iOS apps are apps developed using the iOS Enterprise Developer Program. A valid Dun & Bradstreet (D-U-N-S) number is required to enroll in this program (more information). This program allows for development of internally created iOS apps. To deploy these in-house enterprise apps over-the-air to managed iOS clients, Systems Manager allows users to either link to a .plist file hosted on an external public server, or upload the .ipa file directly into Dashboard .

Notes: 

  • The enterprise app should be packaged using the over-the-air (OTA) method.
  • The enterprise app should be signed using a valid Enterprise distribution certificate.
    Please click here for more information on how to do this.
  • To push a free or paid iOS app from iTunes Store please use the Add a new iOS app link from the Mobile > Apps page.  
  • The enterprise app deployment method cannot be used to push free or paid iOS apps from iTunes Store to end-users. For information on deploying iTunes iOS apps, please consult the Systems Manager documentation.

Installing Custom (Enterprise) iOS Apps

Systems Manager allows for two methods of Enterprise iOS app deployment: 

  1. Specify a link to an externally hosted .plist file
  2. Host the .ipa file in Systems Manager

Specify a link to an externally hosted .plist file

a) Navigate to Systems Manager > Apps.

b) Click on Add a new enterprise iOS App link.

c) From App Location drop-down, choose Specify a manifest URL.

d) Provide a link to an externally hosted .plist  file.

e) Select a tag group to deploy the app to from the Scope field (please consult this Knowledge Base article for information on creating and assigning Tags). 

f) Save Changes and allow 1 - 2 minutes for changes to take effect.

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Notes: 

  • When a device with the same tag next checks-in with Systems Manager, the iOS device user will be prompted to install the app. The user will not need to input an Apple ID or password to download the application.
  • The .plist and .ipa files need to be hosted on a public server.
  • The app can be updated by first replacing the .plist and .ipa files on the remote server, and then by clicking on the Re-push to all link. The .plist file must contain a link to an updated .ipa file. 

Host the .ipa file in Systems Manager

a) Navigate to Systems Manager > Apps.

b) Click on Add a new enterprise iOS App link.

c) From App Location drop-down, choose Upload an IPA.

d) Choose an .ipa file from your hard drive to upload.

e) Select a tag group to deploy the app to from the Scope field (please consult this Knowledge Base article for information on creating and assigning Tags).

f) Save Changes and allow 1 - 2 minutes for changes to take effect.
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Notes:

  • When a device with the same tag next checks-in with Systems Manager, the iOS device user will be prompted to install the app. The user will not need to input an Apple ID or password to download the application.
  • To update the ipa file select Replace this file and Re-push to all.

Android Custom Apps

Applications can be pushed silently to all Android devices in both BYOD and Device Owner mode for Google Play Store apps.
To install a custom .apk silently, upload the .apk to Google's managed Play for Work Store as a private (or public) app and push it as a Google Play Store application in Systems Manager. For more information view how to manage private Android apps in Google Play

Installing Custom Android Apps

To upload custom .apk files to the managed Play Store for silent deployment please follow this Google article. Afterwards your account should be able to add that app name/identifier to the Systems Manager Apps page as a Store app. 

Additionally, there is the option to distribute the .apk file directly through the Meraki Dashboard. In Systems manager > Manage > Apps, click Add new > Android > Custom app. Fill in the fields as desired and either link to a URL where your .apk is hosted, or upload it directly to the Meraki Cloud.

See this article for information on app configuration settings.

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Note: With custom uploaded .apk apps, end users may need to accept an additional prompt (e.g. "Do you want to install this application?"). The ability to install apps may also require devices to allow unknown sources, which can be enabled from a SM profile or manually on device by enabling developer mode. To avoid these constraints, the recommendation for modern Android (11+) is to use the Google Play Store private or public app method, as this is the supported method per Google. Using this method the apps can be pushed as Google Play Store apps via SM and install silently. 

 

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