If you use an iOS device for work or school, you might need to install the Google Device Policy app as a security measure. Your administrator can use this app to keep your organization’s data secure. You’re asked to install the app if:
- Your administrator enforces certain security policies for mobile devices. Learn more
- Your administrator wants to manage corporate apps on your device. Learn more
- You try to sign in to a third-party app using the account you use for work or school.
Requirements
- Device running iOS 14 or later
- Google Workspace account
- Apple ID, formerly iTunes account
- An active version of Safari
Notes:
- Devices running older versions than iOS 14 may still be able to get an earlier release of the Device Policy app, but they won't get the latest features.
- Enable Safari in your device settings at Settings
General
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Download and set up the Device Policy app
- On your iOS device, open the App Store and search for Google Device Policy.
- Tap Google Device Policy
.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the app on your device. You might need to enter your Apple ID and password.
After you install the Device Policy app on your device, you need to set it up (see the next step).
- Tap Google Device Policy
- Select the Google Workspace account you want to use with the app. If you haven’t already signed into that account on your device, tap Add Account and enter your username and password.
- If you're a 2-Step Verification user, enter a verification code when prompted.
- Accept the Terms of Service.
- If prompted to install a security profile to keep your data safe, tap Download
.
- Complete the steps below for your iOS version.
iOS 12.2 and later
- When your web browser opens and tries to download the profile, tap Allow
- Close your web browser and open your iOS settings.
- Tap Profile Downloaded.
- Tap Install Now
- If prompted, enter your passcode and tap Install.
- Tap Install
- Tap Done. If your administrator needs to approve your device, you’ll receive an email. Wait until your administrator approves your device.
- Close your iOS settings and open the Device Policy app
iOS 12.1.3 and earlier
- Tap Allow
- If prompted, enter your passcode and tap Install.
- Each time you’re prompted, tap Install to continue.
- Tap Trust to accept Remote Management.
- When the profile is installed, tap Done.
If your administrator needs to approve your device, you’ll receive an email. Wait until your administrator approves your device. - If prompted, tap Settings and enter your Google Workspace password.
- If needed, tap Re-enter password and enter your Google Workspace password.
It can take a few minutes for your device to synchronize with the server. After you set up the Google Device Policy app, you might be prompted to enter your Google Workspace password in your device settings. If you use 2-Step Verification, use an app password instead of a regular password. For details, see Sign in using app passwords.
Manage the Device Policy app
When you unregister your account from the app, all managed apps are removed from your device.
- Tap Google Device Policy
- Tap Menu
- Tap Unregister to confirm that you want to remove all data and apps associated with your account from your device.
- Tap Unregister to unregister your account from your device.
After you unregister your account, your username remains listed in the Device Policy app and you can register again at any time.
Before you can remove your account from the Device Policy app on your device, you need to unregister your account.
- Tap Google Device Policy
- Tap Menu
.
- Select your username and tap Manage Accounts.
- Tap Manage.
- Tap Remove for the account you want to remove.
- Tap Remove to confirm.
You can delete the Google Device Policy app in the same way you delete any app from your device. When you delete the app, the managed apps and restrictions set by your administrator stay on your device.
Troubleshooting
App installation problems
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| I don't see Profile Downloaded in iOS settings. |
Set Safari as your default browser.
|
| App installation failed. App Name is not available in your country or your device. | You're trying to install an app that is either unavailable in your country or on your device type. |
| App installation failed. Please check that you are logged into your iTunes account. | Your Apple iTunes account isn’t set up properly, your password has changed, or your iTunes account has been disabled. |
| App installation failed. Please enable app installation at Settings General RestrictionsInstalling Apps. |
Your device has an app installation restriction on your device and you can’t install apps. To enable app installation, go to your device settings and tap GeneralRestrictionsInstalling Apps. |
App alerts and error messages
| Alert or Error message | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unable to open Safari | Apple Safari is disabled on your device. To install the Google Apps Device Policy profile, you need to enable Safari on your device at GeneralRestrictions. |
| New payload doesn't match old payload | You already have a management profile on your device. To fix the problem, remove the old profile by going to your device settings. Then, tap GeneralDevice ManagementGoogle Apps Device Policy Payload ProfileRemove Management. |
| You may be using a jailbroken device to access your work data, which your organization doesn't allow. |
Your device might be jailbroken—a process that removes restrictions on a device. Your administrator has blocked access to corporate data on jailbroken devices. To fix the problem, you need to reset your device to factory settings. When you reset the device, make sure to back up your data first, and select Erase All Content and Settings to fully reset the device (Reset All Settings will not fix the problem). For help with backing up your data and resetting your device, see your device’s documentation or contact your administrator. |
| Install the latest version of Google Device Policy so you can access your work data. | You’re trying to access your corporate account from a device that doesn’t have the latest Google Device Policy app installed. To continue, install the Google Device Policy app. |
| "Google Device Policy" must be updated from the App Store so that you don't lose access to your work data. | You’re trying to access your corporate account from a device that doesn’t have the latest Google Device Policy app installed. To update the Google Device Policy app to the latest version, go to Download and set up the Device Policy app. |
| Security check passed. Tap here to minimize future notifications by running "Google Device Policy." | The Google Device Policy app temporarily stopped running and restarted. You don’t need to do anything. Tap the notification to open the Google Device Policy app. |
| Couldn't automatically sync "Google Device Policy." Tap here to sync the device yourself. | The Google Device Policy app stopped syncing. Tap the notification to open the Google Device Policy app and sync your corporate account to your device. |
| "Google Device Policy" must be synced now so you don't lose access to your work data. Open Device Policy App to get work access. | The Google Device Policy app stopped syncing. Tap the notification to open the Google Device Policy app, and sync your corporate account to your device. |
| To access your work data, install this profile. Doing this helps your organization's admins protect your data, even if you lose your device. | Your administrator requires this device to be managed to access Google Workspace data. Tap to download and follow the instructions to install the security profile to register this device for mobile management. |
| App verification required (Error 403: emm_app_verification_required) | When you have advanced device management enabled, some apps might require you to connect with the Google Device Policy app to ensure that the device policy profile is installed. To continue to use the app, tap Learn More to go to the Google Device Policy app, sign in if the Google Device Policy app requests it, and then go back to the app that you were using. |
Problems syncing work data
If your work account isn’t syncing to your device, check if the Google Device Policy app is set to refresh in the background and try to sync again if needed:
To turn on Background App Refresh:
- On the device, tap Settings
- If Background App Refresh is off, tap On
.
- Open Google Device Policy
- If the device doesn't automatically try to sync, tap Sync
.
If you are trying to use a third-party app, you might need to refresh your sign in:
- Open the app and sign out the account you use for work or school.
- Sign in to the app again.
Related topics
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