Hi
There's been variations of this post but none of the answers are satisfying or appear to work properly.
I want to permanently - and I mean permanently - block downloads of several social media apps on my android device. I don't want them on my phone at all and I never want to look at them. I don't want to be (easily) able to turn off the blocking, so a blocker app is no good if I have to go in and change a few codes and buttons. It needs to be a large number of complex steps to do this - e.g. for my PC i did this via registery editor. It's undoable but it would be complex and take a fair bit of time to look up and figure out - so I have easily deterred myself with this method. I need equivalent for android. If it is completely undoable, this is a bonus.
Parental controls do not work because there seems to only be blunt ways of blocking apps with certain ratings - not specific apps. If there are browser versions I don't mind accessing them occasionally, but my usage is high with apps. I cannot maintain self control about re-downloading the apps, I've tried this for a year. I am very well controlled in all other elements of my life, so just inb4 anyone does one of those "you just need to work on self control"
I would be quite happy to pay for a blocker app - as long as it works as above - and I cannot access it. Happy to use the "friend types in the password and doesnt tell me" method so I can block apps on it, but it has to be able to specifically block apps from being on my system.
Any suggestions?
Pixel 4XL, Android 12
As an admin, you can prevent users from installing mobile apps that aren't managed. An app is managed when you add it to the Web and mobile apps list. Note: These settings don't remove or block apps already installed on devices. To prevent app access to Google services, you can use app access control: Supported editions for this feature: Frontline; Business Plus; Enterprise; Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Education Plus; G Suite Basic and G Suite Business; Cloud Identity Premium. Compare your edition
Requires advanced mobile managementBlock unmanaged Android app
installation
To apply the setting to everyone, leave the top organizational unit selected. Otherwise, select a child organizational unit.
- Click Apps and data sharingAvailable apps.
- Select Only allowed apps.
- Click Save. If you configured a child organizational unit, you might be able to Inherit or Override a parent organizational unit's settings.
Changes can take up to 24 hours but typically happen more quickly. Learn more
Block unmanaged iOS app installation
Supported editions for this feature: Enterprise; Education Standard and Education Plus; Cloud Identity Premium. Compare your edition
Supervised company-owned iPhones and iPads only
- Click Apps and servicesApp installation.
To apply the setting to everyone, leave the top organizational unit selected. Otherwise, select a child organizational unit.
- Uncheck the Allow users to install apps box. When unchecked, users can't access the App Store and apps bought on other devices can't download automatically. Users can still download allowed apps through the Google Device Policy app.
Click Save. If you configured a child organizational unit, you might be able to Inherit or Override a parent organizational unit's settings.
Changes can take up to 24 hours but typically happen more quickly. Learn more
Related topics
- Manage mobile apps for your organization
- Control which third-party & internal apps access Google Workspace data
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