Overview
Zebra OEMConfig is an administrative tool for configuring Zebra Android devices using Android Managed Configurations. To configure a feature for which no Android Enterprise API is available, the use of Managed Configurations is the only available method based on publicly available specifications developed by Google and the Android community. OEMConfig interfaces with Zebra's Mobility Extensions Management System (known simply as MX), an XML-based communication framework for managing the capabilities and behaviors of Zebra Android devices.
Over time, many of the capabilities once available only through proprietary mechanisms such as MX have been added by the Android development community. Starting as "Android for Work," these capabilities are now available as "Android Enterprise" APIs or Android Managed Configurations, both of which are based on publicly available specifications. Zebra is adopting both as part of the natural evolution of its device management system.
Using OEMConfig
OEMConfig provides a single interface for managing Zebra Android devices regardless of the underlying APIs required to get the job done. OEMConfig works through Android Enterprise APIs when possible, and through Managed Configurations when no Android Enterprise API is available.
OEMConfig and the Zebra schema are available from the Google Play Store and must be used together to configure Zebra Android devices. The Schema defines the functions available for configuration and provides the data necessary to present the corresponding data-driven UI for configuring those functions. This mechanism allows Zebra to make a new Schema available as soon as new features are available for use.
What's New in v10.1
IMPORTANT: Due to changes in the Google managed configuration specification, the Zebra OEMConfig schema for version 10.0 includes default values ONLY for hidden restriction types; the Zebra schema no longer includes default values for non-hidden restriction types.
Device Support
- Supports all Zebra devices running Android 7.x Nougat, Android 8.x Oreo and Android 10.1.
New Features
Supports MX 10.1, adding the following features and enhancements:
- Control device screen orientation:
- Auto-rotation (on/off)
- Control battery settings:
- State of battery saver mode (on/off)
- Set battery percentage to automatically turn on Battery Saver Mode
- Control Zebra RxLogger debugging tool:
- Start, stop and configure RxLogger
- Capture snapshot of data collected by RxLogger, store in a predefined location
- Redirect RxLogger debug logs to server
- Specify FTP/FTPs server URI to upload captured RxLogger snapshot
- Audit Logging:
- Enable secure logging via EMM or Device Policy Controller “TestDPC” app
- Configure OEMConfig blackList or serviceAction managed configuration
- Perform secure logging for blackList or serviceAction managed configurations
- Use EMM/TestDPC to retrieve security logs
- Supports SimulScan in DataWedgeStep configuration
- Support for multiple languages in EKB Step configuration
IMPORTANT: The MX features listed above are supported ONLY on devices with MX 10.1 or later. Which version is installed?
For a detailed list of configuration parameters, see the Managed Configurations section.
Version History
Added in v10.0
IMPORTANT: Due to changes in the Google managed configuration specification, the Zebra OEMConfig schema for version 10.0 includes default values ONLY for hidden restriction types; the Zebra schema no longer includes default values for non-hidden restriction types.
Device Support
- Supports all Zebra devices running Android 7.x Nougat, Android 8.x Oreo and Android 10.0.
New Features
- Supports MX 10.0, adding the following features and enhancements:
- Enable/Disable “YES” button available for selection by a device user on the "Secure Start-up" dialog box after changing the device lock-screen password, PIN or swipe pattern in devadminStep configuration. If "YES" is pressed, the same password, PIN or pattern that protects access to the Android Launcher app also would be applied to protect the device start-up process, preventing the device from booting if restarted.
- Support for A/B streaming of OsUpdate Actions in fotaStep configuration.
- Support for Permission Access Configuration for an application in permissionAccessStep configuration.
- Support for CSP Function Group Action in serviceAccessStep configuration. A Function Group is a set of functions that an administrator can designate as "sensitive" and worthy of protection from unauthorized use by apps.
- Support for Dual-SIM Dual Standby feature in wwanStep configuration, which automatically selects which SIM card to use for cellular service based on preferences set in the Call, Data, Message and SIM subscription parameters.
- Now displays SUCCESS/FAILURE results of Managed Configuration Actions.
- Logging information sent to Google feedback channel is also now stored in logcat for off-line access.
IMPORTANT: The MX features listed above are supported ONLY on devices with MX 10.0 or later. Which version is installed?
For a detailed list of configuration parameters, see the Managed Configurations section.
Added in v9.3
Due to changes in the Google managed configuration specification, the schema for OEMConfig 9.3 (and higher) includes default values ONLY for hidden restriction types; the Zebra schema no longer includes default values for non-hidden restriction types.
Device Support
- Supports all Zebra running Android 7.x Nougat, Android 8.x Oreo.
- Supports devices available as of Dec. 31, 2019 running Android 9.x Pie.
New Features
- Supports MX 9.3, adding the following features and enhancements:
- Applications can now be configured to handle background data on a per-app basis
- Bluetooth now allows rules to be enforced based on Bluetooth MAC address
- GMS Configurations can now activate limited set of GMS apps
- GPRS Configurations now support APN protocol roaming
- Power Configurations can now control individual device wake-up sources such as buttons or keyCodes
- Audio Configurations now allow selection of whether the device plays a sound when a battery charger is connected
IMPORTANT: Features listed above are supported ONLY on devices with MX 9.3 and higher. Which version is installed?
For a detailed list of configuration parameters, see the Managed Configurations section.
Added in v9.2.2.3
For Enrollment Configuration, now supports configurable items defined in a plug-in CSP.
Now supports MX 9.2, which adds the following features:
- Device Administration Configuration: Reserve and Unreserve UI
- Display Configuration: Control display size and font size
- Wireless WAN Configuration: Supports WWAN advanced features
- Wakeup Configuration: Control wake-up source method
- Service Access Configuration: Control access by apps to specific CSPs
- Worry Free WiFi Configuration: Supports Worry Free Wi-Fi password features
- DataWedge Configuration: Supports restrictions
- File Manager Configuration: Supports use of the hyphen (-) character in file names.
IMPORTANT: Features listed above are supported ONLY on devices with MX 9.2 and higher. Which version is installed?
See Also
- FAQ | Frequently asked questions about OEMConfig
- OEMConfig Managed Configurations | Descriptions of all configurable functions