Schedule to Approve, Block or Wipe mobile devices in Google Workspace

Introduction

In this article, you will explore how to schedule to approve, block or wipe mobile devices. In today's digital age, mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives, both personally and professionally. Managing these devices, especially in a business environment, is crucial to ensure security, productivity, and efficiency. Google Workspace offers a powerful Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, and with the help of xFanatical Foresight, managing and controlling mobile devices has never been easier.

Understanding Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Before diving into the intricacies of scheduling approvals, blocks, or wipes for mobile devices in Google Workspace, let's first gain a solid understanding of what MDM entails. MDM refers to the administrative control and management of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, within an organization. It encompasses various aspects, including device enrollment, configuration, security policies, app management, and more.

Features of Google Workspace Mobile Device Management

• Google Workspace offers a comprehensive set of features for mobile device management, empowering organizations to maintain control and security over their devices. One of the key features is the ability to enforce passcode requirements on devices.
• Another important feature is the ability to enforce encryption on devices. Encryption adds an extra layer of security by scrambling data, making it unreadable to unauthorized individuals.
• Google Workspace mobile device management also allows IT administrators to configure advanced security policies, such as disabling app installations from unknown sources or restricting access to certain applications. By implementing these policies, devices are protected against malware and other security threats.

Setting up Mobile Device Management in Google Workspace

1. Go to the Google Admin console.
2. From the main menu, select Devices.
3. Choose Mobile and endpoints devices.
4. Click on Settings.
5. Follow the prompts to configure the necessary settings, such as enabling mobile device management and selecting the desired level of control.

Admins can enroll devices in the management system once mobile device management is enabled.

• Google Workspace offers a comprehensive solution of Mobile Management Management (MDM). In Google Admin Console > Devices > Mobile and endpoints, you can approve, block, unblock, or delete a managed device as well as remove corporate data from a mobile device.

As such, scheduling these actions may be necessary in certain circumstances. And scheduling MDM is not a functionality that Google Admin Console provides.

• Schedule to approve a user owned mobile device only on the first day of a summer intern.
• Schedule to wipe the account from a device if the device is still not synced after 45 days.
• Schedule to delete a device from the list when a summer intern leaves the organization.

If you constantly check in the mobile device list and do a minor task, your time may be fragmented and wasted. Planning ahead and combining tasks is a way to improve productivity in time management.

Introducing xFanatical Foresight Automation tool

xFanatical Foresight Automation tool is a comprehensive MDM tool specifically designed to enhance the mobile device management capabilities within Google Workspace. With Foresight, administrators can gain granular control over their organization's mobile devices, ensuring compliance, security, and seamless operations. 

Now, let's explore how xFanatical Foresight enables scheduling approvals, blocks, or wipes for mobile devices.

Video Demo

Rule Creation

• Schedule to Approve a mobile device

One of the key features offered by Foresight is the ability to schedule approvals for new mobile device enrollments. This feature allows administrators to review and approve device registrations at a convenient time, ensuring that only authorized devices gain access to the organization's resources. With Foresight, administrators can easily customize approval workflows, set up automated email notifications, and streamline the entire approval process.

1. Log in to your xFanatical Foresight account with your Google Admin account.
2. Go to the Rules page.
3. Click the blue button at the bottom right to create a new rule.
4. In the Select a trigger screen, select Time trigger.
   • Time trigger means to do some actions once in the future.
5. Click Next.
6. In the Select an action screen, select Approve mobile device action.
7. Choose the Device ID from the Device ID field and enter the user's primary ID in the User Primary ID field.
8. Click Review.
9. Enter the Rule name, click Create.
10. The rule has been created. It will execute at the specified time to approve the mobile device.
    xFanatical Foresight rule graph to Schedule approving a mobile devicein Google Workspace

• Schedule to Block a mobile device

1. Go to the Rules page.
2. Click the blue button at the bottom right to create a new rule.
3. In the Select a trigger screen, select Time trigger.
4. Click Next.
5. In the Select an action screen, select Block mobile device action.
6. Select the Device ID from the Device ID field and enter the user's primary ID in the User Primary ID field.
7. Click Review.
8. Enter the Rule name, click Create.
9. xFanatical Foresight will automatically block the mobile device at the specified time, changing its status to Blocked and preventing it from syncing with corporate data.
   xFanatical Foresight rule graph to Block mobile device  in Google Workspace

• Schedule to Delete a mobile device

1. Go to the Rules page.
2. Click the blue button at the bottom right to create a new rule.
3. In the Select a trigger screen, select Time trigger.
4. Click Next.
5. In the Select an action screen, select Delete mobile device action.
6. Enter the Device ID and User's primary email.
7. Click Review.
8. Enter the Rule name, click Create.
9. xFanatical Foresight will automatically delete the mobile device at your specified time.
   xFanatical Foresight rule graph to Schedule Delete mobile device in Google Workspace

• Schedule to Unblock a mobile device

1. Go to the Rules page.
2. Click the blue button at the bottom right to create a new rule.
3. In the Select a trigger screen, select Time as the trigger.
4. Click Next.
5. In the Select an action screen, select Unblock mobile device action.
6. Enter the Device ID and User's primary email.
7. Click Review.
8. Enter the Rule name. Click Create.
9. Foresight will automatically unblock mobile device at specified time, restoring status to Approved.
   xFanatical Foresight rule graph to Schedule Unblock mobile device in Google Workspace

• Schedule to Wipe a mobile device

1. Go to the Rules page.
2. Click the blue button at the bottom right to create a new rule.
3. In the Select a trigger screen, select Time as the trigger.
4. Click Next.
5. In the Select an action screen, select Wipe mobile device action.
6. Enter the Device ID and User's primary email.
7. Select the Device wipe type option: either Wipe an account from the device or Wipe the device.
   • Note: Both options may not be available. This depends on the device type and your level of device management (basic or advanced). Check the available options for the device in your Google Admin Console first.
8. Enter the Rule name. Click Create.
9. xFanatical Foresight will send a request to Google services to wipe the mobile device. Google services will promptly initiate the device wipe, indicating the status as Account wiping or Wiping. Once the wipe is complete, the status will update to Account wiped or Wipped. For detailed instructions, refer to Google's documentation on device wiping.
   xFanatical Foresight rule graph to Schedule Wipe mobile device in Google Workspace

Conclusion

Efficient mobile device management is vital for organizations to maintain control, security, and productivity. xFanatical Foresight Automation tool  proves to be a valuable asset in achieving these goals within Google Workspace. Its ability to schedule approvals, blocks, and wipes for mobile devices simplifies the management process and enhances security. By leveraging Foresight Automation Tool, businesses can streamline their mobile device management strategies and focus on their core objectives.

Try a 14-day free trial with Foresight and manage your tasks. 

Here are some other Foresight workflow automation examples you might be interested in

• Automated Welcome Email to Google Workspace New Users
• Automatically Assign New Users to Groups in Google Workspace
• Automatically Suspend Inactive Users in Google Workspace
• How to automate offboarding workflows in Google Workspace 
• Automatically Share Calendars To New Group Members In Google Workspace
• Auto Add Users To Groups After Changing User’s Organization Unit
• Suspend Google Workspace users by Schedule
• Delete Google Workspace Users By Schedule
• Auto Block and Wipe Inactive Mobile Devices in Google Workspace