Rules to manage devices

Owned by Lisa Basel
Last updated: Apr 29, 2022Version comment
3 min read

Why you would use Rules?

An important use of Rules is to block the usage of unproductive apps - For example Netflix, Tiktok or Facebook when your users are expected to be using the device for productive work.

Setup your rules once and they will automatically apply to new devices enrolled based on the Device Groups they are in.

How to Create a new Rule

The FocusMDM Dashboard provides an easy step-by-step way to create (and edit) Rules. The 4 steps are:

  1. Enter a Name (mandatory) that explains what the rule does so its easy to recognize.

  2. And use the Description field (optional) to add notes about the rule so other administrators can understand what the rule is doing.

  3. Define the rule by selecting one of the options (as seen in image below)

  4. Select which devices/Device Groups or all devices are impacted by the rule

  5. Select which apps/App Groups are used for the Rule

The FocusMDM Rules

Block Apps

  • Block the usage of apps for 100% of the time (i.e. these apps can never be used on these devices)

  • You can block usage of the app just when the user is on mobile data so they can use the app on Wi-Fi. Or you can block it completely

  • The rule can be set for a group of apps or list the apps in the rule

  • The rule can apply to all devices, a group of devices or individual devices

Block apps at a given time interval

  • Block apps across a given time time interval (i.e. Block YouTube from 9am-5pm)

  • You can block usage of the app just when the user is on mobile data so they can use the app on Wi-Fi. Or you can block it completely

  • The rule can be set for a group of apps or list the apps in the rule

  • The rule can apply to all devices, a group of devices or individual devices

Block apps after usage limit has been exceeded

  • Block apps after a certain amount of data has been used (i.e. Block Facebook after 1GB of telecom data is used)

  • You can block usage of the app just when the user is on mobile data so they can use the app on Wi-Fi. Or you can block it completely

  • The rule can be set for a group of apps or list the apps in the rule (note that each app in the App Group will have the same data limit)

  • The rule can apply to all devices, a group of devices or individual devices

Block apps by setting up password

  • Once blocked an app can be unblocked by entering password so only the user who has the password can use the app

  • NOTE: Entering password will not permanently unblock the app. Once closed it becomes blocked again.

  • You can block usage of the app just when the user is on mobile data so they can use the app on Wi-Fi. Or you can block it completely

  • The rule can be set for a group of apps or list the apps in the rule

  • The rule can apply to all devices, a group of devices or individual devices

Allow adding/deleting accounts

  • On the right side of the screen you'll see an option for Google accounts

  • Stop users adding personal google mail to device

Disable VPN Service

  • Once the rule has been applied, the device user will see that the VPN icon (key) will NOT show at the top of the phone.

  • Also if the VPN is disabled, then App blocking after a set usage will NOT work as usage is not monitored accurately

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Some Rules are only supported in DO Mode

For more on this see the section on DO mode

DO Mode ONLY Rules are:

See this article