As CSSI’s technical team has provided support for enterprise mobility customers upgrading their mobile devices to Android 14, we have encountered a number of issues and ‘watch-outs’. If you have a fleet of devices and are planning to update (and we do recommend that you stay current with Android!), consider some of the following observations and issues to help ease your upgrade.
CSSI is always available to provide technical support to help you get through the upgrade process. Use of mobile device management tools and expertise will be very helpful to you in executing an upgrade in order to minimize hands-on time needed with each device.
Planning to Upgrade to Android 14?
Here are some tips on what you can expect when upgrading your existing fleet of enterprise devices.
1. The Android upgrade is a full OS installation.
The devices will reboot to a factory reset state. You will need to back up your current configuration settings and redeploy them after the update. If you are using a WMS server to manage the devices, you may need to re-enroll the devices into your WMS Server.
2. Large file alert!
The Full Update version of Android 14 has firmware files which are around 2GB in size. If you have a large number of deployed devices, you will need to plan the best way to push these files without tying up your network for excessive amounts of time. There may need to be updates or changes, depending on your firmware upgrade deployment method. Once you are at Android 14, you can deploy smaller size incremental files to upgrade your devices.
3. Running an older version of Android? Multiple Hops May Be Required
Some manufactures will require you to do multiple upgrades to get to Android 14. For example, you will need to upgrade to a version of Android 11 to install some required files, before you can upgrade to Android 14. CSSI can help you sort out the necessary upgrade path based on your current devices.
Don’t forget to build in a plan for testing — you will want to make sure that your pre-Android 11 applications will run properly in 11 or higher. If you are still on Android 10, you may need to make changes to your current staging and application versions to meet Android’s Scoped Storage requirements and validate everything is working correctly before upgrading to Android 14.
4. Special Issues with Full-Screen Tablets/Vehicle Mounted Devices
On Full screen tablets and Vehicle mounts, Android 14 presents a Recent App bar that needs to be removed or hidden, as it will be displayed even if a lockdown screen is being used. We have encountered this issue with several customers using VMU’s and tablets. We have created successful workaround methods, so if you encounter this issue when testing, contact CSSI for technical support.
5. Staging Tool Upgrades Needed?
Note that you may have to upgrade your Staging Tool to generate new configuration files or barcodes for Android 14. This will be dependent upon the devices you are using and the manufacturer’s handling of 14. CSSI can help.
Best Practice: Stay Current with Android!
There are changes with each Android OS version release, sometimes significant changes which can impact your applications. Many of the changes are driven by security concerns and keeping your data and applications safe. It is essential you keep your devices as close as possible to the most current release of the latest annual Android OS version.
Staying at the same version too long only makes it harder to eventually get current or upgrade to new devices, and while you can delay, you may eventually run out of runway when purchasing new devices. Some of the newer enterprise handhelds and tablets do not have the ability to downgrade below Android 11. You will need to keep this in mind when you are ready to do a device refresh, as you won’t be able to purchase and deploy new devices if you can’t run your applications in 14.
Ready To Discuss Your Plan for Android 14?
If you would like help or support with upgrading to Android 14, please contact CSSI for assistance. We can provide a range of services, from overall review of your environment and helping you craft a plan, to running the entire upgrade process for you.