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How to add Mobile Guardian Custom Extension

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This document entails two major processes required in ensuring your student devices seamlessly update to the latest Mobile Guardian Chrome Extension:

Both steps are required due to the changes implemented by Google in the transition from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3.

Blocking the existing Mobile Guardian extension.

Access Google Workspace Admin Console:

  • Open your web browser and navigate to the Google Workspace Admin Console.
  • Once logged in, select Devices on the left-hand navigation menu.

Navigate to Chrome Management:

  • Under the "Devices" section, expand Chrome.
  • Click on Apps & extensions.
  • Then, select Users & browsers.

Choose Your Organisational Unit (OU):

  • You'll see your organizational structure on the left side of the screen. Select the specific Organisational Unit (OU) where you want to deploy the new custom extension. This ensures the update applies only to the relevant student devices.

Blocking the existing extension:

Select the existing extension and navigate to the Installation Policy setting.

Select the Installation Policy drop-down and select BLOCK

Once selected and the settings are saved. Ensure the Installation Policy has changed to BLOCK on the Mobile Guardian Extension. 

You may now proceed to add the Mobile Guardian Custom Extension. 

 

Creating the New Custom Extension

Within the same page as above. Follow the instructions below to assist in creating the Custom Extension to ensure seamless compatibility for your ChromeOS devices:

Add the Custom Extension:

  • On the right-hand side of the "Apps & extensions" page, locate and click the yellow circle/plus button (usually in the bottom right corner).
  • From the options that appear, select Add Chrome app or extension by ID.

Enter Extension Details:

A new window will pop up. Here, you'll need two pieces of information from your Mobile Guardian Dashboard:

  • Extension ID: You'll find this on the Chrome settings tab within your Mobile Guardian Dashboard. Enter it into the "Extension ID" field.

  • Custom URL: After adding the Extension ID, select the drop-down menu for "From a custom URL" and then enter the Custom URL (also found on your Mobile Guardian Dashboard) into the provided field.
  • Click Save.

 

Force Install the Extension:

  • Once saved, you'll see the newly added extension visible in the list of applications and extensions for your selected OU.
  • Locate the new extension in the list. Under the "Installation policy" column for this extension, click the drop-down menu and change the setting to "Force install". This ensures the extension is automatically deployed to all devices within that OU.

Verify on a Device:

  • To confirm the update has been successful, log in to a student ChromeOS device within the updated OU.
  • Open the Chrome browser.
  • Click the three-dot "burger" menu in the top-right corner.
  • Go to Extensions and then Manage Extensions.
  • Check if the new Manifest V3-compliant Mobile Guardian extension is listed and enabled.

  • On the device About screen, you will be able to see the App Version Number

 

Following these steps will ensure your ChromeOS devices continue to operate securely and seamlessly with Mobile Guardian.

 

We hope you found this article useful.

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