Proiles | Android Launcher Layout

This article outlines how to customise and lock the app layout within the Mobile Guardian Android Launcher, providing a tailored and secure device experience for your employees.

The Mobile Guardian Android Launcher offers a focused and controlled environment by presenting users with a pre-selected set of applications. Once configured, you can lock the layout to prevent unauthorised modifications.

Key Layout Customisation Features

• Layout Locking: Secure the configured layout by preventing users from moving or uninstalling applications.
• App Folders: Organise applications into logical categories (e.g., "Productivity," "Communication") to improve navigation and declutter the home screen.
• Customisable Icons: Enhance visual clarity and user recognition by renaming applications and repositioning their icons.
• Customisable Dock: Configure a persistent row of frequently used applications at the bottom of the screen for quick access.
• Customisable Grid: Define the number of rows and columns (ranging from 4 to 8) for application display to optimise screen space.
• Launcher Title: Personalise the launcher with a title relevant to your organisation (e.g., Company Name, Department).
• Visual Theme Options: Customise the appearance with options for title background colour, title text colour, body background colour, and body text colour.
• Custom Wallpaper: Apply a consistent and branded wallpaper across your managed corporate devices.
• App Drawer: Enable an app drawer for users to access all installed applications easily.
• Web Clips: Create shortcuts to frequently accessed company web links directly on the home screen as icons.

Steps to Customise and Lock the Android Launcher Layout

Access the Android Launcher Layout Settings

• Navigate to Profiles in your Mobile Guardian portal.
• Select the profile assigned to your target corporate devices.
• Select the What tab, then click on Applications.

• Locate the Android Launcher Layout configuration options.

Add Applications

• Click the Add button next to the required application to add it to the launcher Home Screen layout.

Create Groups (Folders)

• Click New Group to create a new group folder.

• Group Icon & Label: Double-click the Group Icon to select an icon and edit the display label.
• Enter a descriptive name for the folder (e.g., "Productivity," "Sales Apps," "Communication").

• Drag and drop the desired applications from the Home Screen layout into the newly created group.

Customise Icons (Renaming & Repositioning)

Within the Android Launcher layout editor, you should be able to interact with the application icons.

• Renaming: Double-click an application icon, select Rename or Edit Label, and enter the new name for the application.

• Repositioning: Click and drag application icons to your desired location on the screen or into folders.

Configure the Dock

• Drag and drop frequently used applications from the app list onto the designated dock area at the bottom of the screen.
• Arrange the icons within the dock as needed.

Adjust Grid & Display Settings

• Grid Size: Select the number of Columns and Rows using the drop-down menus (Options range from 4 to 8).
• Title: Enter your organisation or department name in the Title field.

• Theme Colours: Adjust Title Background Colour, Title Text Colour, Body Background Colour, and Body Text Colour.
• Wallpaper: Upload or set a custom corporate wallpaper.
• App Drawer: Toggle the App Drawer on to allow access to all installed applications.
• Access Settings: Enable Allow Mobile Guardian application access. If the title bar is active, users can access the application through the menu in the top left.

• Web Clips: Add URL shortcuts to the home screen. Links will open in the Mobile Guardian Browser.

Arrange & Save Configuration

• Click New Screen to create additional home screen pages if needed, then drag applications onto the new screen.

• Save the changes made to the profile settings.
• The updated layout will apply to the target devices upon their next sync with the Mobile Guardian server.

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• Considerations and Limitations

• Icon Image Customisation: Direct replacement of application icon graphics is currently not supported; customisation is limited to renaming and repositioning.
• Dock Limitations: The dock does not integrate with or replace standard Android system dock capabilities for core communication apps like the dialer.
• User Experience: Design the layout with accessibility in mind. Logical folder groupings and clear icon names improve daily workflow efficiency for employees.
• Troubleshooting
• Layout Not Applying: Verify that the device has successfully synced with the Mobile Guardian server after saving changes, and check the device's network connectivity.
• Unable to Lock Layout: Confirm that COSU Mode is enabled in the Android settings or that the Mobile Guardian Launcher is set as the default launcher on the device.
• Folder or Icon Issues: Re-verify that settings were saved correctly in the profile and that you are interacting with the correct layout editor panel in the portal.