# How to publish enterprise apps as private apps in Google Play Store?

Last updated: July 24, 2026

Publishing enterprise apps privately in Google Play Store requires a Google Play Developer account, obtained with a one-time registration fee. After registering, create the app in Play Console, then link it to Managed Google Play by choosing the correct organization ID, optionally sharing it with other organizations. Ensure the app is approved as a managed app, then sync it so it can be distributed to devices.

## Description

In order to make your enterprise apps exclusively available for users within your organization, you can publish them as private apps on Managed Google Play. For this, you will need to create a Google Play Developer account. A lifetime license for this account can be obtained with a one-time registration fee. This account provides the correct administrator privileges to upload and publish private apps to Managed Google Play. **You can also publish enterprise apps as private Play Store apps directly from MDM Console without creating developer account by following the steps provided** [here](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/how-to/mdm-publish-enterprise-apps-as-private-apps-directly-from-mdm.html). These private, enterprise apps are published to the Google Play Store using Google Admin console or Google Play Console and can then be silently distributed to your managed devices using Mobile Device Manager Plus.

- [Steps to publish private apps on Google Pay Store](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/how-to/mdm-publish-enterprise-apps-as-private-apps-in-google-play.html#steps)
- [Troubleshooting Tips](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/how-to/mdm-publish-enterprise-apps-as-private-apps-in-google-play.html#troubleshooting_tips)

## Steps

- **Register as a developer:**  
  Create a developer account in Google Play Console by following the steps provided [here](https://play.google.com/apps/publish/signup/?prientapp).

- **Add the application:**  
  Go to [https://play.google.com/apps/publish](https://play.google.com/apps/publish). Now, click on **CREATE APP** and add the enterprise application which you want to publish as a private app on Google Play Store. Following this, fill in the requisite details and click on **Publish**.

![How to publish enterprise apps as private apps in Google Play Store? illustration 3](https://cdn.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/images/private_enterprise_apps_7.png)

- **Managed Google Play settings:**  
  After publishing the enterprise app, click on it and go to **Setup** -> **Advanced Settings** and click on **Managed Google Play**.

![How to publish enterprise apps as private apps in Google Play Store? illustration 4](https://cdn.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/images/private_enterprise_apps_8.png)

- **Choose organizations:**  
  Here, choose the organization's name which is associated with the MDM server. **You can additionally share private apps from one organization to another.**  
  To do so, fetch and add the organization ID as explained below:
  - Sign In to the MDM server associated with the organization you want to share the app with.
  - Go to **Device Mgmt** -> **App Repository** -> **Managed Google Play**. Under **Details**, you will find the **Enterprise ID**. Copy and paste it on Managed Google Play as the **Organization ID**. This can also be found in the Managed Google Play account of the corresponding organization.
  - Click on **ADD** to finish.

  Note: You can share your private apps with multiple organizations by repeating these steps.

![How to publish enterprise apps as private apps in Google Play Store? illustration 5](https://cdn.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/images/private_enterprise_apps_9.png)

- Ensure the enterprise app is present as a managed app in your organization. Else, search and approve the app [here](https://play.google.com/work/licenses/apps).

- **Sync apps:**  
  On the MDM server, go to the **Device Mgmt** tab and click on **App Repository** in the left pane. Now click on **Apps > Add Apps > Playstore App**. Search for the app that has to be added and click on **Save & Sync**.

![How to publish enterprise apps as private apps in Google Play Store? illustration 6](https://cdn.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/images/private_enterprise_apps_4.png)

**Note:** If you cannot find the app, ensure that the app is available in the Play Store by searching the app in this [link](https://play.google.com/work). To know more about the app visibility, please refer to this [document](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9042516).

- **Distribute apps:**  
  Now, distribute the app to devices or groups according to the requirement. On the MDM server, go to the **Device Mgmt** tab, choose the group(s)/device(s) to which the app needs to be distributed. Click on **Distribute Apps**. To ensure that the app is installed silently, choose **Silent Installation** and then, click on **Select**.

![How to publish enterprise apps as private apps in Google Play Store? illustration 7](https://cdn.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/images/private_enterprise_apps_5.png)

- The enterprise app, published as a private app gets installed on the device(s).

![private_enterprise_apps_6](https://cdn.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/images/private_enterprise_apps_6.png)

## Troubleshooting Tips

1. **Unable to install these apps (enterprise apps published as private apps) on managed devices.**

The installation of the app might have failed due to one of the following reasons:

- **Location-based**: The associated devices may have moved to a different geographical region during app distribution, considering the app is country-specific. Before distribution, make sure that the app is available in all regions to avoid installation error.
- **Incompatible APK**: The distributed app may be incompatible with the associated device. For instance, an app designed only for tablets might have been distributed for a mobile device or vice versa.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a Google Play Developer account to publish enterprise apps as private apps?

Yes, this method requires a Google Play Developer account, obtained with a one-time registration fee, which provides the privileges needed to upload and publish private apps to Managed Google Play. If you'd rather skip developer registration, you can instead publish enterprise apps as private apps directly from the MDM console.

### Why might a published private app fail to install on managed devices?

Installation can fail if the app is location-based and the device has moved to a region where the app isn't available, or if the distributed APK is incompatible with the device - for example, an app built only for tablets being distributed to a mobile device, or vice versa.

### How do I share a private app with another organization?

On the Managed Google Play settings for the app, add the other organization's Enterprise ID (found under Device Mgmt -> App Repository -> Managed Google Play on that organization's MDM server) as the Organization ID - you can repeat this to share the app with multiple organizations.