Unattended Remote Access for Android Devices

By default, when a remote troubleshooting session is initiated from the MDM console, a confirmation prompt is displayed on the Android device asking the user to allow the session. However, for devices deployed in unattended scenarios where no end user is present, this prompt prevents remote access.

Unattended Remote Access allows administrators to bypass this confirmation prompt and connect to the device immediately. This is useful for corporate-owned, single-use (COSU) devices and similar deployments, such as:

• Self-service kiosks in retail, hospitality, or healthcare environments
• Digital signage screens in public or corporate spaces
• Point-of-sale (POS) terminals in retail environments
• Shared devices used by multiple workers across shifts (e.g., logistics, warehousing)
• Rugged field devices deployed in remote or industrial locations

For employee-assigned devices (such as BYOD or corporate-owned personally enabled devices), the confirmation prompt is retained to ensure user privacy.

How It Works

With Unattended Remote Access enabled, the consent prompt is suppressed and the remote session starts immediately without any user interaction on the device. This is achieved through managed app configuration settings deployed via the MDM console.

Unattended Remote Access is supported on all Android devices that support Remote Control.

For devices that do not natively support Remote Control, the Universal Add-on must be enabled to provide remote control capabilities. The Accessibility Service permission is required only for the Universal Add-on (used for remote control on unsupported devices).

Requirements

Configuration Steps

Step 1: Configure the ME MDM App

1. Navigate to Device Mgmt → App Repository in the MDM console.
2. Open the ME MDM app. If it is not in the repository, add it first.
3. Go to Configurations → Custom Remote Troubleshoot Configuration.
4. Enable the following options:
   • Enable Unattended Remote session access — Enables the unattended mode.
   • Enable universal plugin — required to enable remote control on devices that do not natively support it. When this is enabled, the Accessibility permission for the Universal Add-on must be granted on the device to enable remote control capability.
5. Click Save.

Step 2: Distribute the Configuration

1. Distribute the updated ME MDM app configuration to the target devices or device groups.
2. Ensure the target devices are already configured in Kiosk mode.

Step 3: Grant Accessibility Permission (Only for Universal Add-on)

1. Initiate a remote session from the MDM console: Inventory → select the device → Actions → Remote Troubleshoot.
2. The device will display the Accessibility settings page.
3. Enable the Universal Add-on in the Accessibility settings. This grants remote control capability to the device.
4. Once enabled, all subsequent remote sessions on this device will start without displaying a confirmation prompt.

Session Behavior

Limitations

• The device must be in Kiosk mode for unattended access to function. Devices not in Kiosk mode will always display the confirmation prompt.
• For devices without native Remote Control support, the Universal Add-on must be enabled in addition to Unattended Remote Access. Enabling Unattended Remote Access alone does not provide remote control capability to unsupported devices.
• When the Universal Add-on is used, the Accessibility permission for the Universal Add-on must be granted on the device. This is a one-time step per device.
• For some device models, Unattended Remote Access may not function even if Remote Control is supported.

Troubleshooting

Related Resources

• Remote Troubleshooting for Android
• Android Kiosk Mode
• ME MDM App Configurations