How to Enforce Work Profiles for Google Workspace Users on Android Mobile Devices

Quick and easy-to-follow guide for Google Workspace administrators

Requirements to manage Android work profile policies

This setting works on devices with Android 5 and up, and it requires Advanced Android Mobile Management.
Note that it doesn’t apply to devices with the Android Device Policy app, which automatically requires a work profile on personal devices.

How you can control the use of work profiles on Android devices

You can enforce a work profile setup, disable it, or allow users to opt-in to a work profile independently.
Users can set up the work profile on an account already on the device or one about to be added.

How to control the use of work profiles on Android devices step-by-step with images

Step 1

In Google Admin at https://admin.google.com, click Devices > Mobile & endpoints > Settings > Android settings in the menu on the left.

Step 2

Select Work profile.

Step 3

Click Work Profile Setup.

Step 4

Check the box to Enable work profile creation. Two options become available below:

Work profile creation will be optional – Prompt users to create a work profile when registering their device for management. If users decide not to set up a work profile, they can still access their Google Workspace account data.

However, you can still make changes to protect the data on the device. For example, if a device is lost, you can wipe all data from the device.

Enforce work profile creation – Require users to set up a work profile on their device. Users can’t sync Google Workspace account data unless they accept the work profile, and they don’t have the option to opt-out.

Users are prompted to create a work profile on Android devices that don’t have one but are already registered for management. Data stops syncing to the devices until a work profile is in place. If the device doesn’t support work profiles, this setting isn’t applied. Check the device properties in your Admin console to find out if a device supports a work profile.

Click SAVE. Changes may take up to 24 hours to take effect on mobile devices.