BenQ Boards, digital signage, and smart projectors offer schools powerful tools for instruction, collaboration, and engagement. They’re also Google-certified in most cases and give users access to Google Play and its apps. But that doesn’t mean these displays need to be a source of distraction. That’s because IT and school admins can easily manage which apps are accessible on these smart displays to keep classes orderly.

As an admin, you have multiple options to control app usage, ranging from strict restrictions to full access. Here’s how you can manage apps effectively on BenQ displays.

Allowlisting is the most controlled approach, ensuring that only apps you pre-approve can be used on the smart display. This method is ideal for schools that want to maintain a secure, distraction-free environment by preventing any unauthorized apps from being installed by students or even teachers.

• How it works: You create a list of approved apps that can be downloaded and installed.
• Best for: Schools with strict security requirements or that need classes to be highly focuse
• How to use it: Use the Policies feature in BenQ’s Device Management Solution (DMS) to select BenQ apps, downloaded apps, or any app from the Google Play Store via a URL link. You can then push this allowlist to all your managed BenQ smart displays. Once it’s set up, even if users browse Google Play and install a non-allowlisted app, they won’t be able to open and use it.

Blocklisting allows you to specify which apps are not permitted while still allowing general access to Google Play. This is useful for preventing apps that might cause distractions or security risks without entirely restricting access to all apps.

• How it works: You specify apps that cannot be installed or used on the smart display.
• Best for: Schools that want flexibility while restricting certain non-educational apps.
• How to use it: Similar to allowlisting, use Policies in DMS to select the apps you want to blocklist. Once set, push the policy to your managed smart displays to prevent those apps from being used.

Let’s say users have installed an app on a BenQ smart display, and you no longer want them to use it. In this case, you can choose to simply hide the app.

• How it works: The app remains installed, but users can’t find it. If a user is somehow able to find the app and tries to use it, the app won't run.
• Best for: Schools that have fewer devices to manage and generally allow users unrestricted access to the Play Store.
• How to use it: In DMS, select the device in question and navigate to the Apps section. Find the app you want to hide and click on the eye icon next to it. Click the eye icon again if you wish to unhide the app.

If you need strict control over all apps, you can also choose to disable Google Play Store access. This prevents any unauthorized app installations from teachers or students and ensures that only IT-approved apps are available on the display.

• How it works: The Google Play Store is disabled, and apps can only be installed via IT-admin provisioning.
• Best for: Schools that want to prevent students from installing games or non-educational apps and that require teachers to request app installation.
• How to use it: Go to Policies in DMS and select Security settings, then enable either Restrict accounts in Google Play or Disable Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can use BenQ DMS and add the Play Store app to your blocklisted apps.

Some schools might prefer an open-access approach, giving teachers and students the freedom to install any apps they need. While this method offers maximum flexibility, it could come with security risks and potential distractions. Note that this is the default setting for BenQ smart displays, so if you need to limit access, you must choose one of the options above.

• How it works: Users can access and install any app from Google Play without restrictions.
• Best for: Environments in which users are trusted to manage apps responsibly.
• How to use it: Simply leave the app settings in DMS unrestricted on your managed devices.

The best method for managing app installations depends on your school’s specific needs. Consider the following when making your decision:

• Security and compliance: Does your organization require strict security controls?
• User freedom: Do teachers and students need the flexibility to install apps on their own for learning and research purposes?
• IT management resources: Do you have the bandwidth to monitor and enforce restrictions on an app-by-app basis?

Regardless of your choice, BenQ’s DMS makes it easy for you to implement the right level of app control. By leveraging allowlisting, blocklisting, hiding apps, or blocking Google Play, you can ensure that your BenQ smart displays remain secure and tailored to your school’s needs.

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