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Configure Content Install & Update Criteria

Configure content install and update criteria with a configuration preset or directly on a group.

Written by Josh Franzen

Who can use this feature?

👤 Organization Owners, Admins, Group Admins, and custom roles with the "Configure Content Updates" permission can configure these settings directly on a group or ungrouped device, and can assign an existing Content Updates preset. Creating or editing a Content Updates preset is an organization-level action: Organization Owners and Admins can do this by default, and custom organization roles can be granted Create and Edit permissions for Content Updates presets under Settings → Roles → Configuration Presets.
🚩 Available on the Essential, Classroom Pro, Classroom Ultimate, and Enterprise Plans.

Overview

Control when content downloads and installs on devices to avoid interrupting users mid-session with unexpected updates.

This applies to:

  • Managed app installs

  • Managed app updates

  • Video installs

  • File installs

This does not apply to:

  • Unmanaged app installs or updates

  • Meta Horizon Store app installs or updates

  • ArborXR Client updates

  • ArborXR Home updates

By configuring download and install times, you can optimize the user experience and minimize disruption from background downloads and installations.

There are two ways to configure content install & update criteria:

  • Option 1 (recommended): with a Content Updates Configuration Preset. You define the settings once in the preset, then assign the preset to as many groups and ungrouped devices as you like. When you update the preset, the change applies immediately everywhere it's assigned.

  • Option 2: directly on an individual ungrouped device or device group.

⚠️ Regardless of which option is chosen, devices will need to be awake and connected to WiFi in order for new content to download and install. When devices go into deep sleep, Android turns off WiFi to preserve battery life. When in deep sleep, new content will not download and install to devices since they are no longer connected to WiFi. If devices are plugged into a power source, their display will go black after a while but they will NOT go into deep sleep and WILL remain connected to WiFi, thereby ensuring new content will download and install according to the configured schedule.

Option 1: Configure with a Content Updates Preset (Recommended)

💡 Why we recommend Configuration Presets. Configuring a group or ungrouped device directly means repeating the same clicks for every group and device, and repeating them again each time the setting needs to change. With a preset you configure the setting once, assign it to up to 100 groups or ungrouped devices in a single operation, and any later change to the preset applies immediately everywhere it's assigned. Over the life of a fleet this saves a significant amount of time and removes the risk of groups drifting out of sync.

Step 1: Create the preset

  1. Navigate to Configuration Presets in the left sidebar.

  2. Click Create Configuration Preset in the top right corner and choose Content Updates.

  3. Enter a Name for the preset and click Create.

  4. On the preset's page, under Update Criteria, select one of the following.

    1. Without Interruption (default): content downloads and installs once the app is no longer in the foreground or the device has been idle for 5+ minutes.

    2. Immediately: content downloads and installs as soon as the deployment is triggered and the device comes online.

    3. Plugged In: content downloads and installs whenever the device is plugged in and online.

    4. Scheduled: content downloads and installs only during the specified time window while online. Configure the window in the Schedule section.

    5. Plugged in + Scheduled: content downloads and installs only when the device is plugged in during the specified time window while online.

  5. Click Save.

Step 2: Assign the preset

Assign the preset from the Configuration Presets library. You can assign it to up to 100 groups or ungrouped devices in a single operation.

  1. Navigate to Configuration Presets in the left sidebar.

  2. Select the checkbox next to the Content Updates preset you want to assign.

  3. Click Assign.

  4. Choose either Assign to Groups or Assign to Ungrouped Devices.

  5. Select the target groups or ungrouped devices, then click Assign.

Option 2: Configure Directly on a Group or Device

💡 If your organization has Require Configuration Presets enabled, direct configuration is disabled and the Content Updates section must be configured with a preset.

  1. Navigate to the ungrouped device or configuration group in question.

  2. Click on the Settings tab.

  3. Select Content Updates to expand the section.

  4. Under Update Criteria, select one of the following.

    1. Without Interruption (default): content downloads and installs once the app is no longer in the foreground or the device has been idle for 5+ minutes.

    2. Immediately: content downloads and installs as soon as the deployment is triggered and the device comes online.

    3. Plugged In: content downloads and installs whenever the device is plugged in and online.

    4. Scheduled: content downloads and installs only during the specified time window while online. Configure the window in the Schedule section.

    5. Plugged in + Scheduled: content downloads and installs only when the device is plugged in during the specified time window while online.

  5. Click Save.

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