Manage AOSP Referenced Apps in Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn
In brief
Intune documentation now describes adding AOSP referenced apps without an APK or Google Play selection. Required assignments unhide device-resident apps, while Uninstall assignments hide them; Available assignments aren't supported.
What Intune admins need to know
Admins need AOSP-enrolled devices, the app's package name, and the app already deployed on devices or externally. The package name can't be changed after creation.
This summary was assembled from the tracked documentation change. Verify important details in the full Microsoft Learn article.
Documentation change
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new file mode 100644
layout: Conceptual title: Manage AOSP Referenced Apps in Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn canonicalUrl: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/intune/app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp breadcrumb_path: /intune/breadcrumb/toc.json uhfHeaderId: MSDocsHeader-Intune feedback_system: Standard ms.service: microsoft-intune manager: laurawi author: abigail-stein2 ms.author: abigailstein ms.collection:
- M365-identity-device-management
- Android
- FocusArea_Apps_Add ms.subservice: apps description: Add AOSP referenced apps by package name in Microsoft Intune. Assign Required or Uninstall intent to unhide or hide device-resident apps. ms.topic: how-to ms.date: 2026-10-21T00:00:00.0000000Z ms.custom: msecd-doc-authoring-1030 ai-usage: ai-generated locale: en-us document_id: fcb224d1-6103-7da5-a8e7-371be3a7b0e3 document_version_independent_id: fcb224d1-6103-7da5-a8e7-371be3a7b0e3 original_content_git_url: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/memdocs-pr/blob/live/intune/app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp.md site_name: Docs depot_name: MSDN.memdocs page_type: conceptual toc_rel: ../../toc.json pdf_url_template: https://learn.microsoft.com/pdfstore/en-us/MSDN.memdocs/{branchName}{pdfName} feedback_product_url: '' feedback_help_link_type: '' feedback_help_link_url: '' asset_id: app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp moniker_range_name: monikers: [] item_type: Content source_path: intune/app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp.md cmProducts:
- https://microsoft-devrel.poolparty.biz/DevRelOfferingOntology/a72e95ff-4b4f-4cc1-90c6-7dcba67ff05f spProducts:
- https://microsoft-devrel.poolparty.biz/DevRelOfferingOntology/24dc3ccd-591a-4415-a1fe-8759afafcb12 platformId: 8acfdbc9-4ac4-1ae5-b6e8-9d940fed12e2
Manage AOSP Referenced Apps in Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn
AOSP referenced apps identify apps by package name instead of an uploaded APK. You can use Microsoft Intune to manage OEM, preloaded, or externally deployed apps on Android Open Source Project (AOSP) devices. The app must already be on the device or be deployed outside Intune.
To unhide an existing app on the device, assign the referenced app as Required. To hide the app without deleting it, assign it as Uninstall. The Available assignment type isn't supported for referenced apps.
AOSP referenced apps support user-associated and userless AOSP devices.
Before you start
- Make sure the devices are enrolled in Intune with AOSP user-associated or AOSP userless enrollment.
- Make sure the app is already on the devices, or arrange to deploy it outside Intune.
- Get the app's package name. If you don't know the package name, contact the device manufacturer or app vendor.
- Make sure you have permissions to create and assign apps in the Microsoft Intune admin center. For permission guidance, see Role-based access control.
Select the app type
Select the AOSP referenced app type to open the app creation steps. You don't need to upload an APK or select an app from Google Play.
- Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.
- Select Apps > All apps > Create.
- For Platform, select Android.
- For Category, select Referenced apps.
- Select AOSP referenced app, and then select Create.
Set app information
Enter the app details and the package name that Intune uses to identify the app on the device.
- On the App informationpage, add the following details:
- Name: Enter the name of the app as it appears in Intune.
- Publisher: Enter the name of the app publisher.
- Package name: Enter the package name of the app. Intune validates that the package name is valid.
- Select Next to display the Scope tags page.
The package name can't be changed after you create the app. To manage a different package, create a new referenced app. If you don't know the package name, contact the device manufacturer or app vendor.
You can't create referenced apps for Company Portal (com.microsoft.windowsintune.companyportal) or Microsoft Authenticator (com.azure.authenticator).
Select scope tags (optional)
Use scope tags to control which administrators can access the app in Intune. For more information, see Use role-based access control and scope tags.
- Select Select scope tags to add scope tags for the app, if needed.
- Select Next to display the Assignments page.
Assign the app
Choose group assignments to unhide or hide the app on targeted devices. AOSP referenced apps support Required and Uninstall assignments only.
- Required: Unhides an existing, enabled app when needed. If a preinstalled system package is retained on the device but isn't installed for the current user, Intune can restore it for that user. Intune doesn't download a new APK. If the package isn't on the device, the assignment fails.
- Uninstall: Hides the app without removing its APK or app data, and without disabling it. If the app is absent or already hidden, the assignment is satisfied without further action.
Note
An app's hidden state is separate from its enabled state. Intune can unhide or restore an app, but it can't override a disabled state set by the user, device manufacturer, or another mechanism. A Required assignment fails until the app is enabled outside Intune.
- Select the group assignments under Required or Uninstall.
- Select Next to display the Review + create page.
Note
If an app doesn't have a launchable activity, its icon won't appear on the home screen, even when a Required assignment succeeds.
For group assignment guidance, see Assign apps to groups.
Review and create the app
Review the app details before adding the referenced app to Intune.
- Review the values and settings on the Review + create page.
- Select Create to add the app to Intune.
The app's Overview page is displayed. The referenced app also appears in the apps list.
Hide an existing referenced app
To hide an OEM, preloaded, or externally deployed app, assign the referenced app as Uninstall. The app's APK and data remain on the device.
- Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.
- Select Apps > All apps.
- Select the AOSP referenced app from the apps list.
- Select Properties, and edit Assignments.
- Add the target group under Uninstall and remove its Required assignment, if one exists.
- Review and save the assignments.
If another referenced-app Required assignment targets the same package on the device, it takes precedence over Uninstall. Removing a Required assignment alone doesn't hide the app. \ No newline at end of file
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@+---+layout: Conceptual+title: Manage AOSP Referenced Apps in Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn+canonicalUrl: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/intune/app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp+breadcrumb_path: /intune/breadcrumb/toc.json+uhfHeaderId: MSDocsHeader-Intune+feedback_system: Standard+ms.service: microsoft-intune+manager: laurawi+author: abigail-stein2+ms.author: abigailstein+ms.collection:+- M365-identity-device-management+- Android+- FocusArea_Apps_Add+ms.subservice: apps+description: Add AOSP referenced apps by package name in Microsoft Intune. Assign Required or Uninstall intent to unhide or hide device-resident apps.+ms.topic: how-to+ms.date: 2026-10-21T00:00:00.0000000Z+ms.custom: msecd-doc-authoring-1030+ai-usage: ai-generated+locale: en-us+document_id: fcb224d1-6103-7da5-a8e7-371be3a7b0e3+document_version_independent_id: fcb224d1-6103-7da5-a8e7-371be3a7b0e3+original_content_git_url: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/memdocs-pr/blob/live/intune/app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp.md+site_name: Docs+depot_name: MSDN.memdocs+page_type: conceptual+toc_rel: ../../toc.json+pdf_url_template: https://learn.microsoft.com/pdfstore/en-us/MSDN.memdocs/{branchName}{pdfName}+feedback_product_url: ''+feedback_help_link_type: ''+feedback_help_link_url: ''+asset_id: app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp+moniker_range_name: +monikers: []+item_type: Content+source_path: intune/app-management/configuration/manage-referenced-apps-aosp.md+cmProducts:+- https://microsoft-devrel.poolparty.biz/DevRelOfferingOntology/a72e95ff-4b4f-4cc1-90c6-7dcba67ff05f+spProducts:+- https://microsoft-devrel.poolparty.biz/DevRelOfferingOntology/24dc3ccd-591a-4415-a1fe-8759afafcb12+platformId: 8acfdbc9-4ac4-1ae5-b6e8-9d940fed12e2+---++# Manage AOSP Referenced Apps in Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn++AOSP referenced apps identify apps by package name instead of an uploaded APK. You can use Microsoft Intune to manage OEM, preloaded, or externally deployed apps on Android Open Source Project (AOSP) devices. The app must already be on the device or be deployed outside Intune.
+
+To unhide an existing app on the device, assign the referenced app as **Required**. To hide the app without deleting it, assign it as **Uninstall**. The **Available** assignment type isn't supported for referenced apps.
+
+AOSP referenced apps support user-associated and userless AOSP devices.
+
+## Before you start
+
+- Make sure the devices are enrolled in Intune with AOSP user-associated or AOSP userless enrollment.
+- Make sure the app is already on the devices, or arrange to deploy it outside Intune.
+- Get the app's package name. If you don't know the package name, contact the device manufacturer or app vendor.
+- Make sure you have permissions to create and assign apps in the [Microsoft Intune admin center](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2109431). For permission guidance, see [Role-based access control](../../fundamentals/role-based-access-control/overview).
+
+## Select the app type
+
+Select the AOSP referenced app type to open the app creation steps. You don't need to upload an APK or select an app from Google Play.
+
+1. Sign in to the [Microsoft Intune admin center](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2109431).
+2. Select **Apps** > **All apps** > **Create**.
+3. For **Platform**, select **Android**.
+4. For **Category**, select **Referenced apps**.
+5. Select **AOSP referenced app**, and then select **Create**.
+
+## Set app information
+
+Enter the app details and the package name that Intune uses to identify the app on the device.
+
+1. On the **App information**page, add the following details:
+ - **Name**: Enter the name of the app as it appears in Intune.
+ - **Publisher**: Enter the name of the app publisher.
+ - **Package name**: Enter the package name of the app. Intune validates that the package name is valid.
+2. Select **Next** to display the **Scope tags** page.
+
+The package name can't be changed after you create the app. To manage a different package, create a new referenced app. If you don't know the package name, contact the device manufacturer or app vendor.
+
+You can't create referenced apps for Company Portal (`com.microsoft.windowsintune.companyportal`) or Microsoft Authenticator (`com.azure.authenticator`).
+
+## Select scope tags (optional)
+
+Use scope tags to control which administrators can access the app in Intune. For more information, see [Use role-based access control and scope tags](../../fundamentals/role-based-access-control/scope-tags).
+
+1. Select **Select scope tags** to add scope tags for the app, if needed.
+2. Select **Next** to display the **Assignments** page.
+
+## Assign the app
+
+Choose group assignments to unhide or hide the app on targeted devices. AOSP referenced apps support **Required** and **Uninstall** assignments only.
+
+- **Required**: Unhides an existing, enabled app when needed. If a preinstalled system package is retained on the device but isn't installed for the current user, Intune can restore it for that user. Intune doesn't download a new APK. If the package isn't on the device, the assignment fails.
+- **Uninstall**: Hides the app without removing its APK or app data, and without disabling it. If the app is absent or already hidden, the assignment is satisfied without further action.
+
+Note
+
+An app's hidden state is separate from its enabled state. Intune can unhide or restore an app, but it can't override a disabled state set by the user, device manufacturer, or another mechanism. A **Required** assignment fails until the app is enabled outside Intune.
+
+1. Select the group assignments under **Required** or **Uninstall**.
+2. Select **Next** to display the **Review + create** page.
+
+Note
+
+If an app doesn't have a launchable activity, its icon won't appear on the home screen, even when a **Required** assignment succeeds.
+
+For group assignment guidance, see [Assign apps to groups](../deployment/assign-groups).
+
+## Review and create the app
+
+Review the app details before adding the referenced app to Intune.
+
+1. Review the values and settings on the **Review + create** page.
+2. Select **Create** to add the app to Intune.
+
+The app's **Overview** page is displayed. The referenced app also appears in the apps list.
+
+## Hide an existing referenced app
+
+To hide an OEM, preloaded, or externally deployed app, assign the referenced app as **Uninstall**. The app's APK and data remain on the device.
+
+1. Sign in to the [Microsoft Intune admin center](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2109431).
+2. Select **Apps** > **All apps**.
+3. Select the AOSP referenced app from the apps list.
+4. Select **Properties**, and edit **Assignments**.
+5. Add the target group under **Uninstall** and remove its **Required** assignment, if one exists.
+6. Review and save the assignments.
+
+If another referenced-app **Required** assignment targets the same package on the device, it takes precedence over **Uninstall**. Removing a Required assignment alone doesn't hide the app.\ No newline at end of file