Setting the Device Owner Information

Many filters (like eGate) require setting the filter app as the device owner to function properly. Setting an app as the device owner ensures it has the highest level of control over the device, making it effective for filtering and restricting access. However, setting a device owner can be tricky, especially for those who aren’t familiar with the process. This guide will walk you through it in a simple, clear way.

Understand the Device Owner

For the filter app to be set as the device owner, all existing accounts must be logged out of the device. This includes Google accounts, email accounts, and even accounts within apps like Amazon, WhatsApp, and others. Don’t worry—you can log back into these accounts once the process is complete.

Log Out of All Accounts

  1. Open your Settings app.
  • On most phones, look for Accounts or Passwords & Accounts in the menu.
  1. Log out of each account listed.
  • Select the account and look for an option like Remove Account or Sign Out. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.

All accounts have now been removed from the device and now you can set the device owner.

Setting the Device Owner

To set the device owner, simply run the following ADB command:

dpm set-device-owner com.oss.egate/.a

If the device is the LG Classic, run the following ADB command instead:

dpm set-device-owner com.android.cts.egate/com.oss.egate.a

The response should be

Success: Device owner set to package com.oss.egate/.a
Active admin set to component {com.oss.egate/.a}

If it is an error that there is an existing account on the device already, keep on reading to try to resolve the issue.

Common Issues

Sometimes, even after logging out of all accounts, the device may still claim that there’s an existing device owner or account. Here are additional steps to troubleshoot and fix this issue:

1. Check for Accounts in Specific Apps

Some apps create their own accounts, even if they don’t appear in the main Accounts section of your settings.

Open apps that have accounts and ensure you’re fully logged out of any accounts within them.

2. Check for Other Device Management Apps

Some apps, such as Family Link or other filtering tools, can interfere with setting the device owner. You need to remove these apps before continuing.

  • Look in Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps (this path may vary depending on your phone).
  • If another app is listed as a device administrator, disable or uninstall it.
  • Alternatively, you can connect your phone to a computer and run this command via ADB to check for device administrators:
adb shell dumpsys device_policy

If you see another app listed as a device owner, you’ll need to remove it before proceeding.
Usually it is not a good idea to uninstall it, disabling it should be fine (assuming it’s built-in).

3. SIM Card-Related Issues

Some smartphones create an account automatically when a SIM card is installed. This is common on brands like Motorola, Samsung, and others. The account is often tied to a system package like com.android.sim.

How to Fix This:

  • Do not uninstall the com.android.sim package using ADB. This could cause problems with your phone’s functionality.
  • Instead, remove the SIM card from your phone temporarily.
  • Once the SIM card is removed, set the filter app as the device owner.
  • After completing the setup, you can reinsert the SIM card.

Final Steps

After following these steps, you should be able to successfully set the filter app as the device owner. If you encounter further issues, consider these tips:

  • Restart Your Phone: A quick reboot can often fix lingering problems.
  • Double-Check Everything: Ensure no accounts are logged in and that no other management apps are interfering.

That’s all! I hope this was helpful!

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Well written. @admins will probably lock this thread.

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