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Restrictions on Private Devices
Explore restrictions on BrowserStack’s Private Devices, including system, activity, app, and monitoring limits for Android/iOS, plus iOS MDM controls
This document offers a clear and detailed guide to the restrictions applied to Private Devices in the BrowserStack cloud.
Restrictions on Android devices
The table below explains the restrictions for Android devices, categorized by type, including system-level restrictions, activities, apps, and monitoring.
| Restriction | Description |
|---|---|
| Factory Reset | Prevents the user from performing a factory reset on the device. |
| Block System Updates | Restricts users from installing Android system updates during testing. |
The following are the activity restrictions on Private Devices:
- Kids Settings in Google Play services.
- The setup activity for child profiles.
- Set or change the lock screen password & pattern.
- Alternative lock password configuration.
- Certificate installer settings.
- Vivo’s gesture guide tutorial.
- Android Developer options.
- USB device connection details.
The following are the app restrictions on Private Devices:
- Installation of apps via the default Android package installer is not available.
- App installation via the Google package installer is not available.
| Name / Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Port Scanning & scrcpy Monitoring | Blocks tools and behavior related to unauthorized port scanning or device mirroring (scrcpy). |
MDM restrictions
BrowserStack’s Private Devices simplify device management and configuration for large organizations by allowing you to enroll iOS devices in your custom MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution. For more information on MDM, refer to the Custom MDM for Private Devices documentation. The following are the MDM restrictions applicable to iOS devices:
- Cannot update device software immediately
- Cannot enable location tracking
- USB communication continues even when a device is locked
- NFC disabled to prevent interference with nearby test devices
- Cannot alter Bluetooth settings
- Cannot request passwords from nearby Apple devices
- Cannot manually install configuration profiles and certificates
- Passcode changes are disabled on dedicated devices with custom MDM
- Uses network-provided date and time
- Passwords app inaccessible to avoid exposing Wi-Fi credentials
Device activity and log monitoring restrictions
These restrictions target system components that monitor device status and activity, enforce passive restrictions, and collect logs. Below are the restrictions applicable to Android, iOS, and those shared by both Android and iOS platforms.
| Restriction | Description |
|---|---|
| Developer Settings | Prevents access to Android developer options to maintain a secure environment. |
| Software Update Settings | Restricts user access to system update controls. |
| Hotspot & Tethering | Disables hotspot and tethering features to avoid unintended network exposure. |
| USB Preferences | Restricts users from changing USB configuration modes. |
| Restriction | Description |
|---|---|
| Settings → General → Software Update | Prevents users from initiating iOS software updates manually. |
| Settings → Developer | Disables developer settings to restrict unauthorized testing or debugging. |
| Unpair from Host | Prevents users from unpairing the device from the host system. |
| Settings → General → Shutdown | Disables manual shutdown to ensure continuous operation during test cycles. |
| Settings → General → VPN & Device Management | Prevents access to profile management settings that could interfere with MDM control. |
| Restriction | Description |
|---|---|
| Excluded Apps | Prevents installation or use of non-compliant apps that interfere with tests. |
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