Application mode
In application mode (no QR-code-based enrollment, limited features), Headwind MDM is compatible with most Android devices running Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) or higher.
Some plugins may not work on earlier Android versions (prior to Android 5.0 Lollipop).
MDM mode
QR-code-based enrollment was first introduced in Android Nougat (7.0). Therefore, Headwind MDM is compatible with most Android devices running Android Nougat or higher.
By using NFC-based or ADB-based enrollment, it should also be possible to install Headwind MDM on Android Marshmallow (6.0). However, we haven’t tested this feature.
The system has been tested on the following Android builds:
- Genuine Android (used by most devices)
- Samsung Android
- EMUI (a build used by Huawei)
To install Headwind MDM, it’s required to have a pre-installed QR code scanner on the device.
To check availability of a QR code enrollment, tap 7 times on a startup screen, i.e., on the “Hello” text. The device must open an enrollment UI.
Android versions
The software features in earlier Android versions may be limited. Full functionality is available in the MDM mode on Android 9 and above.
Features vs Android version and installation mode
Unsupported devices
After analyzing complaints of other customers, we have collected a list of devices we DO NOT RECOMMEND to use with Headwind MDM:
Xiaomi Redmi 7A, 8A, 9A, 9C and other Xiaomi devices running MIUI 10 or 11 may not even have a QR code based installer or encounter certain errors after the enrollment (failure to install applications). Some Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12 seem to work well with Headwind MDM, but in general, we do not recommend using Xiaomi with Headwind MDM.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A (SM-T500) sometimes reports an error: “Can’t create work profile. The security policy prevents the creation of a managed device because a custom OS is or has been installed in this device”. This issue is apparently related to the Knox bug and is also complained on the forums of other MDM systems. Unfortunately there is no clear solution of this issue yet.