Zebra Android OS Update Methods

Overview

VMware Workspace ONE is an enterprise mobility management platform that helps organizations manage and secure their mobile devices, including Zebra's Android-based devices. It provides features like device enrollment, configuration management, application deployment, and security policies. Workspace ONE allows IT administrators to remotely manage and update Zebra devices, including applying Lifeguard Patch Updates.

  • Device which are running on 7.x Nougat and below support only OS updates while Devices which are running 8.x and above support upgrade and downgrade as well.
  • Zebra Android 7.x or lower Devices an OS update can be carried out by using product provisioning
  • Zebra Android 8.x or later Devices, there are a couple of options when using Workspace ONE UEM to update the Zebra OS or Lifeguard Security Patch.
  • Lifeguard Patch Updates from Zebra are typically delivered directly to the Zebra Android-based devices to provide security patches and updates. VMware technologies can assist in patch management by providing tools for monitoring and distributing updates across the virtualized infrastructure. This helps ensure that the Zebra devices are up to date with the latest patches and security fixes.
  • The other method is to use a Zebra OEMConfig.apk, again after the OS Upgrade ZIP file, or Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file has been downloaded to the device. 

Purpose of This Tutorial

This tutorial takes you through the steps to update Android Operating System and apply Lifeguard Patches for Zebra devices 8.x or later. Before you update Zebra devices, you must first set up a reference-architecture environment. For more information, see the Empower Frontline Workers Solution and Deployment and Troubleshooting tips for Android Enterprise Rugged platform using VMware Workspace ONE UEM.

Audience

This tutorial is intended for IT administrators and product evaluators who are familiar with VMware vSphere and VMware vCenter Server. Familiarity with networking and storage in a virtual environment, Active Directory, identity management, directory services, and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is assumed. Knowledge of other technologies, such as Workspace ONE Access and Workspace ONE UEM, is also helpful.

Upgrade Methods

This section discusses various upgrade methods.

Upgrading Zebra devices 7.x or earlier

To upgrade Zebra devices running 7.x or earlier, production provisioning is the method used to update the OS.

To push an update using product provisioning, perform the following:

  1. Navigate to Devices > Provisioning > Components > Files/Actions and select Add Files/Actions.
  2. Select the Android platform.
  3. Complete the General text boxes.
    1. Enter a Name.
    2. Enter a Description.
    3. View the pre-populated Version number.
    4. View and confirm the Platform.
    5. Select the organization group which the Files/Actions will be Managed By.
  4. Select the Files tab.
  5. Select the Add Files button and upload the OS update files.
    1. For Zebra devices earlier than Android 8.0, upload the following files and specify the path as either /data/tmp to store the file on the data partition, or as a known internal path to store it on the internal storage.
    2. OS Update ZIP file – This file can only be an incremental OS upgrade file. The file can also be an enterprise reset package.
    3. [Optional] Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub update package (APF) – This optional file can be specified to update the Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub before initiating the actual OS update. Workspace ONE UEM can provide this APK.
  6. Select the Manifest tab and click Add Action under the Install Manifest.
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  7. Add the OS Upgrade command to the manifest and select the corresponding OS upgrade file that was uploaded earlier.
  8. Click Save.

After creating an OS Upgrade file/action, create a product to push the upgrade to your devices.

For details, see Create a Product in VMware Docs.

Upgrading Zebra 8.x or later

These exercises help you update an Android operating system and apply Lifeguard Patches for Zebra devices 8.x or later. The steps are sequential and build upon one another, so make sure that you complete each step before going to the next.

When managing Zebra Android 8.x or later devices with Workspace ONE UEM, a couple of options are available for updating the Zebra OS or Lifeguard Security Patch. One method involves using an XML file that guides the device to perform the update using the downloaded OS Upgrade ZIP file or Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file. The other approach involves utilizing a Zebra OEMConfig .apk after the OS Upgrade ZIP file or Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file has been downloaded to the device. The advantages of each method are explained in the following sub-sections.

Using the XML Method to Update

Using the XML method offers the advantage of consolidating everything within one provisioning product. This means that the product can include both the download of the OS Upgrade or Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file and the XML file containing the instructions for the device's upgrade process.

Prerequisites

Before you can perform the steps in this exercise, you must enroll in both Workspace ONE UEM and Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub. The Zebra MX Services APK must be installed on the device for the XML upgrade method to succeed.

Upgrading via XML

Perform the following steps to upgrade via XML:

  1. Copy the Zebra Upgrade XML, and save it as an XML file.
    1. Example  "Zebra Upgrade XML" (can be used for both a Full OS Upgrade, or a Lifeguard Patch Upgrade):
      <wap-provisioningdoc>
       <characteristic version="8.1" type="PowerMgr">
         <parm name="ResetAction" value="8" />
         <characteristic type="file-details">
           <parm name="ZipFile" value="/sdcard/{FILENAME}" />
         </characteristic>
       </characteristic>
      </wap-provisioningdoc>
  2. In line 5 of the XML file, replace the {FILENAME} for the name of the Zebra OS Upgrade ZIP, or Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file.
  3. Within Product Provisioning / Components, create a new Files/Actions component.
  4. In the Files tab:
    1. Add either the OS upgrade ZIP file or the Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file, and set the download location to /sdcard/
    2. Add the modified XML file, and set the download location to any valid path, such as /sdcard/download/
  5. In the Manifest tab, add an Apply Custom Settings action to the Install Manifest, and select the XML file from the drop-down menu.
  6. Save the Files/Actions and provision them through a product.

For more information about updating Zebra Operating System or Lifeguard Security Patch, see Empower Frontline Workers Solution.

Using the OEMConfig Method to Update

When utilizing the OEMConfig method, product provisioning handles the download of the OS Upgrade or Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file, while the OEMConfig app takes care of executing the upgrade process on the device. With the separation of tasks through OEMConfig, a timing issue can occur which requires the OS Upgrade or Lifeguard Patch ZIP file to be present on the device before using the OEMConfig command.

Prerequisites

This process assumes the Zebra Android 8.x+ device is enrolled into both Workspace ONE UEM and Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub. The Zebra OEMConfig APK must be installed on the device for the OEMConfig method to succeed. Also, OEMConfig Firmware Updates require a minimum Zebra MXMF level of 9.1. This can be determined by navigating to the following location on your device: Settings > System > About Phone > SW components > MX. You will see the MXMF version listed.

Upgrading via OEMConfig

Perform the following steps to upgrade via OEMConfig:

  1. Within Product Provisioning / Components, create a new Files/Actions component.
  2. In the Files tab, add either the OS upgrade ZIP file or the Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file, and set the download location to /sdcard/
  3. Save the Files/Actions and provision them through a product. The ZIP file should now reside on your device.
  4. Download the Zebra OEMConfig app from the Managed Google Play Store registered for your Workspace ONE UEM Environment.

    A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated 
  5. From the App Assignment page, configure Application Configuration for the Zebra OEMConfig app within the Workspace ONE UEM Console, to update the Firmware on the device. For additional information, see Zebra Managed Configurations, and search for Firmware Over The Air Configuration. The following three screenshots are examples of how the process should look:
    1. Example 1:
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    2. Example 2:
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    3. Example 3:
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  6. Save the App Assignment to push the OEMConfig settings to the device.

Upgrading Zebra Android (10.x or later) Devices

For Zebra Android 10.x or later devices, you can perform an OS upgrade or apply a Zebra Lifeguard Patch using Product Provisioning in Workspace ONE UEM:

  1. In the Workspace ONE UEM console, navigate to Product Provisioning, and select the desired product or create a new one.
  2. Within the product, go to the Components section and create a new Files/Actions component.
  3. In the Files tab of the component, add either the OS upgrade ZIP file or the Zebra Lifeguard Patch ZIP file. Set the download location to /$osupdate$. The file path should appear as /$osupdate$/{update.zip} to ensure that the file is downloaded to the appropriate location on the device.
  4. Switch to the Manifest tab of the component. Add an OS Upgrade action by selecting it from the drop-down menu. Choose the uploaded osupdate.zip file from the list of available files.
  5. Save the Files/Actions component.
  6. Proceed with the provisioning process by assigning the product to the desired devices or device groups.
  7. After the product is provisioned to the devices, Workspace ONE UEM handles the download of the OS upgrade or Lifeguard Patch ZIP file to the specified location on the devices. Then the OS Upgrade action in the manifest guides the devices to perform the upgrade process using the downloaded file.
  8. Make sure that you have the correct and compatible OS upgrade or Lifeguard Patch ZIP file for the specific device model and Android version. Testing and verifying the process on a smaller scale before deploying it widely is also recommended.
  9. Remember to follow best practices and refer to the official documentation provided by Zebra and VMware for detailed instructions and any specific requirements related to your Zebra Android devices and Workspace ONE UEM configuration.

Upgrading Zebra Android 13+ Devices

For Zebra Android 13 Devices, see the following VMware KB article Important information regarding Zebra Android 13 Update (91896).

This KB article explains that is it necessary, on Zebra Android SDM660 platform device models, to run an intent prior to the Android 13 update, as an Enterprise Reset is performed by the device after an update. If Workspace ONE UEM enrollment is not backed up and persisted properly on the device, then enrollment data will be wiped after the upgrade, and the devices will need to be re-enrolled.

Summary and Additional Resources

This tutorial provided the steps to perform a Zebra Operating System update or Lifeguard Security Patch for Android 8.x and later devices.

Procedures included:

  • OEMConfig upgrade
  • XML upgrade
  • Zebra Android OS (10.x or later) update

Additional Resources

For more information about VMware Workspace ONE is an enterprise mobility management, you can explore the following resources:

Changelog

The following updates were made to this tutorial:

Date

Description of Changes

2023/11/15

  • Added section Upgrading Zebra devices 7.x or earlier
  • Added section Upgrading Zebra devices 13.x and later

2023/08/07

•                     Guide was published.

About the Author and Contributors

Arkeem Brinson, the author of this tutorial, is a Solution Engineer and Subject Matter Expert for VMware Horizon Enterprise products. With over 8 years of experience in the technology industry and a deep understanding of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and end-user computing, Arkeem helps organizations transform their IT environments to deliver secure, flexible, and efficient digital workspaces.

With additional contributions from:

  • Dave Dwyer, Staff Solution Engineer and Subject Matter Expert for Mission Critical (Rugged) and IoT Deployments on the VMware EUC Team
  • Siddesh Patil, Senior Technical Marketing Architect, End-User Computing, VMware

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