Smartphones are an important work tool for many people, but it can be difficult for businesses to select devices that are secure and will be supported with security updates. Google launched the Android Enterprise Recommended program in 2018 to make it easier for businesses to adopt secure Android phones, and now that program is adding a major device maker.
Samsung is joining Android Enterprise Recommended. This means that select Samsung Galaxy devices running Android 11 and higher, like the Galaxy S20, Note 20, and Tab S7 and S7+ as well as rugged models like the XCover Pro are becoming part of Google's program.
Under the Android Enterprise Recommended, manufacturers are required to publish security update information for their devices. This includes the end date through which their devices are guaranteed to receive security updates as well as the fixes included in each security update.
Device makers must support the current shipping release of Android and provide at least one major OS upgrade, too.
Samsung has long offered its own security program for mobile devices, called Knox Platform for Enterprise. Samsung and Google have been working together in recent years to help Knox and Android Enterprise work together nicely and now Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets are officially being added to Android Enterprise Recommended, which should make it easier for businesses that use Google's solution to deploy Samsung devices.
Samsung is one of the biggest Android device makers around, so this is a major addition to Android Enterprise Recommended. It started with 7 companies in 2018 and now includes more than 30, including other recent additions like Lenovo, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Oppo.