Sending commands to mobile devices

You can send commands to Android mobile devices to protect data on a mobile device that is lost or stolen, or to perform forced synchronization of a mobile device with Kaspersky Security Center.

You can't send commands to iOS devices.

The following commands are supported:

• Lock device

  The mobile device is locked.

• Unlock device

  The mobile device is unlocked.

  After unlocking a device running Android 5.0 – 6, the screen unlock password is reset to "1234". After unlocking a device running Android 7.0 or later, the screen unlock password is not changed.

• Reset to factory settings

  All data is deleted from the mobile device and the settings are rolled back to their default values.

• Wipe corporate data

  The corporate data is wiped from the device. The list of wiped data depends on the mode in which the device operates:

  • On a personal device, KNOX container and mail certificate are wiped.
  • If the device operates in device owner mode, KNOX container and the certificates installed by Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Android (mail, VPN, and SCEP profile certificates, except the mobile certificates) are wiped.
  • Additionally, if Android work profile is created, the work profile (its content, configurations, and restrictions) and the certificates installed in the work profile (mail, VPN, and SCEP profile certificates, except the mobile certificates) are wiped.
• Locate device

  Device is located and shown on Google Maps. The mobile service provider may charge a fee for internet access.

  On devices running Android 12 or later, if the user granted the "Use approximate location" permission, the Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Android app first tries to get the precise device location. If this is not successful, the approximate device location is returned only if it was received not more than 30 minutes earlier. Otherwise, the Locate device command fails.

• Sound alarm

  The mobile device sounds an alarm. The alarm sounds for 5 minutes (or for 1 minute if the device battery is low).

• Synchronize device

  The mobile device is synchronized with Kaspersky Security Center.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Android app requires specific permissions for the execution of commands. When the Initial Configuration Wizard is running, Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Android prompts the user to grant the application all required permissions. The user can skip these steps or disable these permissions in the device settings at a later time. If this is the case, it will be impossible to execute commands.

On devices running Android 10.0 or later, the user must grant the "All the time" permission to access the location. On devices running Android 11.0 or later, the user must also grant the "While using the app" permission to access the camera. Otherwise, anti-theft commands will not function. The user will be notified of this limitation and will again be prompted to grant the required level of permissions. If the user selects the "Only this time" option for the camera permission, access is considered granted by the app. It is recommended to contact the user directly if the camera permission is requested again.

To send a command to a mobile device:

1. In the main window of Kaspersky Security Center Web Console or Cloud Console, select Devices > Mobile > Devices.
2. Select the device to which you want to send the command, and then click either Control or Manage.
3. Select the required command in the Available commands list, and then click OK.
4. Click OK if you are prompted to confirm the operation.

The specified command is sent to the mobile device and the confirmation window is displayed.

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