How to add the same version of an app to Managed Google Play Private if it is already registered as an internal app

Environment

• Knox Manage (KM)

Overview

For Knox Manage, an app with the same package name can be added as an internal app several times if the version code is different. However, if it was already registered as an internal app, then the same package name app cannot be added as a public app within Managed Google Play Private. If this must be done in certain circumstances, then the following workaround may be applied.

Workaround

1. Identify which devices have the Internal App installed.
2. Navigate to the Application tab in Knox Manage, select all versions of the Internal App, and delete them. This won’t remove the app from devices.
3. At this point in time, do not send any commands to those devices, nor try to reload policies in the KM client, as this will sync the app deletion from the console.
4. Upload the app to the Managed Google Play store. Device users will now be able to download this app. For devices that have it as an internal app, users can delete them later at their convenience and download them via Managed Google Play store.