Pre-installing Applications for student Chromebooks

[ron.p...@paysonschools.net]

I created an application - basically a shortcut to our Renaissance Place URL - and added it to the Web Store as a private app for our GAFE domain. After successfully uploading it, I added it to the Pre-install Apps and Extensions for the sub-group of devices for the school that will be using it. I waited a few hours then logged into one of the Chromebooks and was delighted to see our App and that it was working.

However, the good news seems to stop there. If I log in as anybody but myself, the App does not appear - even after a couple of days.

There isn't anything in the manifest that is specific to my account, so I'm not sure why it would only appear for me. Any ideas of what I should look for?

[Robert Holiday]

If you go here while logged in as your domain's admin account

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard/

You can add a new app. After you upload the zip file that contains your manifest.json and your .png thumbnail, you can set the required screenshots, language, set it that it's not a public app and only available to your domain. 

After everything is good with the app, you can get it's app/item ID by clicking on "more info"

ex: idapdbjamincgfjilegbblamaekdkhdk

Now you'll need to get back to the admin console for your domain.

Device Management>Chrome>User Settings>Pre-Install apps>Custom App>enter in your app/item id and the following URL https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx>save Changes

*Make sure to select the OU of users that you want this applied to

Let me know if you end up having further difficulty or questions.

[ron.p...@paysonschools.net]

Thanks. I had first attempted Pre-installing as a Domain App rather than Custom and I did not have the URL information that you provided. I removed the original app and then followed your instructions to pre-install as a custom app. Unfortunately, it still is not showing up for any users other then myself.

- Ron

[Robert Holiday]

When in the Developer section and when you are editing your app you want to publish, are the visibility options set to "Private: Everyone at yourDomain"?

[ron.p...@paysonschools.net]

Yes, for Visibility options "Private" is selected, "Everyone at paysonschools.net" (our domain)

[Robert Holiday]

Just running through things I've done before,

Does this custom web app by any chance show up for the rest of the domain when added as a "pinned app/extension"?

You're not just selecting a sub OU when pre-installing the app?

When you have the list of custom apps added, and you click on details for it, does it take you to the chrome web store and show the details for the app?

[ron.p...@paysonschools.net]

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014 12:22:19 PM UTC-7, Robert Holiday wrote:

Just running through things I've done before,

Does this custom web app by any chance show up for the rest of the domain when added as a "pinned app/extension"?

No. It does show up for me as a pinned app, but not for any other users.

 

You're not just selecting a sub OU when pre-installing the app?

Yes. we have sub OU's for each cart. I selected each cart and then added our app.

 

When you have the list of custom apps added, and you click on details for it, does it take you to the chrome web store and show the details for the app?

Yes, it shows up with the screenshot that I uploaded and a green button to launch the app.

[Robert Holiday]

Well This is interesting....

I had this working last week, I just logged into our test chromebook and do not see the app I had pushed out anymore.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014 2:07:25 PM UTC-5, ron.p...@paysonschools.net wrote:

[Robert Holiday]

Ah figured out my issue.

When I was gone last Friday the other admin had to change the pre-installed app for testing, and did that at our student OU (which is where the test account I was using is located). 

I can't think of anything else to check as far as why it might not be showing up for your other users.

Google support may be a good place to check. I don't think I have had a time where I called them and they didn't figure out my issue within a day.

On Friday, November 7, 2014 4:33:18 PM UTC-5, ron.p...@paysonschools.net wrote:

[ron.p...@paysonschools.net]

I'll try Google next and post here if we find a solution. Thanks for your help and time!

- Ron