Microsoft Intune for WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, Line, and SMS
If you go online and search for ''How to protect #Whatsapp or #WeChat within Intune management?'' you will probably come out after a long search empty-handed. Hence, I have been searching for a way to have social media apps to be protected under the Intune Management, and I have made some interesting findings that it's worth sharing with everyone.
The purpose of this blog is to outline the procedure for utilizing WeChat App within the Mobile Application Management (MAM) policy using Microsoft Intune. Additionally, Microsoft offers support for fundamental Intune App Protection Policy settings through partner productivity apps such as Leap Work for Intune developed by a company called LeapXpert . These partner productivity apps also possess the capability to support advanced App Protection Policy and App Configuration Policy settings.
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1. LEAP WORK FOR INTUNE
?Leap Work for Intune functions as a communication app for business-to-consumer (B2C) interactions. It enables employees to make calls or send text, voice, and file messages using their preferred messengers, including WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, Line, and SMS. By utilizing the Leap Work App, messaging can be elevated to a formal business communication channel, similar to phone calls or emails. (Figure 2) provides a user's perspective of the WeChat App through the Leap Work App.
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1.1. UPSIDES OF LEAP WORK APP
The Leap Work App offers the following advantages:
? Direct access to the preferred messenger’s service.
? Complete security and control of all company communication data.
? Consolidation of employee and client communication on a single platform.
? Ability to engage in group chats between employees and clients.
? Availability of company communication history for monitoring and compliance purposes.
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1.2. CHANNELS AND GATEWAYS OF LEAP WORK APP
LeapXpert provides three distinct Application Gateways across multiple platforms, as illustrated in Figure 1:
1. Desktop application
2. Mobile Application (Figure 2)
3. Teams add-on app or Mini-App (Figure 3)
1.3. DOWNSIDES OF LEAP WORK APP
The Leap Work App does have some disadvantages:
1. Costs: LeapXpert has approximately costs $40 per user per month.
2. User experience may vary as users are accustomed to the WeChat app, requiring an adoption strategy to transition them to the Leap Work App.
3. Leap Work App lacks certain services available in WeChat App, such as:
??- WeChat Pay
??- WeChat Search
??- WeChat News
??- WeChat Moments
??- WeChat Channels
??- Integration with WeChat Mini-programmes
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2. INTUNE-MAM EXCEPTIONS FOR UNMANAGED APPS
Microsoft has introduced an exception feature for MAM policies within the App Protection Policy for iOS and Android. This feature allows IT admins to selectively choose which unmanaged apps can transfer data to and from managed apps.
iOS Data Transfer Exceptions for WeChat App:
Finding the correct WeChat URL protocol for iOS can be challenging, as the URL protocol is only provided by the vendor. Despite my attempts to contact WeChat International Pte. Ltd. but I didn’t receive any response.
Android Data Transfer Exceptions for WeChat App:
For Android, the URL protocol can be found on the Google App Store.
How does it work on an Android device?
When a user receives a WeChat link on a managed application like Teams, OneDrive, or Outlook, it becomes a clickable link that opens in the managed browser (Edge). The browser recognizes the URL exceptions and redirects the link to open with the WeChat App. However, copy/paste functionality is not allowed. To copy text to WeChat, users must utilize the "Share with" option, as demonstrated below.
How does it appear on an Android device?
3. Conclusion
Microsoft recommends LeapXpert as a solution for supporting WeChat in conjunction with App Protection Policy and App Configuration Policy settings. Leap Work for Intune app might be a suitable recommendation for certain organizations, particularly if the company is considering the following functionalities:
- User/supplier communication through chat, voice calls, and voice notes.
- Ensuring the security of the company's communication history.
- Integrating WeChat's communications within the Intune Mobile Device Management configuration.
- Providing a user-friendly experience by utilizing Leap Work for Teams Mini-App.
On the other hand, it's important to note that Leap Work App comes with a monthly cost of approximately $40 and lacks certain services available in WeChat App. However, it is worth mentioning that LeapXpert holds extensive experience working within WeChat's environment and can deliver various solutions tailored to any organisation’s requirements, such as Mini-Apps and Wecom (WeChat for Business), as well as governance solutions.
Last but not least, I personally recommend conducting tests within your organisation's environment before taking any decision.?
Author
Shady Khorshed?is a Microsoft enthusiast. He loves writing on iOS/Android, Windows 11, Windows 365 and related Microsoft Intune. He is here to share quick tips and tricks for all young professionals.
SCCM | MECM | Intune | MEM | End User Computing | Endpoint | Problem Solver
1 年Does most of your clients allow personal chat app to be installed in work profile in android or as managed app in ios because it will allow work data to share with anyone in the personal chat app? most of the companies i went to treat personal chat app as personal/unmanaged and users are allow to go to public app store to download and install only.