What is Android Enterprise Recommended?

AER is Google’s validation programme for devices, EMMs, and MSPs.

Each will have a list of requirements to meet in order to validate, and will re-validate on an annual basis. AER for Carriers was announced in 2018 but was subsequently shelved by Google.

• Devices - must meet minimum hardware specifications, publicly disclose the security update support end date and update frequency, support at least one major OS upgrade (with a recommendation of up to seven for Android 16 devices), and pass Android Enterprise management compatibility testing. The programme includes standard, rugged, and dedicated device categories. Note: the previous mandatory 90-day security patch requirement was dropped for devices validating on Android 15 and later; OEMs must now instead publish their update cadence and end-of-support date for transparency
• EMMs - must support a defined set of Android Enterprise management features across all deployment scenarios
• MSPs - must demonstrate competency in deploying and supporting Android Enterprise for their customers

Validated vendors re-validate on an annual basis.

AER is a minimum bar, not a seal of quality. A device being AER-validated means it met the requirements at the time of validation. It does not guarantee:

• Timely delivery of future security patches beyond the commitment period
• Bug-free Android Enterprise behaviour
• Feature parity with other AER devices

Organisations should still evaluate devices against their own requirements, ideally through hands-on testing, rather than relying solely on AER status for procurement decisions.

More details: What is Android Enterprise Recommended?