Mobile Endpoint Agent Installation on Android Devices

The Mobile Endpoint Agent is a network performance tool that provides near real-time visibility into mobile devices, applications, and network environments. It helps IT teams and end users quickly identify and resolve network issues, ensuring optimal application performance and a seamless user experience.

Key features include continuous monitoring, real-time alerts, intuitive dashboards, and easy deployment. The Mobile Endpoint Agent can also help to monitor services like inventory management and asset tracking, offering end-to-end visibility and actionable insights to maintain productivity and efficiency. It enables IT support teams to deliver high-quality service to mobile workforces and enhance organizational performance.

To learn more, watch the overview video or see the installation video.

The Mobile Endpoint Agent is compatible with Android 11 and later. For system and firewall requirements, see the documentation.

The Mobile Endpoint Agent is compatible with Android devices running version 11 or higher that support Google Mobile Services (GMS), meaning they have access to proprietary Google applications and APIs such as the Google Play Store. While most Android phones and tablets include Google Play, we recommend verifying device compatibility by consulting the official list of Google Play-supported devices. Devices running the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) version of the operating system are not currently supported.

Interactive Installation

Before you begin installation, generate and download the activation link or QR code from the ThousandEyes web UI (Endpoint Experience > Agent Settings > Add New Endpoint Agent). You’ll need the activation link or QR code during the agent installation process.

1. Locate the ThousandEyes Endpoint Agent application in the Google Play Store.

2. Install the application on your device.

3. Launch the application and click on Get Started.

1. During installation, scan the QR code or use the Activation Link provided to you to associate the agent with the appropriate ThousandEyes organization

2. Allow camera access to scan the QR code.

1. Grant the requested permissions :

   • Location Access (Allow all the time). Make sure Location Services are turned on in your device settings.

   • Background execution permission

   • Phone permission

Note: Screens may look different on devices running custom versions of Android or manufacturer-specific interfaces.

1. You will see the following screen upon successful installation and set-up of the agent.

MDM Installation

Cisco does not officially support or guarantee integration with third-party MDM technologies unless explicitly stated as part of a Cisco offer statement. If you are using a third-party MDM solution with Cisco products, you may encounter limitations in support from Cisco, particularly if the issue is due to a limitation, bug, or not supported by the MDM provider’s platform.

While Cisco ThousandEyes tests and validates that our applications support features such as silent deployment for Managed Google Play Apps, auto-granting permissions, automatic device naming, and parsing of connection strings, customers must seek direct support from their MDM provider for implementation and troubleshooting of these features. Cisco does not provide support for these functionalities when managed through third-party MDM platforms.

For a reliable and scalable deployment, we recommend installing the Mobile Endpoint Agent through Managed Google Play. This method supports managed configurations, letting you easily set permissions, device names, connection details, and enable automatic updates. Managed Google Play uses Google Play APIs to securely get these settings from your MDM solution and apply them to the Mobile Endpoint Agent. It also enables silent deployment, automatic configuration, and policy enforcement. This ensures consistent device settings, seamless updates, and secure enrollment, making management simple, efficient, and secure while ensuring devices operate reliably at scale.

We strongly discourage deploying the Mobile Endpoint Agent using side-loaded APKs or Line of Business (LoB) distribution. These methods do not support managed configurations, so key settings such as permissions, device identifiers, and updates cannot be centrally applied or controlled. This often leads to inconsistent device behaviour and higher support costs.

You can install the agent silently by following the instructions here

Verifying Agent Registration and Check-In

1. Sign in to the ThousandEyes application, and then go to the **Agent Settings **page under the Endpoint Experience menu.

2. Enter your device name as it appears in your mobile app. If you see your agent listed, registration was successful.

1. If the Last Contact column displays a recent timestamp, the agent has checked in.

Licensing

The Mobile Endpoint Agent supports both Advantage and Essential license types. Mobile devices can run up to four concurrent tests, regardless of the license type.

Configuring Tests

After you install and register your agent, you can configure tests to monitor your device’s performance.

Currently, only Network Tests and HTTP Server Tests are supported for scheduled tests. To set up a scheduled test, see the instructions for creating a custom test template.

Mobile agents can run up to four tests at the same time, with a minimum interval of five minutes between tests. Tests scheduled at shorter intervals will not run. Adjust your schedule or create separate tests for mobile agents as needed.

Managing the Endpoint Agents

In the Endpoint Experience > Agent Settings section of the ThousandEyes web app, you can verify, manage, and edit your agent settings.

You can also view agent details, such as created date, hostname, memory, OS version, manufacturer, and model. To see which tests are running on an agent, find the agent on the page, open its side panel, and review the allocated and running tests. To check that all assigned tests are active, hover over the Assigned Scheduled Tests graph. This process helps you quickly confirm agent configuration and test status.

To learn more about managing agent settings, see Manage Endpoint Agent Settings.

Viewing Data and Troubleshooting

Viewing Test Data

In the Endpoint Experience > Views section of the ThousandEyes web app, you can view test results associated with your agents.

Currently, only Scheduled Tests are supported. To see test data for all tests running on your agents, go to Endpoint Experience > Views > Scheduled Tests.

For detailed instructions on selecting tests, applying filters, and choosing metrics, see the Endpoint Agent Scheduled Tests article.

Troubleshooting for a Single Agent

The Agent Views section displays comprehensive endpoint data from an individual agent, delivering complete visibility to simplify troubleshooting and issue diagnosis, even for users with limited technical experience.

To access this feature, go to Endpoint Experience > Agent Views in the ThousandEyes web app and use the Search function to locate your desired agent.

To learn more about how to troubleshoot using the agent information, see Endpoint Agent Views.

Building Dashboards

Dashboards provide a clear and efficient way to monitor and visualize large sets of test data, helping you quickly identify and resolve issues.

To help you work more efficiently and minimize the need for external support, use the Mobile Experience Monitoring Dashboard template. This template is designed for monitoring Mobile Endpoint Agents, ensuring consistency and supporting best practices across multiple account organizations.

For more information about dashboards, see the following articles:

• Using Dashboard Templates

• Customizing your Dashboard

• Troubleshooting with Dashboard Drill-Down

• Additional Data Collected by Mobile Endpoint Agent

Setting Alert Rules

Alerting is a key feature of the ThousandEyes platform that notifies operations teams about performance issues or deviations. You can create alert rules for your critical monitoring scenarios, baseline and customize modular alert rules, and set up notifications and alert integrations. To learn more about alerts, see Alerts.

Zebra Support

We have thoroughly tested the product on a wide range of device types, including handheld, vehicle-mounted, wearable, and tablet devices. Based on our testing, we expect the solution to work with any Android 11 or later device that has access to Google Play. The certificate includes only base models; discontinued devices are not included.

System Requirements and Performance Disclaimer

The following metrics are based on internal testing conducted under controlled conditions. Results may vary depending on device model, OS version, background processes, and network conditions.

Battery usage and data consumption depend on your device specifications and testing conditions.

During four concurrent monitoring tests over a 24-hour period, the following resource utilisation was recorded:

Device Type	OS	RAM	CPU	Battery	Storage	Battery Usage	CPU Wake Events	Data Consumption	Memory Footprint	App Version	App Size
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - SM-G998U1	Android 15	16 GB	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	5000 mAh	Internal	1-3%	420	244 MB	53 MB	1.1.0	30 MB
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - SM-G998U1	Android 15	16 GB	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	5000 mAh	Internal	6%	420	135 MB	64 MB	1.4.2	51 MB
Zebra MC3400	Android 13	6 GB	Qualcomm octa-core, 2.4GHz	7000 mAh	Internal	4%	420	137MB	65MB	1.4.2	54 MB
Honeywell RT10A	Android 15	4 GB	Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core, 2.2GHz	10,280 mAh	Internal	1-3%	420	126 MB	68 MB	1.4.2	54 MB

These values represent typical usage under standard enterprise conditions. Actual performance and resource usage may vary. For optimal performance, devices should meet or exceed the listed specifications.

Limitations / Exceptions

Geographic Limitations on Product Availability

The Mobile Endpoint Agent is not available in the following countries/regions:

• Belarus

• China (with the exception of Hong Kong)

• Crimea

• Cuba

• Iran

• North Korea

• Russia

• Syria

• Ukraine

Device Compatibility

• Hardware and software limitations: Some devices may have hardware or software restrictions that affect the installation or functionality of certain apps. Check app store availability for device-specific compatibility.

Synthetic Test Settings

• Minimum test interval: The minimum test interval for mobile agents is 5 minutes.

• Maximum number of concurrent tests: Mobile devices can run up to four concurrent tests, regardless of license type.

• Web tests targeting HTTP (clear-text) destinations are not supported.

Unsupported Features

• Zebra built-in scanner camera: QR code scanning is currently supported only with the device’s internal camera.

• CPU metrics, TCP protocol for network tests, and Wireless Metrics (Retransmission Rate, Roaming Events & Channel Swap Events) are not supported on mobile devices.

• Dynamic Tests, Real User Tests, and Instant Tests, are not supported at this time.

• Mobile Metrics: API and alerts for mobile metrics are not currently supported.

• Future releases will include support for ChromeOS devices.