Whether you are configuring devices manually, need employees to link their devices remotely, or are looking for an unattended deployment, below we explain the available options and key considerations for each operating system.
Regular installation (manual)
This is the most straightforward and traditional method, ideal if you have physical access to the device or are setting up a personal phone.
- Download the Prey app directly from the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS).
- Open the application.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to grant the necessary permissions, and log in with your Prey credentials to finalize the setup.
Linking via QR Code
If you need your team members to install Prey and link their devices to the company account, but you do not want to share your administrator credentials, you can use a QR code.
- You will find your QR code by clicking on the +Add Device button in the top of your main dashboard.
- The end user simply needs to download the app from their respective app store and, on the login screen, select the option to scan the QR Code. The device will be linked automatically.
Unattended installation via custom APK (Android only)
Available for Protection, Tracking, or Full Suite plans.
For Android fleets, you can generate a custom APK installer that contains your unique Setup Key. This allows you to install the application without needing to enter login credentials or have the device physically on hand.
- In your web panel, navigate to +Add device, and then select Android.
- Click the Create Link button. (Please note it may take a few minutes to generate).
- Share this link with your team. When opened on an Android device, it will download an installer that, once finished, leaves the device immediately configured and linked to your account.
Security considerations for the APK link:
- Devices will be added under the user who generated the link.
- Anyone with access to the link will be able to add devices to your account, so we strongly suggest sharing it only through secure channels with the right people.
- If you need to revoke access, click the red Revoke button in the panel. This will delete the current link and render the APK installer unusable. You will need to create a new link if you want to add more devices using this method in the future.
Notes by OS
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Important update regarding Android 14+ (Custom wipe feature)
Due to new Google Play Store policies, the Custom Wipe feature is no longer available on devices running Android 14 or newer if you download Prey directly from the app store. To keep using Custom Wipe, simply install Prey via the Custom APK method mentioned above. -
Permission requests: On iOS devices, Prey will prompt notifications to request necessary system permissions. The end user must grant these manually for the app to function correctly.
We do not recommend installing Prey on iOS devices unless you are absolutely sure that users will not force-close the app (by swiping it up in the app switcher) under any circumstances. If a user manually closes the app, iOS will prevent it from waking up in the background, meaning Prey will not be able to fetch location data or push security actions.
Still need help?
Please refer to our related articles for additional guidance on managing your mobile devices:
If you need further assistance, reach out to our Support team directly via the Help widget in your Prey panel.