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One of the biggest advantages K12 Montana highlights when helping schools move to Google Workspace is the ability to push apps and Chrome extensions to every device in your district without touching each one individually. No more emailing staff a link and hoping they install it. No more students missing required tools on test day.
Here's how it works in Google Admin.
Force-Installing Chrome Apps and Extensions
Sign into the Google Admin Console and navigate to Devices, then Chrome, then Apps & Extensions. Click the Users & browsers tab.
On the left, select the Organizational Unit you want to target - Students, Staff, or a specific grade level or department.
Click the yellow + icon in the bottom right corner. You'll get options to add from the Chrome Web Store, Google Play, by ID, or by URL. Find the app or extension you want to install.
In the panel that opens on the right, set the Installation policy. Your options are:
* Force install + pin to ChromeOS taskbar: installs automatically and pins it to the taskbar so it's always visible.
* Force install: installs automatically but doesn't pin.
* Allow install: makes it available in the Chrome Web Store but doesn't install it automatically.
Click Save. The app will push out to devices the next time they check in.
Turning Google Workspace Services On or Off
Need to give your staff access to Google Vault, or turn off Google Chat for students? Go to Apps, then Google Workspace, then Service Status. Select the OU you want to modify, check the box next to the service, and click On or Off.
Enabling Additional Google Services
For services outside of core Workspace - things like Google Maps, YouTube, or other Google products - go to Apps, then Additional Google Services. Same process: select the OU, toggle the service, save.
Want help building out your district's Chrome device policy? K12 Montana Inc. manages Chrome device fleets for Montana schools. Contact us to talk through your app deployment strategy.