TeamViewer Pre-Requisites

TeamViewer General Pre-Requisites

What

Each operating system platform will have its own set of pre-requisites that need to be satisfied before you can use the TeamViewer solution through FileWave.

When/Why

First, your FileWave Admin Account will need to have a license assigned to your account: https://kb.filewave.com/books/teamviewer/page/teamviewer-assigning-licenses

To remote to and control devices, will require your macOS or Windows device to have the full version of TeamViewer:

Your managed clients will also need to have a version of TeamViewer installed. We recommend the Host version:

We'll see conditional options in the FileWave Native and Web Administrator consoles (shown below) for a TeamViewer session whenever pre-requisites are met:

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Computer Client Preferences

Computer clients also rely upon the client settings for these options to be available:

There are two options available:

PromptDontPromptUser.png

The first option will allow/deny any connection via TeamViewer.  The second option will be considered when the first option is enabled.

The second option, for prompting, will then either allow only one or both options to be available.  When prompt is disabled, both the options to either prompt or not prompt should be available.  If Prompt is enabled though, the option to action a 'Don't prompt user' will not be available and only prompted connections may be established.

These options may be configured with a Superpref Fileset.

How

The following table highlights specific prerequisites for complete functionality and helpful tips:

Platform FW Server FW Client Companion App/Kiosk/Extension Supporting Apps
Windows/macOS Version 14.7+ Version 14.7+ n/a TeamViewer App pre-deployed
iOS/iPadOS Version 14.7+ n/a FileWave Kiosk IPA v 14.6+ TeamViewer QuickSupport App (Licensed through VPP and deployed)
Android Version 14.7+ n/a Companion App v 14.6+ (auto-deployed) TeamViewer QuickSupport App required, TeamViewer device-specific add-on also needed for device control
Chrome OS Version 14.7+ n/a Extension v 2021.10.07 (auto-deployed) TeamViewer QuickSupport App required, QS add-on eventually for device control

For specific setup instructions, view each of the platform-specific articles.

For notifications to be able to be sent to your remote devices, you'll need to make sure to open traffic from your FileWave server to rcs.filewave.com and fwpn.filewave.com on port 443.  These are two new services that accept the session creation and push notification requests respectively.

There are several setup-related items we'll need to take care of before we can use TeamViewer, and we'll go through them in order in the related articles found below. There are also videos located in the Foundry here: https://foundry.filewave.com/course/view.php?id=19 (NOTE: When logging in tot he Foundry make sure to "Login via SSO")

TeamViewer: Chrome OS Client Setup

What

FileWave's TeamViewer integration requires endpoint prerequisites on each supported platform.  In future versions, we may embed some of these prerequisites, but at this time, we erred on the side of letting you control the elements.  So, slightly more work but much greater control.

When/Why

We'll need to meet prerequisites for ChromeOS client devices for TeamViewer to work seamlessly.  Specifically, we'll need the following:

Although TeamViewer does not support remote control of Chrome OS devices, it has been seen to work (but without consistency) in some instances by applying the QS Universal Add-on. As such, the add-on could also be considered.

* The Google Play Store TeamViewer QS Universal Add-On
   * The add-on allows device control

How

TeamViewer’s full application for Windows can be found here: https://www.teamviewer.com/en-us/download/windows/ For macOS here: https://www.teamviewer.com/en-us/download/mac-os/. You will need to run that on the device that runs the FileWave Administrator console or WebAdmin. For your clients, the below steps discuss the deployment of TeamViewer Host.

If you aren't currently distributing the FileWave Chromebook Inventory Extension, you'll want to do that, and detailed instructions can be found here.

Details about what the Inventory Extension enables, and frequently asked questions can be found here and here respectively.

Additionally, it will be very helpful to pre-deploy the QuickSupport App and the Universal Add-On through your Google Admin Console.  In our environment, we chose to push both:

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Note that both apps are from the Google Play Store, not from the Chrome store: 

chrome-setup2.png

TeamViewer: iOS/iPadOS Client Setup

What

FileWave's TeamViewer integration requires endpoint prerequisites on each supported platform.  i(Pad)OS is relatively simplistic though.

When/Why

Requirements:

User Approval is an Apple requirement for user privacy protection

i(Pad)OS with older versions of FileWave, required the FileWave Kiosk App IPA be deployed to devices, which may be downloaded from the relevant Download Pages and deployed through FileWave.

How

TeamViewer Full Application

The computer used to view/control devices will require the full version of TeamViewer and may be downloaded from the TeamViewer site:

TeamViewer QuickSupport

Devices require the QuickSupport version, available from the App Store:

TeamViewer QuickSupport is a free App.  

Any of the above may be deployed to devices as Filesets.

Always consider testing on a smaller subset of devices, prior to mass deployment.

Use of TeamViewer through FileWave requires an assigned TeamViewer licence to a FileWave Administrator through the Manage Administrator Preferences.  Only assigned FileWave Administrators will have the option to control devices.

TeamViewer: macOS Client Setup

What

FileWave's TeamViewer integration requires endpoint prerequisites on each supported platform.  Majority of these have been left  untouched, but may be altered, allowing slightly more work (if desired) but much greater control.

When/Why

TeamViewer is used to remotely control your clients, providing access to a device for troubleshooting or assisting a user. TeamViewer for macOS differs from other OSs since it requires a few privacy permissions before allowing TeamViewer to be installed.

How

Prerequisites for macOS client devices must be met in order for TeamViewer to work seamlessly:

The below describes installing the TeamViewer Host application. The full TeamViewer application is only necessary for computers wanting to remote into other computers. The Host application is only allowed to accept connections and not initiate them; highly recommended.

(During an attempt to prompt a device for control, users will be prompted to either install or launch a local copy of Teamviewer.  Only the TeamViewer Host version can be launched if pre-installed.)

FileWave Client (14.7+)

Remember to always use the client updater Fileset to update FileWave clients.  Do NOT push the FileWave client PKG to upgrade macOS clients.

The most recent FileWave client is always included on the FileWave download pages: Downloads

TCC Profile for TeamViewer Host - Accessibility and Full Admin Access

Both profiles enable 2 of the 3 permissions TeamViewer Host requires. The 3rd, Screen Recording, is a privacy setting that can not be allowed by anyone other than a local user.  Standard Users do not have permissions to allow Screen Recording by default.  This option to allow a non-Admin to enable Screen Sharing is available in one of the provided Profiles.

Screen Sharing is a service deemed by Apple as user privacy.  Hence, users must locally enable Screen Sharing on macOS.

Once allowed, if left enabled, subsequent TeamViewer sessions to that device my be actioned, without user prompting.

Both Profiles have the following settings:

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However, one of them allows Screen Recording to be enabled by a non-Admin user:

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Each profile contains two payloads: Privacy Settings & Custom Settings

Privacy Settings

Permissions to allow TeamViewer access rights.

TCC Profile for TeamViewer Host:

TCC Profile for TeamViewer Host with Standard User Screen Recording Allowance 11+:

TeamViewer Host Fileset

The included Filesets are examples which utilise a settings file set to instal the software silently.  

Choose an embedded TeamViewer Fileset: 

Note: if more than one of the below is shown, only one is required, but older version might be offered.

 

TeamViewer Host Install macOS 15.63.4.fileset.zip

Latest version can be downloaded from TeamViewer directly, however, the public downloadable DMG has an application that instals the software and does not allow for the configuration presented at the time of installation; upgrades should occur automatically as indicated below

Fileset Contents:

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Installer and Installer Options:

The choices.xml file is configured to instal the .pkg silently.  However, the user will be prompted with notifications, since Apple allow users to choose if apps are allowed to control the screen or not.

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Requirement Script:

Where software is already installed and services are active, Privacy Settings Profiles installed subsequently require the service of that software to be restarted.  This Fileset example includes a Requirement Script that checks for profile installation before activating TeamViewer, preventing the need to restart the TeamViewer Host service.

The 'check_tv_profile.sh' script is designed to recognise one of the two provided Profiles and, once installed, allow activation of the Fileset.  If Profiles with a different Profile ID are used instead of those supplied, the script settings will require alteration.

The Launch Arguments show the two possible Payload IDs.  Add in the correct Fileset Profile ID if not using the provided ones.

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The two profiles may be uploaded simultaneously. The Fileset Requirement Script is able to identify either profile.

Activation Script:

The script in this case is installing the PKG.  Note the script allows the specifying of the 'choices.xml' file when ran.

#!/bin/zsh
installer -applyChoiceChangesXML /usr/local/etc/TeamViewer/choices.xml -pkg "/usr/local/etc/TeamViewer/Install TeamViewerHost.pkg" -target /
exit 0
Postflight

This script provides examples of configuring the TeamViewer Host.  Two settings are configured, both of which may be set by selecting the Postflight Script, choosing Get Info and then Executable tab:

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Possible Values:

Environment Variable Value Outcome
admin_rights
 0 Any user may change settings
1 (Recommended) Only administrators may change settings
pass_strength
 3 (Recommended) No password
2 10 Character Password
1 6 Character Password
0 8 Character Password

Setting No Password for password strength, prevents anything other than FileWave from connecting to devices through TeamViewer Host.

Triggering a reinstall Fileset should set the above settings to match those in the Fileset.

Post-Uninstallation Script:

The 'mac_teamviewer_uninstaller.sh' script uninstalls TeamViewer if an association or deployment no longer exists.

Updates

The software should auto update to latest version.  If you would like to download the latest installer though you can always get it from https://go.filewave.com/tvhost and if you go to it on a macOS system then the PKG will download, and if you go to it on Windows the EXE will download. 

Don't forget to upgrade the full TeamViewer version on the Admin device.

Related Content

TeamViewer: Windows Client Setup

What

FileWave's TeamViewer integration requires endpoint prerequisites on each supported platform.  In future versions, we may embed some of these prerequisites, but at this time, we erred on the side of letting you control the elements.  So, slightly more work but much greater control.

When/Why

We'll need to meet prerequisites for Windows client devices for TeamViewer to work seamlessly. (Technically, the TeamViewer App can be run or installed by the customer, but pre-deploying makes the experience much more seamless and avoids issues with administrative rights, etc.) We'll need the following: 

The required TeamViewer Host installer is bundled in the below provided Fileset and pre-configuration by way of a 'tvopt' file

The host version of TeamViewer does not provide the ability for users to control other devices. 

How

FileWave Client

The most recent FileWave client is always included on the FileWave download pages, available here: Downloads

Remember to always use the client updater Fileset to update clients.  Do NOT push the FileWave client MSI to upgrade Windows clients.

TeamViewer Full Application

The computer used to view/control devices will require the full version of TeamViewer and may be downloaded from the TeamViewer site:

TeamViewer Client

The installer is actioned with scripts, inside the provided Fileset, configured to ensure the installation is silent, including:

TeamViewer Host MSI download requires an account with TeamViewer.  FileWave includes the MSI within the Fileset, but this should not be exported and redistributed.  FileWave will aim to update the Fileset periodically to include newer versions of TeamViewer.

Choose an embedded TeamViewer Fileset:

Note that you only need one of the below, but we may offer several versions in case you need an older version.

 

TeamViewer Host Windows 15.63.4.fileset.zip

If there is a need to update before FileWave has provided a newer version, the download of the latest version of TeamViewer Host is only available publicly as an EXE:

If downloading the EXE, a new Fileset should be created using the EXE to upgrade.

Access to the MSI is limited to those with accounts, but if access is available, download the latest MSI.  After downloading the MSI, replace the current 'TeamViewer_Host.msi' with the downloaded version, ensuring the name of the MSI installer matches.

Disassociation of the Fileset will uninstall TeamViewer Host with a pre-uninstallation script.

Customization

The Fileset provided has an example 'tvopt' file, which will customize the installation if left as is.  If no customization is desired, this file may be removed.  Alternatively, it is possible to upload an alternate 'tvpopt; file, preset as desired.

Example file 'example.custom.tvopt' highlighted in the image.  Add a built file into the same directory called 'custom.tvopt' to override this; the 'example.custom.tvopt' may be left behind or removed.

TV_Fileset_Contents.png

Create Custom 'tvopt'

Follow the example instructions below to create a TeamViewer Host custom settings file for enforcement at the time of installation.

The TeamViewer Host app can be customized and secured to:
  * Prevent users from connecting to their own devices remotely. Connections will only be possible via FileWave
  * Blocking users from editing the settings by protecting them with a password.

For example, to secure the TeamViewer Host app and export its settings:

  1. Install the TeamViewer Host component on a test device.

  2. Launch it from the TeamViewer icon in the system tray, edit the settings and set the following options:

    • Security > Random password (for spontaneous access) > Password strength=Disabled (no random password)

    • Advanced > TeamViewer options > Changes require administrative rights on this computer

      • Set Options/Confirm password fields

  3. Click the Export button at the bottom of the Advanced options sections on the right. Save it as 'custom.tvopt'.

    • Check Export user-specific settings as default for all users

  4. Drag the 'custom.tvopt' file into the Fileset within the same directory as the current example file and installer MSI

  5. Test before deploying en masse

TeamViewer also provides guidance here on mass deployment that may be helpful: https://community.teamviewer.com/English/kb/articles/39639-mass-deployment-on-windows

TeamViewer: Android EMM Client Setup

What

FileWave's TeamViewer integration requires endpoint prerequisites on each supported platform.  In future versions, we may embed some of these prerequisites, but at this time, we erred on the side of letting you control the elements.  So, slightly more work but much greater control.

When/Why

TeamViewer’s full application for Windows can be found here: https://www.teamviewer.com/en-us/download/windows/. For macOS, here: https://www.teamviewer.com/en-us/download/mac-os/. You will need to run that on the device that runs the FileWave Administrator console or WebAdmin. For your clients, the below steps discuss the deployment.

We'll need to meet prerequisites for Android client devices for TeamViewer to work seamlessly.  We'll need the FileWave companion app to be upgraded to at least 14.7, and we'll want to deploy the TeamViewer QuickSupport and add-on applications as well.  

Component Install? Notes
Android EMM Companion App (FW Client App) * Yes Auto-deployed
TeamViewer QuickSupport App (Google Play Store) * Yes Details, which can be deployed as a FileWave Fileset: Play Store App - TeamViewer QuickSupport.fileset.zip
TeamViewer Add-On (Google Play Store) * Yes The add-on is required for device control (typing, screen clicks, etc)...and is specific to each type of Android device, reference the article linked to from the How section below for specifics about best practices for deployment

FW Client App must be able to both resolve the server DNS name and reach the server since communication from this App is direct to the server, not via Google.  Without this communication, the version of FW Client will not be updated on the server and the option to 'Open Remote Session' will be greyed out.

How

There are two elements we need to deploy to support TeamViewer on Android EMM devices:

To keep the distribution simple and elegant, we'll probably want to build a structure that looks something this:

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Note that you could also publish all of the apps needed to the Play Store Kiosk on the devices as well, but we feel that would be pretty cluttered for the users of the devices, albeit simpler for the FileWave admin.

In our structure, the top-level group is just a manual group, and we will assign the Fileset (Payload) for the TeamViewer QuickSupport app here.  Below that top-level group we'll create groups for each type of Android device we have.  The add-on is device-specific, therefore we will create a smart group for each device type based on the Device Product Name field.

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In the case of the Lenovo M10 tablet, the product name is "Lenovo TB-X605F", so we created a Smart Group based on Device Product Name matching that exact name.  Because this group is a smart group all M10 tablets will automatically be included and, therefore will have the QuickSupport app assigned from the group above, which addresses our first pre-requisite.  

Remember, you can duplicate a smart group by right-clicking and choosing "Duplicate"...this makes it much simpler to add multiple similar smart groups.

Now, for the Add-On installation...it is a bit more complicated because we don't know which add-on fits our device best.  In this case, it is best just to cheat and let the TeamViewer QuickSupport app recommend the add-on to install on a sample device.  In our case, it recommends an add-on for the x705F, found here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamviewer.quicksupport.addon.lenovo_tb_x705f

So, we'll now create a Fileset for that app. and assign it to the appropriate smart group. Then, rinse and repeat for each device type, which hopefully won't be too many.

There is also a Universal Add-On available, but at least in our testing, the device-specific add-ons worked best.

On initial setup, the option for starting a remote control session for an Android can be delayed to allow synchronization between FileWave/Google.  This is only at the setup of the device though and should complete within 15-30 minutes maximum.