---
title: Android devices and the Client Is Always Connected option
slug: dmg-android/guide/android-devices-and-the-client-is-always-connected-option
createdAt: 2026-10-06T07:46:35.292Z
---

Android devices support the Client is Always Connected option on the sync policy. Enable this option only when FCM (previously GCM) cannot be used. These situations include:

- Regions and countries in which FCM is not available.
- Select commercial and government use cases.
- Devices which do not support FCM, such as the Amazon Kindle.

:::hint{type="info"}
Google shut down GCM service on May 29, 2019. GCM is replaced by Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). Ivanti EPMM 8.0.0.0 and Ivanti Mobile\@Work for Android 10.2.1.0 or supported newer versions now use FCM. See [Customer Notice - GCM Batch End of life](https://community.mobileiron.com/docs/DOC-8072).
:::

Ivanti EPMM uses FCM to immediately send lock, unlock, retire, and wipe, commands to devices. You can also send notification messages to devices using FCM. With <font color="#323232">Always Connected</font> option enabled, Ivanti EPMM can send these commands and notification messages to the device at any time without using FCM.

Ivanti recommends that you enable <font color="#323232">Always Connected</font> mode on a maximum of 5000 devices per Ivanti EPMM instance. The reason is that the device generates a regular connection status check to Ivanti EPMM when using <font color="#323232">Always Connected </font>mode. This status check can impact the device as follows:

- It will cause a small increase in battery power consumption on the device.
- It will cause a small increase in bandwidth usage on the device, which sometimes is a concern when using cellular networks.