Troubleshooting Mobile Threat Defense App Noncompliance in Intune Environments

When organizations deploy Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions alongside Microsoft Intune, maintaining device compliance becomes critical for securing corporate resources. One of the most common challenges IT administrators face involves devices showing as noncompliant due to MTD app installation or activation issues. This comprehensive guide walks through the troubleshooting process for resolving these specific compliance problems.

Understanding MTD Noncompliance Scenarios

Intune integrates with various MTD partners to provide an additional layer of security by evaluating device health and threat status before granting access to corporate resources. When an MTD solution detects issues, users encounter one of two primary messages:

1. Install and activate partner app - The device requires the MTD application to be installed and properly activated
2. Resolve detected threats - The MTD app has identified security threats requiring remediation

This article focuses specifically on the first scenario, where users must install and activate their organization's designated MTD application to restore compliance.

Prerequisites for Troubleshooting

Before beginning the resolution process, ensure these fundamental requirements are met:

• The user's device must be enrolled in Intune through the Company Portal app
• The user must have valid work or school account credentials
• The device requires an active internet connection
• The MTD solution must be properly configured in the Intune admin console

Step-by-Step Resolution Process

Step 1: Install and Activate the Partner App

If the MTD application isn't present on the device:

1. Open the Intune Company Portal app on the affected device
2. Navigate to the "Devices" section and select the specific device
3. Locate and install the required MTD application mentioned in the noncompliance message
4. Launch the newly installed MTD app and sign in using work or school credentials
5. Complete any necessary setup or activation procedures within the app
6. Allow up to 30 minutes for the compliance status to refresh in Intune

If the device remains noncompliant after this waiting period, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Step 2: Refresh the Connection

When the MTD app is already installed but the connection appears broken:

1. Open the MTD application on the device
2. Sign out of the current work or school account session
3. Sign back in using the same credentials
4. Wait up to 30 minutes for Intune to recognize the refreshed connection

This process often resolves temporary communication issues between the MTD app and Intune services.

Step 3: Reinstall the MTD Application

If connection refreshing doesn't resolve the issue, a complete reinstallation may be necessary:

1. Uninstall the existing MTD application from the device
2. Restart the device to clear any residual processes
3. Open the Company Portal app and reinstall the MTD application
4. Launch the app and sign in with work or school credentials
5. Complete any required setup or activation steps
6. Allow up to 30 minutes for compliance status to update

Verifying Device Compliance Status

Users can check their device's compliance status at any time through these steps:

1. Open the Company Portal app on the device
2. Navigate to the "Devices" section
3. Select the specific device to view its current compliance status

If the device shows as compliant, normal access to work or school resources should be restored. If noncompliance persists despite following the resolution steps, users should wait an additional few minutes and recheck, as status updates can occasionally take longer than 30 minutes to propagate through the system.

Additional Resources and Support

For organizations using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint as their MTD solution, additional guidance is available through Microsoft's official documentation. Users experiencing persistent issues should:

• Open the MTD application directly for specific remediation guidance
• Consult the Intune admin console for detailed compliance reports
• Contact their IT support team for further assistance
• Reference Microsoft's Mobile Threat Defense integration documentation for advanced troubleshooting

The integration between MTD solutions and Intune represents a critical security control for modern organizations. By following these systematic troubleshooting steps, IT administrators and users can quickly resolve compliance issues and maintain secure access to corporate resources while ensuring devices remain protected against mobile threats.

For ongoing support and updates, organizations can follow the Intune support team on social media platforms or engage with the Microsoft Community Hub for additional troubleshooting scenarios and best practices.