This guide applies to Apple devices
About Device Naming
The Device Name Library Item helps IT administrators apply consistent naming conventions across Apple devices. It provides flexibility and control over device naming, making device management easier.How It Works
You can create standardized naming patterns using customizable formulas that include variables like asset tags, user names, blueprint names, company names, serial numbers, and custom text. The Device Name Library Item also manages device hostnames by replacing spaces with hyphens, ensuring compatibility with systems that rely on hostnames, like network security appliances.This Library Item requires supervision.
Add a Device Name Library Item
To add this Library Item to your Iru Endpoint Library, follow the steps outlined in the Library Overview article.1
Name the Library Item
Give the new Device Name Library Item a name.
2
Assign to Blueprints
Assign to your desired Blueprints.
Configure the Device Name Library Item
Device Name
1
Define Device Name Pattern
Drag variables in the Device name pattern field to define your desired pattern. Be mindful of platform-specific differences; for example, “Primary local user name” is only available for macOS.
2
Review Pattern Preview
Review the resulting pattern preview.
Hostname
By default, the Device Name Library Item will use the same pattern for the device name and hostname. Optionally, you can configure the Device Name Library Item to have separate device name and hostname patterns on Mac computers (allowing the device name to be more user-friendly).1
Enable Custom Hostname
Select Customize hostname.
2
Define Hostname Pattern
Drag variables into the hostname pattern field to define your desired pattern.
3
Review Hostname Preview
Review the resulting pattern preview.
Hostname Considerations
- If you deselected Mac in the device families, the Hostname section will be disabled as MDM can only manage hostname on Mac. iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and visionOS devices set their hostname automatically based on the Device Name.
- iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS devices connect to Wi-Fi networks with Private Wi-Fi Address turned on by default. With this setting turned on, the device does not share the hostname with the network. Instead, it shares the device’s Model Name, e.g., iPad Pro 11 (4th Gen). You can turn this setting off using the Disable MAC address randomization configuration option in the Wi-Fi Library Item.
Device name modification
1
Configure Name Protection
Optionally, to prevent users from modifying the device name or hostname, select the Prevent users from modifying device name and hostname checkbox.
2
Save Library Item
Click the Save button to save the Device Name Library Item to your Library.
- On iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS and macOS 14 Sonoma and later, this will set the Supervised restriction preventing users from modifying their device’s name. On macOS versions prior to macOS 14 Sonoma, the Kandji Agent will remediate device name and hostname changes after the next Agent check-in.
Manually rename a device
macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS device names can be set directly on the associated device record page. This action will be unavailable if you have a Device Name Library Item set to configure the device’s name. Manually renaming a device does not change the device hostname.This Device Action requires supervision.
1
Navigate to Device Record
Navigate to a device record.
2
Open Device Actions Menu
Click the Device Action menu in the upper right corner.
3
Select Set Device Name
Click Set device name from the action menu.
4
Enter Device Name
Enter a device name into the Set Device Name window.
5
Confirm Device Name
Click Set Device Name.