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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.iru.com/llms.txt

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Apple Business Manager is now Apple Business. Apple School Manager is unchanged. For more information, see Introducing Apple Business and Apple Business Manager is now Apple Business.

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About Adding Devices to Apple Business or Apple School Manager

Adding devices to Apple Business or Apple School Manager enables automated device enrollment and centralized management of Apple devices. This process allows organizations to manage devices that were not automatically registered in the portal at purchase (for example, consumer channel purchases).

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How It Works

Devices are added to Apple Business or Apple School Manager using Apple Configurator, which connects to the device and registers it with Apple’s servers. Once added, devices can be assigned to MDM servers like Iru Endpoint for automated enrollment and management. The process requires physical connection to a Mac computer and may involve device erasure.

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Prerequisites

  • Apple Configurator 2: Download and install Apple Configurator 2 from the Mac App Store
  • Apple Account: Ensure you have access to a Managed Apple Account for Apple Business or Apple School Manager
  • Physical Access: Devices must be physically connected to a Mac computer
  • Network Connectivity: Ensure devices can connect to Apple’s activation servers
  • Backup Strategy: Back up device data before proceeding as devices will be erased

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Adding macOS Devices

  • Operating System Limitations: Mac computers on Big Sur or earlier operating systems cannot be added to Apple Business or Apple School Manager using Apple Configurator. Some resellers may allow past purchases to be added to your organization’s account there. Contact your reseller or Apple Store Business Representative for more information
  • Apple Configurator Method: If you’re adding Mac computers to Apple Business or Apple School Manager without the assistance of a reseller, you will need to use Apple Configurator for iOS. Follow this Apple Support Guide for instructions

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Adding iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS Devices

Any Apple devices that are physically connected to your Mac will be erased by proceeding with the following steps. This is required and cannot be skipped. Please disconnect any devices you aren’t planning to add to Apple Business or Apple School Manager. If needed, back up your device before proceeding.
  • 30-Day Provisional Period: After the devices are placed into Apple Business or Apple School Manager, the user has a 30-day provisional period to remove the device from the portal and from MDM. The provisional period begins after the device is activated. After 30 days, the device can only be released through the portal
  • Apple Configurator for iOS: iOS and iPadOS devices can also be added to Apple Business or Apple School Manager using Apple Configurator for iOS. For further instructions on adding them using that method, follow this Apple Support Guide
  • Enrollment Limitation: Enrolling iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS devices in Iru Endpoint via Apple Configurator is not supported. The method outlined in this document will add these devices to Apple Business or Apple School Manager, but will not enroll them within Iru Endpoint. To enroll devices in Iru Endpoint after they appear in the portal, review our enrollment guides:

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Downloading Apple Configurator

You can download Apple Configurator 2 by visiting this link. To complete the download, you will need an Apple Account.

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Creating a Wi-Fi Profile

Unless using a wired internet connection local to the device, a Wi-Fi profile is required for the device to reach Apple’s activation servers. Ensure you create a profile that will allow the device to connect to the internet.
1

Create New Profile

In Apple Configurator, click File, then New Profile from the menu bar.
2

Configure General Settings

In the General section, fill in the following profile details.
  • Name: For example: “Wi-Fi Profile”
  • Identifier: Leave as is. This code is unique to the profile making future updates identifiable
  • Organization: Your company name
  • Description: Provide a brief description. For instance: “WiFi Provisioning Profile”
  • Automatically Remove Profile: Set this option to After Interval and set 0 days, 1 hour
3

Configure Wi-Fi Payload

Click the Wi-Fi payload option on the left-hand side, and select Configure.
4

Input Network Details

Input your organization’s valid Wi-Fi network details.
5

Save Profile

Select File, then Save from the Menu bar and save the file. Note the location where you save this file - you’ll need it later.

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Adding Devices to Apple Business or Apple School Manager

Connect your device directly to your Mac and open Apple Configurator.
If you are trying to connect an Apple TV 4K (which does not have a physical port to connect to) follow this Apple Support article on how to connect wirelessly.
1

Prepare Device

Click on the device inside of Apple Configurator, and click Prepare.
2

Select Manual Configuration

Select Manual Configuration.
3

Add to Apple Business or Apple School Manager

Select Add to Apple Business or Apple School Manager.
4

Configure Enrollment

Deselect Activate and Complete Enrollment and click Next.
5

Create New Server

Select New Server… and click Next.
6

Configure Server Details

Enter a name of your choosing in the Name field.
7

Set Host URL

Enter the following URL in the Host name or URL field. Please note that this URL will not verify. https://myserver.local/devicemanagement/mdm/dep_mdm_enroll
8

Skip Certificate

Click Next, don’t add a certificate, then click Next again.
9

Assign Organization

Assign to the Organization you have set up in Apple Business or Apple School Manager and click Next.
10

Configure Setup Screens

Optionally, select which setup screens you prefer to skip during setup, then click Next.
11

Select Network Profile

Choose the Network Profile you created in the first part of this guide.
12

Sign In to Apple Business or Apple School Manager

Sign in to your Apple Business or Apple School Manager account using your Managed Apple Account and password, and click Next.
13

Complete Process

Leave the device plugged in and allow the process to complete. If prompted that the device is already set up and must be erased, click Erase to continue.
Do not proceed with the initial device Setup Assistant without following the next steps first. The device may need to be erased again if the next steps are not performed prior to device setup.

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Assigning Devices in Apple Business or Apple School Manager

1

Access Apple Business or Apple School Manager

Sign in to Apple Business or Apple School Manager and go to the Devices section.
2

Search for Device

Click the Search Devices option in the upper left-hand corner, and paste in the serial number of the device we just added to Apple Business or Apple School Manager.
3

Assign to MDM Server

Click the Edit MDM Server button and assign it to your Iru Endpoint server. Click Continue.
4

Confirm Assignment

You will receive a confirmation screen that the device assignment has been updated.
5

Verify in Iru Endpoint

Sign in to the Iru Endpoint Web App, go to Enrollment → Automated Device Enrollment, and confirm that you see the desired device listed. If you don’t see the device listed, click Fetch devices in the top right-hand corner to force Iru Endpoint to check for newly added devices.
Once confirmed, proceed with the device setup. Properly configured devices will present a Remote Management prompt during Setup Assistant.

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Considerations

  • Device Erasure: All devices will be erased during the Apple Business or Apple School Manager addition process
  • Backup Requirements: Always back up device data before proceeding with the addition process
  • 30-Day Provisional Period: Users have 30 days to remove devices from Apple Business or Apple School Manager after activation
  • Setup Assistant: Follow proper setup procedures to avoid device re-erasure
  • Physical Connection: Devices must be physically connected to a Mac computer for the process
  • Apple Configurator Requirements: Download and install Apple Configurator 2 from the Mac App Store
  • Wi-Fi Profile: Create appropriate Wi-Fi profiles for devices to connect to activation servers
  • Network Connectivity: Ensure devices can connect to Apple’s activation servers during the process
  • Apple Business or Apple School Manager access: Ensure you have administrative access to the portal
  • MDM Server Assignment: Assign devices to the correct Iru Endpoint MDM server after addition
  • Device Verification: Verify devices appear in Iru Endpoint after assignment
  • Documentation: Keep records of device serial numbers and assignment details
  • Testing: Test the device addition process in a controlled environment before production
  • Monitoring: Regularly monitor device status and enrollment success rates
  • Support: Contact Iru Endpoint Support for assistance with complex device addition scenarios