Custom app configurations for enterprise readiness
Learn more about custom app configurations and how to remotely configure app settings using UEM.
😃 Hey there, Apple enthusiasts! Are you tired of dealing with productivity issues and complex app management? Well then, the app configuration feature of the Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution is all you need!! This app configuration feature can help you address productivity issues and streamline app management with ease. With just a few clicks, you can ensure compliance, security, and optimal performance across all your mobile devices.
In this blog, we’re going to show you how to harness the power of UEM and perform app configuration on iOS and iPadOS devices with ease. So, get ready to discover the tips and tricks that will take your business to the next level. Stay tuned until the very end, because we promise it’s going to be worth it!
Table of Contents
- What is iOS / iPadOS app configuration?
- Why is it important?
- How to deploy app configurations on iOS / iPadOS devices?
- Prerequisites
- Deploy iOS / iPadOS app configurations with Hexnode UEM
- Experience the power of app configuration with Hexnode UEM
- Common issues with app configuration
- Best practices for app configuration
- In conclusion…
What is iOS / iPadOS app configuration?
App configuration is the process of setting up an app after installation. It’s all about customizing the app to meet your organization’s specific needs. This may include adjusting the functionality to match organizational workflow or configuring security settings to align with the policies. You can also enable or disable features, set up notifications, and control access to the app’s resources.
But it’s not just about personal preferences. App configuration is also especially important for businesses that require their employees to adhere to specific guidelines. By configuring apps to meet those requirements, businesses can ensure that their employees are using the right apps in the right way. This can include restricting access to certain features or data, as well as ensuring that the app meets certain security standards.
Overall, app configuration is an essential step in getting the most out of apps, whether you’re using them for personal or business purposes. So, next time you download an app, take the time to configure it to your preferences and witness the significant improvement it can bring to your overall user experience!
Why is it important?
As employees are the backbone of any enterprise, it is essential to ensure that they use up-to-date and advanced apps to keep your company competitive and ahead of the curve. App configuration is vital for businesses for a variety of reasons. Are you curious to know why? Well then, let’s delve into the primary reasons together, shall we?
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- Ensures app security: App configuration helps businesses to ensure that their employees are using the updated version of an app. This can help protect against vulnerabilities and ensure that the app is functioning securely. With app configuration, we can ensure that sensitive information is kept secure and that employees can only access the information they need to do their jobs. This can help prevent data breaches and protect your company’s reputation.
- Boosts productivity: App configuration can help to improve productivity by streamlining app usage and minimizing distractions. This can include setting up notifications to keep employees on track or disabling certain features that might be distracting. By streamlining the app usage, employees will stay focused on their work and will increase their productivity.
- Facilitates device management: App configuration facilitates device management for IT teams by ensuring consistency across many devices. They can customize app settings through app configuration and apply them to company devices. This can help ensure that everyone is using the same apps and settings, making it easier for IT teams to manage devices and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
How to deploy app configurations on iOS / iPadOS devices?
It can be difficult to deploy app configurations on iOS and iPadOS devices, especially if you are unfamiliar with the procedure. However, you can make the procedure straightforward and effective with the appropriate steps and knowledge.
You can distribute AppConfig in iOS and iPadOS only through Mobile Device Management (MDM) applications. This is because Apple’s AppConfig framework was created to cooperate with MDMs to simplify the processes involved in app deployment and management. The devices receive the AppConfig payload from the MDM server, which is then used to automatically configure the app settings on the devices.
Prerequisites
There are a few things you need to perform before you start distributing app configurations on iOS and iPadOS devices:
- Ensure the specified apps are managed by your MDM solution
- Identify the configuration keys the app supports
Deploy iOS / iPadOS app configurations with Hexnode UEM
Deploying app configurations on iOS and iPadOS devices is a crucial part of managing an enterprise’s mobile devices. Fortunately, it’s easy to set up app configurations using Hexnode UEM. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Create an XML file
The first step is to create an XML file with the app configuration settings you want to deploy. Ensure that the XML file uses the AppConfig format.
Step 2: Upload the XML file to Hexnode UEM
Next, upload the XML file to Hexnode UEM by logging in to the portal and heading to the Apps tab. Filter out the iOS apps by selecting the Platform as iOS on the right-hand side of the page. Select the app for which you want to define app configurations. Then click on the gear icon located at the top right of the app details box, and choose the app configuration option. Check the update app configuration box and download the sample XML file to ensure that the format is followed correctly. Once you prepare the required XML file, upload it by selecting the XML file and clicking save.
Step 3: Deploy the app configurations
After uploading the XML file to Hexnode UEM, you can deploy the app configurations to your iOS and iPadOS devices by creating a configuration profile and assigning it to the devices.
Step 4: Verify the app configurations
Once you deploy the app configurations, it’s essential to ensure their proper implementation. You can verify the app settings on your devices to confirm that the configurations were correctly applied.
Additionally, you can use wildcards in the XML file to substitute a value with device information stored on Hexnode, such as %username%, %domain%, %email%, and %phoneNumber%. It’s important to note that this feature is only applicable for enterprise and store apps on iOS and iPad devices.
Experience the power of app configuration with Hexnode UEM
Hexnode UEM solution offers a wide range of app configuration options to help businesses tailor their app settings to their specific needs. With Hexnode, admins can configure different types of apps, including store apps, enterprise apps and web apps for iOS and iPad devices.
Hexnode UEM stands out for its impressive capability of not only deploying iOS apps but also allowing for the customization of in-app configurations. With in-app configurations, admins can pre-configure settings like logins and accounts, thus saving users valuable time when setting up new apps. This can be especially helpful for businesses that have a large number of devices to manage, as it can eliminate the need for manual app configuration on each device.
The set of variables that can be configured depends on the provisions built-in by the app developer and can vary from developer to developer. However, with Hexnode UEM, you can be sure that the app configurations are pushed in XML format, alongside the deployed app or as standalone for already installed apps. This ensures that the configurations are consistent across all devices and that they can be updated easily whenever necessary.
Common issues with app configuration
Configuring apps for business can often lead to various issues, and it’s a common challenge that many businesses face. But there’s no need to worry as there are strategies and tools available to help resolve these issues quickly. Let’s take a quick look at some of the common problems that arise during app configuration.
- Troubleshooting issues
Configuring apps can be complex, and mistakes made during the process can lead to issues with the app. Therefore, it’s crucial to have troubleshooting measures in place to identify and address any problems that may arise.
Identifying the root cause of the issue, determining the best course of action to fix it, and implementing any necessary changes to the app configuration or device settings are part of the troubleshooting process. With a solid troubleshooting plan in place, businesses can resolve issues quickly and efficiently, and ensure that their apps are running smoothly.
- Installation and updating issues
Deploying an app to multiple devices can be challenging and ensuring that the installation and updates are successful on all devices can be even more daunting. Businesses need to have effective tools and strategies in place to tackle such issues.
One approach is to automate the installation and update process, which reduces the risk of human error and saves time. Another strategy is to conduct thorough testing before deploying the app to ensure that it runs smoothly on all devices.
- App compatibility issues
App compatibility is another challenge that businesses face when configuring apps. Different devices and operating systems can make it difficult to ensure that all apps are compatible and functioning correctly.
By being aware of common issues with app configuration and having effective tools and strategies in place to tackle them, businesses can configure apps quickly and efficiently according to their specific requirements.
Featured Resource
Hexnode iOS Management Solution
Hexnode UEM enables you to set up, deploy, manage, and secure iOS devices in your enterprise by simply unifying all management functionalities.
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Best practices for app configuration
To ensure a smooth and efficient app configuration process, businesses need to follow some best practices. You might find it helpful to keep some of these practices in mind for future reference!
- You should keep app configurations up to date to ensure that they continue to work properly. By regularly checking for updates and implementing them on time, businesses can ensure that their apps remain secure and functional.
- It is important for the organization to maintain policies for configuring the app. This involves setting clear guidelines and policies for app configuration and ensuring that they are consistently followed. This can help to minimize errors and ensure that app configurations are consistent across devices and users.
- The organization should also frequently audit app configuration settings. By periodically reviewing app configurations, businesses can identify any potential issues or inconsistencies and take action to address them. This can help to improve security, streamline app usage, and minimize disruptions.
In conclusion…
Remember, the key to getting the most out of your iOS and iPadOS apps is to take the time to configure them properly. In fact, app configuration is so important that without it, device management can be a nightmare for IT teams. With UEM and its app configuration feature, you can take a proactive approach to managing your devices, instead of constantly putting out fires.
Whether you’re using your device for work, entertainment, or education, exploring the settings and options available on your device can boost productivity and efficiency. But why stop there? Hexnode UEM is a great option for making app configuration a breeze, taking the headache out of the process for IT admins everywhere. Now, it’s easier than ever to get your apps working just the way you want them to.
So, go ahead, dive into those settings, and make the most out of your apps. If you find this blog interesting, don’t hesitate to share this with your friends as well. Enjoy using your apps and we’ll catch you in the next blog post! Buh-bye 👋🏻
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