Add macOS devices to ABM using Apple Configurator

Until recently, only macOS devices purchased directly from Apple, or their trusted resellers could be added to Apple Business Manager. This means, if your device was purchased from elsewhere, you would not be able to perform Automated Device Enrollment.

During Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC21), Apple finally announced the ability to manually add macOS devices to ABM using Apple Configurator on an iPhone. This implies that you can now take full advantage of Automated Device Enrollment regardless of your source of purchase.

Install Apple Configurator on iPhone

1. Go to the App Store and install Apple Configurator.
2. Once installed, open the app and grant access to Bluetooth by clicking OK in the pop-up window. Then click Continue.
3. Sign in using your Managed Apple ID that has the Device Enrollment Manager role.



4. Grant access to the Camera to scan pairing codes that appear on Mac.
5. Once the app is prepared, you can configure additional settings for the device to be added to ABM by tapping the gear icon. You can decide how to connect your Mac to the internet and which MDM server to assign it.

NETWORK CONFIGURATION

To set up your Mac’s internet connection, you can either share the same Wi-Fi network credentials or use a network configuration profile.

• Share Network: If you choose this option, the Mac will connect to the internet using the same network credentials as the one configured in the Apple Configurator app of the iPhone when it starts.
• Configuration Profile: You need to create a configuration profile with a Wi-Fi or 802.1x payload credentials. Save the profile in a location in the Files app and then configure it in Apple Configurator.

MDM SERVER ASSIGNMENT

On devices running iOS 17 and later, you can assign an MDM server to macOS devices directly from Apple Configurator.

You can either assign your Mac to a specific MDM server or the default MDM server set for Mac’s in Apple Business Manager (ABM).

• None: Selecting this option will add the macOS devices to the ABM without assigning any MDM server. You can assign the added macOS devices to the Hexnode UEM server from the ABM portal later.
• Default: If you choose this option, the Mac will be assigned to the default MDM server set for Mac in the ABM. To view the default MDM server list for different device types,
  1. Go to Apple Business Manager and sign in to your account.
  2. Click on the account name at the bottom of the left side panel and navigate to Preferences > MDM Server Assignment > Default MDM Server Assignment.



• Specific: When you sign in with your managed Apple ID to the Apple Configurator, all the MDM servers listed under your organization will be synced automatically. By choosing this option, you can assign your Mac to a specific MDM server directly from the Apple Configurator.

Assign macOS devices to ABM

1. If you’ve purchased a new macOS device and it is yet to get started, skip directly to step 2. On the other hand, if you want to assign an already configured macOS device to ABM, you must erase all existing content and settings on it.
   1. Navigate to Apple Menu and select System Preferences. Now click on Erase All Content and Settings from the System Preferences menu in the menu bar.
   2. In the Erase Assistant option, provide your administrator credentials and review the items that will be erased apart from the content and settings.
   3. Follow the onscreen instructions and wait for the Mac to restart.
2. Launch the Apple Configurator app on your iPhone when the Mac starts up at Setup Assistant screen.
3. Hold the iPhone close to the Mac to be assigned. Within a few seconds, the Mac will present the assign screen automatically.



4. Position the pattern in the circle to scan the image that appears in the Setup Assistant. If the pairing fails, tap on Pair Manually in the Apple Configurator app and select Pair Manually in the lower-left corner of the Setup Assistant on Mac. Now, enter the six-digit code that appears on the screen.



5. Your device will be assigned within a few seconds.



6. Once the device is assigned, tap the menu in the lower right corner of the app on the iPhone to see the list of devices assigned by the app.

Assign the added macOS devices to the Hexnode UEM Server

1. Sign in to Apple Business Manager (ABM)/Apple School Manager (ASM).
2. Navigate to Devices. Choose the filter type as Source and then select Manually Added > Apple Configurator. From the list of available devices, you can verify whether your macOS device is added to DEP or not.
3. Select the required device from the list.
4. Click on Edit MDM server, select the MDM server to assign the devices with that server.

Open your Hexnode UEM portal and navigate to Enroll > All Enrollments > No-Touch > Apple Business/School Manager. If the process has been successful, you’ll find the devices under DEP Devices. If the devices do not appear here, click Sync with DEP to sync with Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager.

What happens at the device end?

The DEP configuration profile is associated with the device as soon as the device starts up. The device enrollment is then initiated, and the configuration settings associated with the device will be deployed.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Common errors while enrolling in Apple Business Manager.
• Common errors while enrolling macOS devices in Hexnode UEM