Distribute content with Apps and Books in Apple School Manager, Apple Business Essentials and Apple Business Manager
Find out how to deploy apps and books that were purchased in the Apps and Books section in Apple School Manager, Apple Business Essentials and Apple Business Manager.
After you've purchased content for your educational institution or business in Apps and Books, you can distribute your purchases directly to your users.1 You can use the User Assignment and Device Assignment features of managed distribution, or the redemption codes feature of Apple Business Manager.
| Managed distribution | Redemption codes3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
User Assignment | Device Assignment | ||
Requirements |
|
| — |
Distribution of free apps | ✓ | ✓ | — |
Distribution of paid apps | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distribution of custom apps | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distribution of free books | ✓ | — | — |
Distribution of paid books | ✓ | — | ✓ |
Mobile Device Management (MDM) used for distribution1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
If apps have been revoked or reassigned, the organisation will retain ownership | ✓ | ✓ | — |
An Apple ID isn't required for access to apps | — | ✓ | — |
Content is available across multiple devices in your purchase history | ✓ | — | ✓ |
Content is available via family sharing | — | — | ✓ |
End users can make and restore in-app purchases2 | ✓ | — | ✓ |
1. Use of the Apps and Books Store is permitted after an organisation has been verified. Please refer to the sign-up guide for Apple Business Manager or Apple Business Essentials.
2. Some MDMs may support managed distribution and/or redeemable codes. Contact your MDM provider for more information on the requirements.
3. While in-app purchases aren't supported as standalone content that can be bought and distributed with Apps and Books, end users can make and restore in-app purchases from within Apps and Books-assigned apps.
4. Redemption codes are only available in Apple Business Manager.
If you want to switch from redeemable codes to managed distribution
If you're currently using redeemable codes and want to use managed distribution, find out how to migrate to managed distribution.
If your new Apps and Books purchases aren't appearing for assignment in your MDM solution
Apps and Books server tokens are valid for one calendar year, starting from the date of the initial download. Before the year ends, you'll have to go to the Account Summary section on the Apps and Books Store to get a new token. You'll also need to perform these steps if you ever change your password.
If you want to use managed distribution but don't have an MDM solution
Apple offers Apple Configurator and Apple Business Essentials. There are also many third-party options depending on the needs of your organisation.
For more information on managing devices, visit Apple Platform Deployment.
Some apps and books may not be available subject to country or region and developer opt-in status. See programme and content availability.