Device workflow in Apple Business
Overview
Apple Business provides a fast, streamlined way for you to deploy Apple devices that your organization purchases directly from Apple, a participating Apple Authorized Reseller, an authorized cellular carrier, or manually using Apple Configurator. You can automatically enroll devices in a device management service without having to physically touch or prep the devices before users get them.
You can also control whether a user can remove the enrollment profile from the device. For example, you can order or the devices, configure the management settings, and ship the devices directly to each user’s home address. After unboxing and activating the device, it automatically enrolls in a device management service and appears in Apple Business, with all management settings and apps ready for the user.
After you sign up for Apple Business, you have five steps to complete before you can start managing devices.
Step 1: Link to Apple or to a participating reseller
If you link your Apple Customer Number or Reseller Number to Apple Business, after the linking is complete, any orders of the following devices appear automatically in Apple Business: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch. See Manage device suppliers.
Step 2: Turn on the built-in management or link to an external device management service
You need to do one of the following before you can begin assigning devices:
Turn on the built-in device management service in Apple Business. See Manage the built-in device management service.
Link to at least one external device management service in Apple Business. See Link to an external device management service.
Step 3: Add your devices to Apple Business
Devices purchased with your Apple Customer Number or Reseller Number appear automatically in Apple Business. You can also manually add devices you own using Apple Configurator. See Add devices from Apple Configurator.
Step 4: Assign a device to a device management service
After a device appears in Apple Business, you need to assign it to a device management service. You can manually assign a device to a device management service or set up automatic assignment. See Assign, reassign, or unassign devices.
Step 5: Enroll a device in a device management service
Organizations can enroll devices in a device management service and apply management policies to them. You can automatically enroll devices you own, or users can enroll their devices manually. When a user enrolls their device, the device management enrollment configuration assigns it to a device management service and adds it to the device list in Apple Business.
Account-driven enrollment
Account-driven User Enrollment and account-driven Device Enrollment provide a seamless, secure way for users to set up Apple devices for work by signing in with a Managed Apple Account.
This approach allows both a Managed Apple Account and an unmanaged (personal) Apple Account to be signed in on the same device, with separation of work and personal data. Users maintain privacy over their personal information, while IT can support work-related apps, settings, and accounts.
Apple Business provides your linked external device management service the ability to configure alternate service discovery for verified domains. You can set the default device assignment for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro to the respective device management services.