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 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.
Adding, assigning, and enrolling devices
Before you begin, there are three terms that apply in Apple Business regarding devices:
Add: Adding a device can happen in two ways:
You can add devices you own. You purchase the devices from Apple, an Apple Authorized Reseller, an authorized cellular carrier, or, manually add them with Apple Configurator. When you do this, the device’s serial number appears in Apple Business. These devices aren’t automatically assigned to a device management service (you can configure that in the Devices section. See Set the default device assignment) nor are they automatically enrolled in that device management service.
Users can add their device by signing in with their Managed Apple Account. When they do this, their device is enrolled in your device management service. If you have more than one device management service, you need to make sure you select the correct one before the user signs in to their device.
Assign: Assigning a device means the device is associated with a specific device management service.
Enroll: Enrolling a device is done in two main ways:
Automatically, for devices you own.
When the user signs in with their Managed Apple Account on a device you own or they own.
Step 1: Link to Apple, an Apple Authorized Reseller, or an authorized cellular carrier
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.
Important: Don’t add user devices with Apple Configurator. When you add a device with Apple Configurator, the device is erased.
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.