Use Shortcuts automations in Apple Configurator
Using the Shortcuts app, you can create workflows to uniformly and efficiently configure large numbers of iOS and iPadOS devices with Apple Configurator. Shortcuts provides feedback on the progression of actions, and you can also automate shortcuts based on devices being attached, detached, and more.
Create a new shortcut
Use Launchpad to open Shortcuts
on your Mac.Choose File > New Shortcut.
On the right, click the Apps tab, then click Apple Configurator.
Drag any of the Apple Configurator actions to the shortcut area to view what they do.
Create your workflow, test it, then save it as a shortcut.
Below is an example Apple Configurator shortcut. The final step in this example would be to add this data to your MDM, check with your MDM vendor to see if they have shortcut actions available. If they do not, you would ask if they have an API that you can leverage to submit the data.
Run a shortcut upon attach or detach
Use Launchpad to open Apple Configurator
on your Mac.In the top left, choose Apple Configurator > Settings.
Choose Shortcuts, then select one or both of the following:
Run shortcut upon attach: When devices are attached, automatically run this shortcut.
Run shortcut upon detach: When devices are detached, automatically run this shortcut.
Shortcuts that run on detach are useful for writing logs or similar tasks. They can’t interface with the device, because they run after it’s disconnected.
Note: When a shortcut is configured to run on attach or detach, a purple Shortcuts Active message appears at the top of Apple Configurator. In addition, other Apple Configurator functions are unavailable until the attach and detach shortcuts are disabled.
The Apple Configurator actions in the Shortcuts app and their descriptions are listed below:
Action | Description |
|---|---|
Erase All Content and Settings | Erases all content and settings on the specified connected devices and returns them to Setup Assistant. Be aware that this action will permanently remove all data and settings from these devices. |
Find Connected Devices | Finds all connected iOS and iPadOS devices and returns them as an output. (Optionally) limits result devices to a specific type, such as iPhone or iPad. Intended for use within the Shortcuts app. Shortcut actions provided with Apple Configurator take lists of connected devices as input and provide them as output. For other actions not designed to handle lists as input, the “Repeat with Each” shortcuts action is useful. |
Find Connected Devices from Input | Converts ECIDs (extended chip identifiers) from Apple Configurator into connected devices entities for use in other Apple Configurator shortcut actions. This action should be used in conjunction with Apple Configurator’s Shortcut preferences for running shortcuts when devices are attached to your Mac. “Shortcut Input” can be specified as the Device Identifier parameter. Optimal for automated shortcuts that run on attach or detach. Shortcut actions provided with Apple Configurator take lists of connected devices as input and provide them as output. For other actions not designed to handle lists as input, the “Repeat with Each” shortcuts action is useful. |
Install Configuration Profiles | Installs configuration profiles onto target devices. |
Prepare Devices using Automated Device Enrollment | Prepares the specified connected devices for deployment using Apple Business Manager, Apple School Manager, or Apple Business Essentials. This action requires devices to be part of a properly configured Apple Business Manager, Apple School Manager, or Apple Business Essentials instance and to be in Setup Assistant. |
Prepare Devices using Manual Configuration | Prepares the specified connected devices for deployment by supervising them, optionally enrolling them into mobile device management and skipping some or all of Setup Assistant. If the devices are enrolled in Apple Business Manager, Apple School Manager, or Apple Business Essentials, use the Prepare Devices using Automated Enrollment shortcut action instead. |
Rename Devices | Renames devices to the specified name. |
Restore Devices | Restores devices to the latest version of System. (Optionally) Specifies one or more IPSWs for installation. Be aware that this action permanently removes all data and settings from these devices. |
Update Device Properties | Updates values for specified device properties. |
Update Devices | Updates devices to the latest version of System. (Optionally) Specifies one or more IPSWs for installation. |
Use Organization | Uses the selected organization and its associated supervision identity when configuring connected devices. |