Distributing apps through the Volume Purchasing Program (VPP)

Use managed distribution to install apps purchased through the Volume Purchase Program (VPP).

When you buy apps and books* in volume, you can distribute them directly to your users in one of three ways:

When you purchase content from the VPP store, you're offered the choice of managed distribution or redemption codes. If you choose managed distribution, you can assign apps to users, or devices, or both.

Use these guidelines to help determine which of these options is best for your institution. 

Distribute using Managed Distribution

Distribute using redemption codes

User Assignment

Device Assignment

User Redemption

Requires iOS 7 or later, or OS X OS X Mavericks or later.

Requires iOS 9 or later, or OS X OS X El Capitan or later.

N/A

Free and paid apps and books* are available.

Free and paid apps* are available.

Paid apps and books* are available.

Apps and books* are assigned to your MDM server for distribution.

Apps* are assigned to your MDM server for distribution.

You receive an email when your codes are ready. You can also download an XLS spreadsheet from the VPP website. Codes can be distributed individually to users or can be distributed with Apple Configurator.

Apps can be revoked from one Apple ID and reassigned to a different Apple ID or device as needed. Books* cannot be revoked.

Apps* can be revoked from one device and reassigned to a different device or Apple ID as needed.

Redemption codes are permanently associated with the Apple ID that redeems them.

Users must have an Apple ID and accept an invitation to participate in managed distribution.

No Apple ID or invitation is required. 

Users must have an Apple ID and redeem the codes in iTunes or the App Store.

Apps are assigned to a user. The user can install the app from Purchases, or the app can be installed automatically by MDM

Apps* are assigned to a device. They do not appear in any user’s Purchases. They must be installed by MDM or Apple Configurator 2.

Apps are assigned to and installed by the user who redeems the code.

Assigned apps and books* can be used on any device that the user owns.

Assigned apps* can be used by anyone who uses the assigned device.

Assigned apps and books* can be used on any device that the user owns.

Apps are not shared with family members.

Apps are not shared with family members.

Apps and books* redeemed manually by an end-user on their own Apple ID are shared with family members.

 

*Some apps and books might not be available subject to location and developer opt-in.

If you are currently using redeemable codes, learn how to migrate to managed distribution.

For more information on managing devices, visit:

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