iPad MDM: a complete guide

Manual iPad management is impractical at scale. Organizations managing hundreds or thousands of iPads face the potential of configuration drift, inconsistent security enforcement, and lost devices without remote wipe capabilities.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solves this by automatically enforcing settings on managed devices while enabling iPad-specific features like Shared iPad multi-user mode and Single App Mode that require MDM management.

This guide will help your organization to understand some of the special considerations around managing iPad.

Understanding unique MDM for iPad capabilities

MDM for iPad goes beyond simply adopting iPhone or Mac management strategies. For example, Shared iPad is one of several interesting management options. Data belonging to multiple users of a single iPad is segregated, similar to the way local accounts keep user data separated per user on a Mac or PC.

Shared iPad can work especially well in use cases around data collection "in the field", labs and school classrooms for organizations watching hardware deployment costs. Field teams can share devices across territories while IT maintains visibility into contractor-issued iPads accessing corporate resources. These capabilities can also enable remote work across multiple time zones. In schools, these capabilities mean iPads can belong to a particular lab or room without needing to be assigned to a particular student.

MDM for iPad deployment models

Organizations typically deploy iPads using one or more of the following deployment models depending on their needs:

• Corporate-owned iPads get assigned 1:1 for specific employees with full MDM management capabilities enabled

• Shared iPads support multiple users through Managed Apple Account authentication with automatic data management

• Kiosk iPads lock to single applications for dedicated functions like:

  • Check-in counters
  • Conference room management
  • Customer feedback collection
  • Health care
  • Points-of-sale
  • Product information displays

These deployment models serve different use cases and unlock management capabilities that match how an organization uses iPad.

Why organizations need MDM for iPad

Manually managing small numbers of iPads is possible in a single physical location, however, proper management becomes much more difficult beyond 50-100 iPads regardless of physical proximity. Manual configuration can delay deployment while configuration drift occurs as users modify settings without any central enforcement mechanisms. Inconsistent app versions multiply across your fleet and lost devices without remote wipe capability represent unacceptable security exposure.

MDM solves these deployment challenges systematically. IT teams can deploy configuration profiles and MDM commands to enforce settings across thousands of iPads automatically. Software updates for iPadOS can automatically be enforced across your entire fleet without touching individual devices.

Beyond these basic benefits, different enterprise sectors face distinct operational pressures on iPad deployment: educational institutions need rapid deployment capabilities for upcoming school terms, health care organizations face HIPAA compliance around encryption and access controls and retail deployments need locked kiosk iPads that prevent personal use during shifts. MDM for iPad makes tackling these challenges possible.

How MDM for iPad works: the architecture and enrollment process

Technical architecture

iPad MDM enrollment creates a persistent connection between an organization's devices and management servers through the Apple Push Notification service (APNs). Each iPad has an MDM profile connected to your MDM server and enrollment certificates that establish a trust relationship.

When an organization create and deploys controls to iPads, the MDM server sends push notifications through APNs that prompt managed iPads to check in. The devices contact the MDM server, retrieve pending commands and configuration profiles, execute changes locally, and report compliance status back.

This works across any internet connection assuming the MDM server is configured for public communication and on private networks configured for use with Apple devices. This effectively means devices can be reached to perform management actions anywhere.

MDM enrollment methods

Organizations can choose from three enrollment methods that provide different management capabilities depending on device ownership:

• Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) through Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) provides the most streamlined approach for devices purchased through Apple or authorized Apple reseller channels. Devices automatically contact Apple services and walk the end user through a guided Setup Assistant workflow and an automated provisioning process resulting in a fully-managed device on-demand without admin interaction or IT help.

• User Enrollment creates separate management on the device for corporate apps, data and access to resources while maintaining strict privacy boundaries around personal data which can't be deleted via management.

• Device Enrollment requires manual profile installation but can provide management suitable for scenarios where full organizational control isn't required.

The enrollment method chosen determines the level of control an organization has over devices and how much privacy protection exists for personal data. Matching enrollment type to device ownership and use case is critical.

Supervised vs. unsupervised capabilities

Supervision determine which MDM features are available on enrolled devices. Getting devices supervised requires either Automated Device Enrollment through Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager during initial setup or using Apple Configurator with physical USB connectivity to each device.

Two supervision levels serve different organizational needs:

• Supervision - Organizations can unlock advanced capabilities that address enterprise requirements, like:

• De[ploying managed apps

• Hiding specific Apple native applications from home screens

• Making MDM management immutable so end users can't remove the MDM profile

• Restricting data exfiltration paths like AirDrop and Sharing

• Single App Mode for kiosk deployments

• Unsupervised devices - Basic MDM functionality for scenarios where full organizational control isn't required.

An institutionally-owned iPad deployed 1:1 for a single employee as a primary work device justifies comprehensive supervised control. Shared iPads require supervision since multi-user functionality won't work otherwise.

"Unsupervised" is the correct mode for BYOD devices. User Enrollment creates separation between work apps and personal apps while maintaining user data privacy.

Supervised devices can't be converted to unsupervised devices without erasing all data contained on them and re-enrolling them into MDM.

Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager integration

ABM and ASM integration allows your organization to easily grow your iPad deployments to enterprise scale. ABM / ASM administrators can assign devices to one or many MDM servers in the portal. In addition, most MDM solutions allow for multiple enrollment groupings, meaning enrollment can be customized for potentially unique deployments like special-use iPads if needed.

When users power on a new iPad, the device contacts an Apple service configured to recognize and handoff managed devices to specific MDM servers. This ensures that devices belonging to your organization are assigned the correct enrollment profile. Once enrollment is complete, all management configurations are delivered. Fully remote, "touchless" iPad deployments which make use of Apple's "Return To Service" MDM features are also possible.

Five key MDM features for iPads

Configuration and security capabilities

Remote configuration capabilities allow admins to push settings to all iPads from the console of an MDM server. Organizations can configure:

• Certificate deployment enabling secure authentication to enterpriwe resources
• Device restrictions like passcode complexity requirements, auto-lock timing, and encryption
• User configurations like email accounts with automatic setup
• VPN connections using certificate-based authentication
• Wi-Fi networks including enterprise authentication

App deployment and updates

App management handles initial app installation through updates and app removal. Organizations can deploy apps through Apps and Books licensing, distribute custom enterprise applications, configure automatic updates, and remove applications remotely when needed. Managed app configurations can include:

• Managed apps that create isolation to keep work and personal data separate at the iPadOS level
• Managed Open In settings that prevent users from copying data between managed and unmanaged apps
• Per-app VPN and VPN-on-demand settings for protecting work data

Shared iPad for multi-user environments

Shared iPad mode supports multiple users on a single device. This works well for classrooms where multiple users may need access to a single iPad throughout the day, or in health care environments where iPads may require quick turnover / refresh cycles with strict requirements around data. iPads excel in these types of environments where sophisticated document distribution and data handling is required (complemented by Apple Pencil and keyboard configurations that support specialized productivity or learning workflows.)

Single App Mode for kiosk deployments

Single App Mode and Guided Access allow kiosk deployments that work naturally for stationary iPads in retail, health care, hospitality or service industry settings. This capability locks devices to specific applications for dedicated business functions. Single App Mode requires supervised devices and provides enterprise-grade lockdown to prevent hardware button access, edge swipes that normally reveal Control Center, and home screen access.

This level of control has made iPad a practical choice for retail point-of-sale systems, reception control and health care / patient check-in kiosks.

End users can’t access settings or apps that live outside of Single App Mode by design. MDM allows IT teams to remotely exit kiosk mode for maintenance or troubleshooting.

Remote lock and wipe

When an end user loses control of an iPad, response capabilities determine how effectively an organization can contain potential damage.

Managed Lost mode can immediately secure an iPad by locking out controls and the touch screen while displaying a custom message with IT contact information.

Remote wipe is available for fully supervised, managed devices and BYOD iPad, but, the wipe process preserves personal data on BYOD devices. Supervised institutionally-owned devices can be completely wiped as needed.

Managing BYOD iPads: balancing security and privacy

Allowing employees to use personal devices in enterprise environments requires a careful balance between security and privacy. BYOD programs can save organizations money by allowing employees use personal iPads for work. Full separation between personal and organizational data is possible through enrollment and managed app containers paired with Managed Apple Accounts.

When iPads are enrolled via User Enrollment, iPadOS creates separate volumes for personal and work data. MDM servers inventory managed applications, application data and management status but do not inventory personal files, notes, photos, messages, or browsing history. When an employee leaves an organization the selective wipe feature removes corporate data while leaving personal content intact.

MDM for iPad use cases across industries

• Distributed workforce management for field service technicians and remote workers who need consistent device configurations without visiting central offices, MDM for iPad ensures devices arrive pre-configured with required applications, VPN connections, and enforced security policies.

• Shared device environments for environments where multiple employees rotate through the shared hardware across shifts, MDM for iPad ensures health care facilities make use of features that safely allow users to access electronic health records while meeting HIPAA encryption requirements. Educational institutions rely on similar iPad capabilities for classroom device sharing.

• Locked-down kiosk deployments for dedicated business functions like standardizing on iPad POS systems across hundreds of locations, retail chains can use Single App Mode to prevent personal use while supporting consistent, secure payment processing.

• BYOD programs at enterprise scale for organizations where employees use personal iPads for work while IT maintains security boundaries. User Enrollment allows for work data security while respecting employee privacy.

Choosing the right MDM

Selecting an MDM solution requires evaluating how well your organization's operational requirements and environment fit its features.

Cross-platform control, API support, hosting and pricing

Beyond iPad, top-level considerations when choosing an MDM include:

• Cross-platform support which matters when managing iPads alongside Mac, iPhone, Windows, Linux, Chromebook and Android devices. One of the biggest benefits of cross-platform MDM solutions is allowing organizations to manage everything from a single console.

• API-first design which means integrations are considered as a basic feature. API architecture determines whether your organization can build automations and integrate new services with existing enterprise systems including identity providers and ticketing systems.

• Hosting flexibility (for example, on-prem (self-hosted) vs. fully cloud-managed, hands-off hosting) addresses an organization's data sovereignty requirements.

• Pricing which obviously requires careful analysis. Per-device versus per-user licensing can dramatically affect total cost of ownership.

iPad-specific MDM capabilities

iPad-specific MDM capabilities deserve verification during MDM vendor evaluation. Shared iPad support is essential for multi-user scenarios, while kiosk mode and Single App Mode are requirements for retail deployments and digital signage installations and more. Classroom management features for education including screen monitoring and app restrictions require explicit MDM support, and ABM / ASM along with Apps and Books content integration determines whether you can implement zero-touch enrollment or manage app and content licensing at scale.

Ease of use and operational fit

Ease of use also matters. Complex MDM solutions often require extensive specialized training and dedicated staff to manage effectively. Simpler platforms may lack advanced capabilities. The key is matching MDM solution complexity to your team's technical skills. Small IT teams managing small deployments usually benefit from streamlined interfaces, while large enterprises with diverse requirements can justify investing in comprehensive MDM capabilities.

Fleet offers enterprise-grade MDM capabilities built on an open-source foundation that provides complete code transparency. API-first architecture supports GitOps workflows, and device visibility through osquery integration collects from across Mac, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, Linux, Chromebook and Android devices in a single management console.

Implementing iPad MDM at scale

Organizations managing iPad fleets remotely at scale need an MDM solution to handle device-specific capabilities like Single App Mode for kiosk deployments and Shared iPad for multi-user scenarios. Device restrictions, security enforcement, encryption via passcode management and app controls to protect sensitive data while meeting regulatory requirements and respecting privacy.

Fleet is an open-source MDM that supports iPad deployments alongside your other devices. Schedule a demo to see how Fleet can help you manage your iPad fleet with complete data transparency and operational flexibility.