Add Devices to DEP

Adding Apple Devices to DEP Retroactively

With Apple DEP (Device Enrolment Program) or Automated Device Enrolment, devices can be seamlessly integrated into Relution.
If your devices were not added to your Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager by your reseller, you can add them manually to these portals.
Using the Apple Configurator for iOS/iPadOS or macOS, you can enroll your devices retroactively into DEP.
For this, you will need a macOS device (macOS 14+) or an iOS/iPadOS device (iOS/iPadOS 16+).

macOS:

Download the Apple Configurator from the App Store. If you want to use the Apple Configurator on an older device, you will need an Apple account that already owns the app.
Alternatively, you can distribute the app to devices via Relution using VPP.
Please note: Using VPP always installs the latest version of the app. Older versions cannot be installed this way.

iOS/iPadOS:

Download the Apple Configurator from the App Store or distribute the license via VPP, using Relution if your Mac is enrolled in Relution.

Preparation:

  • An active Apple School Manager (ASM) or Apple Business Manager (ABM).
  • A Mac, iPhone, or iPad with the Apple Configurator installed.
  • An iPad or iPhone to be enrolled.
  • Ensure the device meets the requirements for DEP:
    https://support.apple.com/en-us/102300.
  • A cable to connect the iPad/iPhone to the Mac (Lightning/USB-C).
  • An active internet connection and access to Apple Services.
  • Internet sharing from the Mac to your iOS device (Mac only).
  • A functional Wi-Fi configuration profile (Mac only).

Process (macOS):

To add devices to Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager, it is important to understand the state of the device you are about to enroll.
The key factor here is the device’s “activation state.”
If the device is already “activated,” you must reset it to initiate the process.
You can either “Restore” the device or use the Apple Configurator (Mac only) to “Erase All Content and Settings.”

Then follow these steps:

  • Click the gear icon “Prepare” in the Apple Configurator menu bar.

Steps:

  • Select the device in the dialog with the right mouse button → Click “Prepare…”.

  • Choose the following options:

    • “Add to Apple Business Manager/School Manager.”
    • “Allow devices to pair with other computers.”
    • Note: Do not select “Activate and Complete Enrollment.”
  • Select “New Server…” and specify a name and URL:

    • URL for iOS devices: https://live.relution.io/.
    • URL for tvOS devices: https://live.relution.io/api/v1/devices/appleMdm/depenroll.
  • Select the certificate (usually the first one).

  • Choose “New Organization…” and enter your Apple ID and password.

  • Select “Create a New Supervision Identity.”

  • Define setup steps that should NOT be skipped:

    • Select “Location Services” (to ensure the correct time zone).
  • Choose a Wi-Fi configuration profile or enable internet sharing over USB:

    • Create the profile through Apple Configurator 2 → “File” -> “New Profile.”
    • If no profile is selected, Wi-Fi data must be entered manually.
    • Alternatively, share the internet connection via USB from the Mac.

Finally, assign the device to the correct MDM server within Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager.