About Supervised Devices
A supervised device is a device to which Supervised mode is applied. The following explains the features that become available when you apply Supervised mode.
Apple's Supervised mode is a management mode used by companies and educational institutions to strictly manage and restrict the Apple devices they own.
It works together with an MDM, allows administrators to manage and monitor devices remotely, and enables extensive and detailed management of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. When you register a device in Apple Business (formerly Apple Business Manager), Supervised mode is applied automatically, so administrators do not need to set it manually.
A key characteristic is the full administrative authority that administrators have.
Because administrators have full administrative authority over devices in Supervised mode, they can force app installation and setting changes remotely.
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Silent app installation is possible (when using VPP)
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App installation and app usage can be restricted
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Settings such as web filtering can be enforced
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If a device is lost or stolen, the MDM can apply an administrator lock that cannot be released on the device and can check the device's location
Use in companies
- Management of business devices
- Automatically install and update apps used for work
- Restrict the use of apps that are not for work
- Data protection
- Enforce security settings that protect data and prevent unauthorized use
Use in educational institutions
- Management of student devices
- Restrict the use of specific apps and access to websites
- Preparing the learning environment
- Automatically install the apps used for learning
- Keep devices updated to maintain the necessary environment
Strengthening security
- Administrator lock and location check
- If a device is lost or stolen, the MDM can apply a lock that cannot be released on the device, and you can check its location to try to recover it
Customization for specific purposes
- Specific settings and business apps can be applied automatically and pinned (kiosk), which simplifies the initial setup of devices. Restricting operations during business use also lets users focus on a specific purpose
There are two ways to set a device as supervised.
A. Use Apple Business (standard)
- The device automatically becomes supervised.
- See Register devices in Apple Business (convert to ADE devices). The remaining steps on this page are not required.
B. Use Apple Configurator to set the device as supervised
- If you cannot use Apple Business, you can set a device as supervised by using a Mac with the Apple Configurator app installed.