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Last updated: July 24, 2026

How to add iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices to Apple Business Manager?

Explains how to add iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to Apple Business Manager using Apple Configurator, an alternative to reseller purchases. Requires ABM availability, factory-reset devices, Apple Configurator on iOS 15+, and target devices on iOS 16+ or macOS 12+ (Apple Silicon/T2). Sign in with a Managed Apple ID, choose an MDM server assignment (None, Default, or Specific), pair the device via Wi-Fi/Country pane scan or manual PIN, then sync via Apple Enrollment and erase/restart to assign users.

Description

To enroll devices into Apple Business Manager(ABM/ASM) using Apple Configurator we have to connect the iPhones and iPads devices to a Mac device using a USB cable. Apple Configurator app for iPhone has been introduced to add Macs, iPhones and iPad devices to Apple Business Manager(ABM/ASM) by scanning the required screen in the Setup Assistant. This simplifies enrollment of devices that are not bought through the Apple-certified resellers. To enroll devices through Apple Configurator, follow the steps mentioned below:

Prerequisites for enrolling devices

  • ABM must be available in your country.
  • Devices should be new or factory reset.
  • Apple Configurator app should be installed on an iPhone running iOS 15 or above.
  • iPhone and iPads to be enrolled must be running iOS 16 or later versions.
  • Macbooks to be enrolled must be running macOS 12 or later and must have Apple Silicon or T2 Security Chip.

Steps

    • Sign-in to the Apple Configurator app on the iOS device with the Managed Apple ID of your organization. This Apple ID must have at least the Device Enrollment Manager role.
    • Select Settings and choose the Wi-Fi Configuration. The devices that need to be enrolled will connect to the selected Wi-Fi configuration.

Wi-Fi configuration

    • When assigning an MDM server on the iPhone, you have three options: None, Default, or Specific. For more information, click here.
    • Turn on the newly purchased or factory reset devices and select the language from the Welcome Screen and click Continue. 
    • For iPhones and iPads, stop when you see the Wi-Fi pane in the setup Assistant and for Mac it is the Country or Region pane.
    • Open the Apple Configurator app on the iOS device and point the camera towards the screen of the device that has to be enrolled.
    • An image will appear on the device. Focus the camera of the iPhone to cover the entire image and wait for the pop-up that reads Paired Successfully.

For Mac:

Assigning Configurations to Mac

For iOS/iPadOS:

Assigning Configurations to iPad

    • In case there are issues with pairing, click Pair Manually on the iOS device and enter the code displayed on the device.

 

Pair with pin

    • If "None" is chosen as Server, click here to know more.
    • Perform the sync by navigating to the Enrollment Tab and selecting Apple Enrollment (ABM/ASM). Once the sync is successful, the device will appear on the console.
  • For iOS/iPadOS:
    • Erase iPhone: After restarting, the user must select the "Erase iPhone" option. This action will factory reset and erase the device.
    • Device Setup: After the device restarts, the user can proceed with the device setup as usual.
  • For Mac:
    • Restart or Shutdown: The user must restart or shut down the device.
    • Device Setup: Once the Mac powers back on, the user can proceed with the device setup as usual.
  • Now, assign users to these devices on the MDM server, to start managing the devices.

NOTE:

  • Once the device has been added to the ABM/ASM portal, there is no need to scan it with the Apple Configurator.
  • The devices are added to ABM and can be removed by the user within 30 days of adding to the server. To remove the device from management, navigate to Settings -> General -> Device Management -> Remove Device Management. This can be done if the wrong devices have been added to the portal.
  • To enroll devices running iOS 15.0 or below with ABM through Apple Configurator, follow the steps given here.

Choosing an MDM Server for Your Device

  1. None: If "None" is chosen, no server will be assigned to the device initially. Later, when enrolling the device, you must assign it to a server to complete the enrollment process. Follow these steps to assign a server:
    • Log in to the ABM/ASM.
    • Go to the Devices tab.
    • Search for the device using its serial number.
    • Click on Edit MDM Server.
    • Assign a suitable server to the device.
  2. Default: The device will be assigned to the server mentioned in the default MDM server assignment for the device type.

    To choose a default server, follow these steps on the ABM/ASM portal:

    • Click on your account name located at the bottom left corner.
    • Select Preferences from the menu that appears.
    • Navigate to MDM Server Assignment on the left-hand side menu.
    • Under Default Server Assignment, click Edit to manage the automatic assignment of devices to your preferred MDM server.
MDM Server Assignment

 

  1. Specific: The user will be shown a list of MDM servers, allowing them to assign the device to a particular server.

NOTE:

  • If you haven't integrated ABM with MDM, follow the steps given here.

Frequently asked questions

Which devices can be added to Apple Business Manager using Apple Configurator?

You can add supported iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices by using Apple Configurator, provided the devices meet the OS and hardware requirements listed in this guide.

Do the devices need to be new or reset before adding them?

Yes. The devices should be new or factory reset before you start the Apple Configurator workflow described on this page.

What happens if I select None for the MDM server assignment?

If you select None, the device is not assigned to an MDM server during the initial step. You must later assign the device to a suitable server in ABM or ASM to complete enrollment.