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Last updated: July 24, 2026

How to automate ManageEngine MDM Self Service app (previously ManageEngine MDM app) installation on managed iOS devices? 

Explains how to automate silent installation of the ManageEngine MDM Self Service app on managed iOS devices rather than via App Catalog distribution. Requires ABM app distribution enabled and Self Service app licenses in Apple Business Manager. Create a device group, distribute the app using Force Install Enterprise App, then assign the group during enrollment (Assign to Group, Groups for Enrolled Devices, or Admin Enrollment). The app installs silently once devices join the group; requires supervised iOS 9.0+.

Description

MDM requires the ManageEngine MDM Self Service app (previously ManageEngine MDM app) to be installed on managed iOS devices for geo-tracking and securely sharing documents. By default, the Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) is distributed through the App Catalog.

For automating Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) installation, you can distribute the Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) to all iOS devices by clicking on Enrollment, select Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) under iOS and select Distribute Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) to the managed iOS devices.

To install the app silently only on selected devices, you need to follow the work flow explained below.

Steps

  1. Configure ABM app distribution for silent installation of apps as explained here.
  2. Purchase adequate Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) licenses in Apple Business Manager (ABM) Portal. Syncing your ABM account with MDM adds the Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) to the App Repository. If you haven't already upgraded the Apple VPP portal to ABM, you can migrate Apple VPP to ABM by following these steps
  3. Create a Group containing the selected devices, as explained here.
  4. Distribute the Self Service app (previously ME MDM app), present in the App Repository, to the created group as explained here. Ensure you select Force Install Enterprise App for Distribution Option before adding the app to the group.
  5. If you're enrolling the device through:
    • Enrollment By Invitation: Ensure you select the created group for Assign to Group option, before sending the enrollment invite.
    • Self-Enrollment: While configuring Self-Enrollment settings, ensure you add the created group instead of the default group in the Groups for Enrolled Devices. If you want to install the app silently in corporate-owned devices, add the created group instead of default group. Further, while enrolling devices through Self-Enrollment, the device type must be selected as Corporate, for the app to be installed silently.
    • Admin Enrollment: If you're enrolling devices through Apple Configurator or Apple Business Manager (ABM), ensure you specify the created group while assigning users to the devices.
  6. Now, any device added to the group will have the Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) installed silently on the device as soon as it is enrolled.

You can also add the app to the Default Group(s), present in MDM instead of creating a new Group.


NOTE: This is applicable for iOS Supervised devices running 9.0 or later versions.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Self Service app (previously ME MDM app) be installed silently on every iOS device?

No. The silent installation workflow described here applies to supervised iOS devices that meet the stated requirements.

What must be configured before automating app installation?

You must configure ABM app distribution, obtain adequate licenses for the app, and prepare the target group that should receive the installation.

How can I limit silent installation to selected devices only?

Create a group containing only the required devices, distribute the app to that group, and ensure the relevant enrollment workflow assigns devices to that group.