Device Manager on Mac: A complete guide

With over 2 billion Apple devices in use worldwide, managing these devices effectively is crucial for both individuals and businesses.^[1] Apple’s design and powerful performance have made Macs a top choice for personal and professional use. But managing them, especially in business environments, requires a different approach.

For individuals, Mac management ensures optimal device performance and protection from potential threats. For businesses, it’s about more than just keeping devices in good shape. Proper management helps improve productivity, maintain security standards, and reduce downtime.

Whether you’re managing a handful of devices or thousands, the key goals remain the same: performance, security, and visibility. Businesses need to ensure that their Apple devices are secure, up to date, and compliant with company policies. 

But how?

Does macOS have a Device Manager?

Unlike Windows, macOS doesn’t feature a centralized “Device Manager” for managing hardware. On a Windows machine, Device Manager allows users to easily view and manage all installed hardware components. But macOS has a different approach.

Instead of one tool for managing all hardware devices, macOS provides a variety of built-in utilities. These tools handle different aspects of device oversight, but don’t combine them into a single, accessible location like Windows.

Additionally, Apple’s crossover with iPhone/macOS device management adds another layer of complexity. For instance, Apple’s Device Enrollment Program (DEP) links iPhones and Macs for device setup. But this doesn’t solve the broader device management challenge for businesses using Macs.

Breaking Mac Device Manager myth: Built-in tools for device oversight

Even without a Windows-style Device Manager for macOS, the device itself provides several tools to help manage and oversee devices. These tools are useful for personal users, but they come with limitations, especially in enterprise environments.

• System information: This tool gives you detailed information about your Mac’s hardware, network configuration, and connected USB devices. It’s useful for troubleshooting and getting an overview of your device’s capabilities but doesn’t provide the ability to make changes remotely or in bulk.
• Activity monitor: If your Mac is running slowly, Activity Monitor is your go-to tool. It allows you to monitor system resources, identify resource hogs, and troubleshoot performance issues. While great for individual devices, it lacks the broader functionality needed to manage a large fleet of devices.
• System preferences: This is macOS’s central hub for managing settings. Here, users can adjust system preferences, security settings, and more. But, as with the other tools, it’s designed for individual device management and lacks the scalability required for businesses with many devices.
• Terminal: For advanced users, Terminal offers command-line access to your Mac. It allows for deeper customization and device management, but it’s not ideal for large teams or less technical users.

While these tools cover basic management needs, they don’t offer the centralized management required for businesses or organizations with multiple Macs in use. 

Challenges with native macOS management

1. Lack of centralized management: There’s no single dashboard for overseeing all devices in a business environment. For IT teams managing Macs, this can lead to inefficiency and errors.

2. Scaling issues: As businesses grow, so does the complexity of managing multiple Macs. Native tools are ill-suited for scaling, especially when you need to configure, update, or troubleshoot devices across an organization.

3. Security and compliance gaps: Built-in macOS tools don’t offer the depth of security or compliance management needed for businesses. Things like remote data wipe, enforcing strong encryption, and managing device health are either limited or not possible with native macOS tools.

Enter MDM: The scalable solution

Device Management (MDM) for Mac is the scalable solution businesses need to overcome the limitations of native macOS tools. With MDM, you can manage Mac devices remotely, push updates, enforce security policies, and much more.

Here are the key features MDM solutions offer:

• Remote configuration: Set up Wi-Fi, VPN, email, and system settings without touching the device. Ideal for distributed teams or large device rollouts.
• Security policies: Enforce encryption, firewall settings, password complexity, and screen lock rules. Also supports remote lock and wipe in case of loss or theft.
• App management: Remotely install, update, or uninstall applications. You can also block certain apps or whitelist only approved ones for compliance.
• Automated provisioning: Automatically enroll devices into MDM as soon as they’re activated, using Apple Business Manager and Apple Automated Device Enrollment.
• OS and patch updates: Schedule or force macOS updates to keep all devices running the latest version—critical for closing security loopholes.
• Compliance monitoring: Get real-time visibility into whether devices meet your security policies. Non-compliant devices can be auto-quarantined or restricted.
• Inventory tracking: Monitor hardware, software, battery health, and storage usage across all Macs.
• Policy-based access control: Grant or restrict access to corporate resources based on device posture, location, or network.
• Remote support tools: Some MDMs include screen sharing or remote control features to assist users without needing to be on-site.
• Geofencing and location tracking: Track devices geographically and apply rules based on location, like restricting features outside corporate premises.
• User-based or role-based management: Assign policies by user roles or departments, making large-scale management more efficient.

How to choose the right MDM for your Mac devices 

• Usability: A user-friendly interface is essential for your IT team. The easier the platform is to navigate, the more efficient your team will be at managing devices.
• Security: Look for an MDM that offers strong security features, such as remote wipe, device encryption, and secure app management. This ensures that your Macs remain protected, even if a device is compromised.
• Scalability: As your business grows, your MDM solution should be able to grow with you. Ensure that the platform can handle the needs of a larger number of Macs.
• Support: Reliable customer support is vital. Ensure that the MDM provider offers training, technical support, and resources to help you get the most out of the platform.

Note: For businesses managing a mix of BYOD and company-owned devices, MDM becomes even more important. 

Build your Mac management game plan with Scalefusion UEM

Proactive management ensures that devices remain secure, up to date, and compliant with company policies. For businesses, the key is to move beyond native macOS tools and implement a solution that provides the flexibility and scalability needed.

Scalefusion macOS MDM solution offers a comprehensive solution for managing Mac devices, with features that help businesses stay ahead of potential issues. If you’re managing a few devices or an entire fleet, Scalefusion helps you streamline device management and improve security.

Reference:

1. MacRumors