As shared devices become the norm across frontline, retail, healthcare, and logistics environments, IT teams are under constant pressure to turn devices around quickly, without compromising security or user experience. Resetting a device should not feel like starting from scratch every single time.
Apple’s Return to Service, introduced with iOS and iPadOS 17, addresses this exact challenge. And we’re bringing this capability into Scalefusion to help organizations reset, prepare, and redeploy Apple devices faster and more reliably.
What is Return to Service?
Return to Service automates the device reset workflow and prepares iOS and iPadOS devices for their next user with minimal manual intervention. Instead of sending a device back to a fully manual setup flow, IT teams can now streamline what happens after a device is erased.
With Return to Service, organizations can:
- Automatically reset and re-enroll iOS and iPadOS devices to Scalefusion, including non-ADE devices. No manual setup required!
- Skip language and region selection during setup
- Bypass Wi-Fi selection by pre-configuring a Wi-Fi profile
- Preserve apps for faster readiness on supported devices (available for ADE devices from OS 26)
The result is a cleaner reset process that gets devices back into circulation faster.
Why this matters for shared-device environments
Shared-device environments are common in industries like retail, healthcare, logistics, frontline operations, and education, where multiple users rely on the same iOS or iPadOS device across shifts or classes.
When a user returns a device at the end of the work cycle or school hours, IT has to ensure that:
- All user data is securely erased
- The device is immediately ready for the next user
- Setup time does not slow down operations
Non-ADE devices further add complexity, often requiring manual re-enrollment after a reset. Delays or errors in this process slow workflows and increase administrative overhead. Traditionally, an erase command means starting from the very beginning of the Setup Assistant, often requiring manual steps that lead to configuration drift.
Return to Service changes that make the reset process both secure and operationally efficient.
Supporting Shared iPads, beyond ADE
Scalefusion already supports shared iPads for devices enrolled via ADE with managed Apple IDs, enabling multiple users to access the same device while keeping data separate. With the Return to Service feature, this capability is now extended to all iOS and iPadOS devices, including non-ADE devices. This makes shared-device management faster, consistent, and simpler across any setup scenario.
Faster resets, consistent readiness
Return to Service aligns with our simple goal at Scalefusion: reducing device (and subsequently, operational) downtime between users while maintaining strong data hygiene and management. iOS and iPadOS devices can be erased, reconfigured, and made ready for the next user with fewer steps, fewer delays, and less operational overhead.
We encourage you to explore Return to Service in your Apple device workflows and see how it simplifies device turnaround in shared environments. As always, your feedback helps shape what we build next.
