Unboxing a brand-new Apple device is exciting, but for IT teams, it’s just the start of a long setup process. Each device needs Wi-Fi access, business apps, security policies, and management controls before it’s ready for work. Doing this manually for a handful of devices is manageable. Doing it for hundreds or thousands? A nightmare.
Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) eliminates the hassle. Devices ship pre-configured, secured, and ready to use—no IT intervention needed. Employees turn them on, and within minutes, everything is in place: apps installed, security enforced, and company policies applied.
Here’s how Apple ADE works, why it’s essential, and how IT teams can use it to deploy Apple devices effortlessly.
What is Apple’s Automated Device Enrollment (ADE)?
Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) is a zero-touch deployment method that simplifies how organizations set up and manage Apple devices. Instead of manually configuring settings, installing apps and enforcing security, ADE ensures that every device is automatically enrolled into a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution the moment it’s powered on.
With ADE, IT teams can predefine configurations, push security policies and install business apps remotely—all before the device even reaches the user. This means employees receive fully provisioned devices straight out of the box, eliminating setup delays. More importantly, ADE locks UEM enrollment, preventing users from removing management controls and ensuring security compliance at all times.
What makes Apple’s Automated Device Enrollment stand out?
Apple’s automated device enrollment offers several capabilities that make large-scale Apple deployments effortless:
Zero-touch deployment
- Devices are automatically configured when powered on.
- No IT intervention is needed—everything is handled remotely.
Mandatory UEM enrollment
- Devices must enroll in a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution before use.
- Users cannot remove UEM profiles, ensuring security and compliance.
Custom configurations
- IT teams can predefine Wi-Fi, VPN, email, security policies and app installations.
- Reduces setup time and prevents user errors.
Supervision mode
- Unlocks advanced management controls, including:
- Blocking USB file transfers
- Restricting app installations
- Enforcing content filtering
- Enabling remote wipe or device lockdown
User authentication
- Supports Identity Provider (IdP) integrations for secure authentication.
- Ensures only authorized users can access the device.
Over-the-air provisioning
- Devices automatically fetch apps, settings and security policies over the internet.
- IT teams never need physical access to configure devices.
With ADE and UEM integration, businesses can deploy, secure and manage Apple devices at scale, all without manual effort.
Look at how ADE automates Apple device setup
Apple ADE follows a fully automated, four-step process to ensure seamless Apple device deployment with UEM integration:
Step 1: Device purchase & registration
- Organizations purchase Apple devices from Apple or authorized resellers.
- These devices are automatically registered in Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) under the organization’s account.
Step 2: Assignment to UEM
- IT teams log into ABM/ASM and assign devices to a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution.
- Devices are linked to specific configuration profiles, ensuring predefined settings and policies are enforced.
Step 3: Device boot-up & automatic setup
- Users unbox and power on their devices.
- Devices connect to Apple’s activation servers to verify enrollment.
- The assigned UEM configurations, apps and security policies are automatically applied.
Step 4: Device ready for use
- The device is fully configured, secured and ready for work.
- IT teams can remotely monitor, manage and enforce policies throughout the device lifecycle.
By integrating ADE with UEM, IT admins gain end-to-end control, ensuring that Apple devices are securely deployed, always managed and never left unprotected.
Benefits of Apple’s Automated Device Enrollment
ADE removes friction from device management, making large-scale Apple deployments faster, more secure, and fully automated with UEM integration.
Saves time & IT effort
Manual setups are time-consuming and error-prone. With ADE, devices self-configure upon startup, eliminating the need for IT intervention. Whether deploying hundreds or thousands of devices, IT teams can manage everything remotely through a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution.
Ensures security & compliance
ADE enforces mandatory UEM enrollment, ensuring that security policies cannot be bypassed. IT teams can automatically apply remote lock, data encryption, restricted app installations, and other security measures, keeping devices compliant and protected from unauthorized access.
Enables scalable deployments
From small businesses to global enterprises and educational institutions, Apple ADE supports remote provisioning at any scale. IT admins can deploy and manage Apple devices across multiple locations without needing physical access, making it ideal for distributed workforces and hybrid learning environments.
Improves end-user experience
Employees and students receive fully configured devices that are ready to use right out of the box. There’s no need for manual setup, reducing frustration and cutting down IT support requests caused by configuration errors.
Simplifies device lifecycle management
With UEM integration, IT teams can track, update and wipe devices remotely. This ensures that devices stay compliant, secured and properly managed throughout their entire lifecycle, from deployment to decommissioning.
ADE vs. manual enrollment – What’s the difference?
| Factor | Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) | Manual Enrollment |
| Setup Process | Fully automated; devices auto-enroll in UEM when powered on. | Requires IT/admins to manually enroll each device. |
| IT intervention | Zero-touch deployment; no physical handling needed. | IT must configure each device manually, increasing the workload. |
| UEM/MDM enrollment | Mandatory and enforced; users cannot remove UEM profiles. | Users can skip or remove MDM enrollment, leading to security risks. |
| Security & compliance | Enforces device restrictions, encryption and remote management. | Requires manual policy application; compliance depends on users completing setup. |
| App & policy deployment | Automatically pushes apps, settings and security policies via UEM. | IT must manually install apps and apply policies. |
| Scalability | Ideal for large-scale deployments. | Best for small-scale or one-time enrollments. |
| Supervision mode | Enables advanced management controls (USB restrictions, app blocking, etc.). | Requires additional steps to enable Supervision. |
| User experience | Devices arrive pre-configured; users can start working immediately. | Users must complete the setup manually, which can cause delays. |
| Device lifecycle management | IT can track, update, and wipe devices remotely via UEM. | Limited remote management; IT must manually intervene. |
Still wondering why ADE is the better choice?
ADE ensures that every Apple device is fully managed, secured and ready to use from the moment it’s unboxed. Unlike manual enrollment, ADE guarantees that UEM enrollment cannot be bypassed, keeping IT in control and eliminating security gaps.
How to pick the best UEM for Apple’s Automated Device Enrollment
A well-integrated UEM solution ensures ADE functions at its full potential. Here’s what to look for:
- Seamless integration with ABM/ASM – The UEM should natively support ADE and sync effortlessly with Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) to enable automated enrollment without additional steps.
- Comprehensive policy enforcement – Look for a solution that offers granular control over security policies, device restrictions, and compliance settings to ensure every enrolled device meets organizational standards.
- App and content management – A strong UEM should enable automated app deployment, license management and content distribution without requiring manual installations.
- Scalability – Whether managing a handful of devices or an enterprise fleet, the UEM should handle bulk deployments, real-time monitoring and remote troubleshooting with ease.
Leverage Scalefusion UEM for effortless Apple device management
ADE takes the hard work out of Apple device deployment, but it works best when paired with the right UEM solution. Scalefusion UEM offers seamless integration with ABM/ASM, airtight security policies and effortless device management from day one.
With OneIdP, IT teams can simplify authentication, enforce access controls, and enhance security with SSO and MFA. For advanced protection, Veltar serves as a comprehensive endpoint security solution, offering secure remote access, web content filtering, application control and mobile threat defense.
Ready to achieve automated, secure and scalable Apple device management with Scalefusion UEM and no complexities?
See Scalefusion in action. Schedule a demo to explore its features and start your 14-day free trial today!
FAQs
1. Does ADE work for BYOD?
No, ADE is designed for corporate-owned devices purchased from Apple or authorized resellers. For BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), Apple offers User Enrollment, which provides a separate work profile while keeping personal data private.
2. Is ADE free?
Yes, ADE is a free service provided by Apple for organizations using Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM). However, to fully utilize ADE a UEM solution is required, which may have associated costs depending on the provider and features required for device management.
3. Is ADE the same as the Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP)?
No, ADE replaced Apple’s Device Enrollment Program (DEP) and is now part of ABM and ASM. It offers improved automation, stricter security and better integration with UEM solutions, making it a more efficient and streamlined method for managing corporate-owned Apple devices.
4. What is the difference between ABM and ADE?
Apple Business Manager (ABM) is a web-based portal for IT teams to manage Apple devices, apps and users. Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) is a feature within ABM that enables zero-touch enrollment of devices into MDM, ensuring they are automatically configured and secured before use.
5. How to renew an ADE token?
To renew an ADE token, log in to Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) and go to Settings > MDM Servers. Download the new server token and upload it to your MDM solution. This ensures continued enrollment and prevents disruptions in device management.
