iOS Device Enrollment Methods for Business: A Complete Guide in 2025

iOS Device Enrollment for Business in 2025

Apple devices like iPhones and iPads have become essential tools in modern business operations. From security to productivity, iOS devices are a top choice for organizations across industries like IT, healthcare, finance, education, retail, and government. But with great tech comes a greater need for management.

However, managing Apple devices at scale comes with its own set of challenges. IT teams often struggle with enrolling multiple devices manually, enforcing consistent security policies, and ensuring devices remain compliant with company regulations.

There's also the challenge of remotely managing apps, pushing updates, and restricting unauthorized access—especially when devices are used in BYOD or hybrid environments. Without an iOS Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, keeping control of a growing Apple device fleet can quickly become overwhelming.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top Apple device enrollment methods for 2025 and help you choose the right MDM solution for your business.

Top iOS Device Enrollment in 2025

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE using Apple Business Manager)

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) is Apple’s most efficient and scalable method for enrolling corporate-owned iOS devices. It’s designed for large enterprises that purchase devices in bulk through Apple-authorized resellers or directly from Apple.

After purchase, devices can be imported into Apple Business Manager (ABM) using your Apple Customer ID or Reseller ID—note that devices cannot be purchased directly from ABM. Once added, the devices can be automatically enrolled into your MDM solution the moment they’re powered on for the first time. This zero-touch deployment model eliminates the need for manual setup or IT intervention, making device rollout fast, secure, and hassle-free.

Key Highlights:

• Effortless Setup: ADE simplifies onboarding by automatically enrolling devices during the initial setup using Apple’s Setup Assistant. IT teams no longer need to manually configure every device.
• Supervised Mode Activation: Supervised mode unlocks advanced management capabilities—like app restrictions, kiosk mode, and network configurations—that standard mode doesn’t allow.

Use Case:

Perfect for fully managed, company-owned iOS devices that need strict control and enhanced security features right from unboxing. These are also called supervised iOS devices.

Apple Configurator Enrollment

Apple Configurator Enrollment is particularly suited for devices that were not purchased through Apple or authorized resellers. It allows IT teams to manually connect iPhones and iPads to a second iPhone or a macbook that has the Apple Configurator app installed and is signed in with the ABM admin account. While this process requires hands-on access to each device, it still provides a high level of control, security, and flexibility—making it a solid option for BYOD or legacy devices.

Key Highlights:

• Supervision without ABM: Organizations can use Apple Configurator to supervise devices, apply configuration profiles, and restrict functionality just like they would with ADE-enrolled devices. This method is particularly beneficial for small businesses, educational institutions, or organizations running pilot deployments.
• On-Premises Control: Offers IT teams full control of device setup and supervision locally without requiring access to Apple Business Manager.

Use Case:

Ideal for small-to-medium-sized businesses, education institutions, or IT teams dealing with legacy devices that still require advanced control without automated enrollment.

BYOD Enrollment

With the rise of hybrid and remote work environments, many businesses now support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, allowing employees to use their iPhones and iPads for work purposes. In this scenario, enrolling these devices into MDM must be handled with extra care to protect both company data and user privacy.

Key Highlights:

• Virtual Containerization (Managed and Unmanaged Apps): Virtual containerization in BYOD separates work and personal data on iOS devices using managed and unmanaged apps. IT controls corporate apps while leaving personal apps untouched, ensuring data security and user privacy. This approach enables secure access to work resources without compromising employee freedom or violating compliance policies.
• Selective Wipe: IT administrators can remove only the work-related data (profiles and apps) from the iOS device without affecting the user’s personal content. This approach eliminates the need for a full device wipe, reduces friction in the onboarding process, and fosters a more flexible and employee-friendly work culture

Use Case:

Best for remote or hybrid workforces where employees prefer to use their own iOS devices but still require secure access to enterprise applications, files, and email.

(A) Profile-based Enrollment

Profile-based Enrollment allows users to register their iPhones or iPads in an MDM environment directly from a secure link or QR code—no apps or desktop tools required. An enrollment profile is downloaded from your MDM provider server, which can be installed on the device by the user and it is good to go.

This lightweight method is particularly useful in scenarios where organizations want to offer remote enrollment options or a simplified user experience. It is also compatible with federated identity systems like Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), enabling Single Sign-On during the enrollment process.

Key Highlights:

• No App or Configurator needed: Enrollment is triggered via a secure web link that launches the device registration process directly through a web browser.
• Fast and Remote-Friendly: It supports rapid onboarding for remote workers or contractors using their own devices.

Use Case:

Perfect for organizations managing remote teams or offering device access to contractors, vendors, or part-time employees who need temporary but secure access to business resources.

(B) Account-driven Enrollment

Account-driven Enrollment is Apple’s modern solution for enrolling personally owned iOS devices into MDM using a Managed Apple ID. This approach simplifies the enrollment process for users and offers organizations a secure, privacy-focused way to manage corporate resources on BYOD devices.

Employees can easily enroll by navigating to Settings> General > VPN & Device Management > Sign in to Work or School Account on their iPhone or iPad and signing in with their work or school credentials. Once enrolled, IT admins can manage only the necessary apps and data without touching the user’s personal content.

However, some enterprise apps may require purchasing a license through ABM, though many common apps are license-free. This method offers lightweight MDM capabilities while protecting user privacy and maintaining a clear virtual separation between work and personal environments.

Key Highlights:

• Integrated with Managed Apple ID: Users can enroll seamlessly using Apple’s native sign-in flow with a Managed Apple ID—no additional MDM apps needed. However, admins must pre-register the user’s email as a Managed Apple ID in Apple Business Manager (ABM) for this to work.
• Single Sign-On Support: Seamlessly integrates with authentication providers like Microsoft Entra ID, allowing users to authenticate once and gain access to corporate apps securely.

Use Case:

Best suited for organizations with flexible BYOD policies that want to offer users an easy, secure, and privacy-preserving way to connect to corporate and school systems using their own iPhones or iPads.

Which iOS Device Enrollment Option to Choose?

Choosing the right enrollment method depends on your organization’s structure and goals:

Which is the Best iOS MDM Solution?

miniOrange offers the best Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution that supports iOS device enrollment, helping businesses secure, configure, and control Apple devices with ease—no matter the deployment scale or ownership model.

Whether your organization adopts a corporate-owned model or supports a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy, miniOrange provides flexible enrollment methods tailored to your specific operational needs.

With support for all major Apple enrollment options, miniOrange MDM ensures that every type of iOS device is seamlessly onboarded and effectively managed. Most importantly, miniOrange supports containerization to enhance corporate data security without any compromises on employee privacy.

Learn how to enroll iOS devices in miniOrange MDM and take the first step toward simplified Apple device enrollment.

Final Thoughts

Getting your iOS devices enrolled is the first step to building a safe, organized, and efficient Apple environment for your business. Whether you're setting up company-owned iPhones or letting employees use their own devices, there's a right enrollment method for every situation.

With miniOrange MDM, you don’t have to worry about the setup process. It helps you easily enroll, manage, and secure all your iOS devices—without the hassle. From small teams to large organizations, miniOrange makes device management simple, secure, and stress-free.

Want to see how it works? Reach out to us at uemsupport@xecurify.com to try out the miniOrange MDM solution or book a free demo today.

Additional Resources

• Top 10 Benefits of Mobile Device Management (MDM) for Businesses
• What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)? | Securing Mobiles for Office Work
• How to enroll Android devices into miniOrange MDM
• Device Security With Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Solutions