Apple DEP-2025 - Apple Deployment and Management Certification Exam

AppleConfigurator for Macis a utility designed to supervise, restore, and configure iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS devices. Apple Learning highlights a newer feature: the ability touse Shortcuts automations with Configurator. This means administrators can script repeatable tasks — for example, restoring a device, applying enrollment settings, and erasing it — without manually repeating steps. Over-the-air profile updates are handled by MDM, not Configurator. Purchasing apps and books is managed through Apple Business Manager, not Configurator. Managed Lost Mode is an MDM feature, not part of Configurator. Shortcuts integration makes Configurator more powerful in high-volume environments, letting IT staff automate otherwise time-intensive preparation workflows, especially in education or labs. This reinforces Apple’s commitment to automation and efficiency in deployment.

Apple Configurator is a macOS application requiring a Mac computer to run, used for supervising and configuring iOS/iPadOS/tvOS devices via USB. An MDM solution (option A) can complement it but isn’t required. User acceptance (option C) isn’t needed, as it’s an administrative tool. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. The Apple Platform Deployment Guide specifies a Mac as the platform for Apple Configurator.

Supervision, applied via Apple Configurator or ADE, enables additional restrictions on devices, such as blocking app removal, enforcing single-app mode, or managing Activation Lock, providing greater control for organizations. Personalization (option A) is more limited under supervision. Network performance (option C) is unrelated, and data separation (option D) is a User Enrollment feature. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidehighlights supervision’s enhanced management capabilities.

Platform SSO syncs credentials with an IdP. ThemacOS Security Overviewstates, "Platform SSO allows users to synchronize their local Mac account password with an identity provider, providing a seamless login experience." Option B is a separate feature, C is managed via ABM, and D is unrelated to Platform SSO.

The public key generates the server token. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "To generate a server token for ADE, download the public key from your MDM solution and upload it to Apple Business Manager." Option C is never shared, and B and D serve different purposes.

ADE enforces OS requirements. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidestates, "When a device attempts ADE and doesn’t meet the minimum OS version specified in the MDM profile, it will download and install the required update during Setup Assistant, then resume the enrollment process automatically." Options B, C, and D don’t align with this process.

Managed Apple IDs, created via Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), enable organizational control by allowing administrators to manage accounts, restrict features (e.g., iCloud backups), and integrate with MDM for policy enforcement. This contrasts with personal Apple IDs, which prioritize user autonomy. Personalization (option A) is limited with Managed Apple IDs. Network performance (option C) is unrelated, and simplified enrollment (option D) pertains to ADE, not IDs. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideemphasizes control as the key benefit.

Managed Distribution in Apple Business Manager (ABM) and Apple School Manager (ASM) enables administrators to assign apps (purchased or free) to users or devices via an MDM solution. It replaced the legacy Volume Purchase Program (VPP, option D), integrating app purchasing and distribution into ABM/ASM. Automated Device Enrollment (option A) is for device enrollment, not app assignment. User Enrollment (option C) is a BYOD enrollment type, not an app distribution feature. TheApple Business Manager User Guidedetails Managed Distribution as the mechanism for app assignment.

To establish a secure trust relationship betweenApple Business Manager (ABM)and anMDM solution, Apple requires the use ofserver tokens. The process begins in the MDM console, where an administrator downloads apublic keygenerated by the MDM. This public key is then uploaded into ABM or ASM. Apple signs the key and provides aserver token, which is then downloaded from ABM and uploaded back into the MDM solution. The server token authorizes the MDM to sync and manage purchased apps, books, and device assignments. Apple Learning stresses that the public key is the only element required from the MDM during this process. Private keys remain within the MDM, and content tokens are unrelated to this operation. This ensures both security and proper license synchronization.

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) is ideal for distributing devices to multiple users across multiple regions because it allows enrollment in an MDM solution without physically handling the devices. Devices are pre-registered in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, and upon setup, they automatically enroll in MDM, streamlining deployment at scale. Device Enrollment (option A) requires manual profile installation, impractical for large, dispersed deployments. User Enrollment (option B) is suited for BYOD, not organization-owned devices distributed widely. TheApple Platform Deployment Guiderecommends ADE for such scenarios.