Apple DEP-2025 - Apple Deployment and Management Certification Exam

Supervision is required for Managed Lost Mode. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "Managed Lost Mode is an MDM feature available only on supervised devices, allowing administrators to lock and locate lost devices."

Apple Configurator, a macOS application, allows administrators to supervise Apple devices (iOS, iPadOS, tvOS) by connecting them via USB. Supervision enables additional restrictions and management capabilities (e.g., blocking app removal) beyond standard MDM. Apple Business Manager (option A) and Apple School Manager (option C) manage enrollment and content but don’t supervise devices directly. Managed Apple IDs (option D) are accounts, not supervision tools. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidehighlights Apple Configurator’s role in supervision.

When organizations configureSetup Assistant skip options, they are designed to streamline the enrollment process while maintaining flexibility for the end user. Skipping theLocation Services paneprevents the user from being asked to make a decision during setup. By default, Location Services isturned offwhen skipped. However, Apple Learning documentation clearly states that users can later navigate toSettings > Privacy & Security > Location Servicesand manually enable it. This ensures organizations can deploy devices quickly without requiring immediate user interaction, while also respecting user choice and privacy. It’s important to note that this is different from MDM-enforced restrictions, which can lock the setting entirely. In this case, the skip payload does not prevent future configuration; it simply suppresses the prompt during setup.

Apple Configurator, a macOS application, supports configuring and supervising iPads, iPhones, and other iOS/iPadOS devices, as well as Apple TVs (tvOS). It runs on a Mac, which acts as the host, but the question refers to devices it can manage, not the host platform. Options A and B are correct, and while C (Mac) isn’t typically configured by Apple Configurator, the tool’s broad compatibility with Apple devices makes D the best answer. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideconfirms its use across these device types.

Only managed data is backed up with a Managed Apple ID. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "Under User Enrollment, an iCloud backup using a Managed Apple ID includes only data from managed apps, keeping personal data separate."

For an MDM solution to operate effectively, it relies on certificates, particularly for secure communication with Apple Push Notification service (APNs) and for establishing encrypted connections via SSL/TLS. An APNs certificate is required to authenticate the MDM server with Apple’s APNs infrastructure, enabling it to send push notifications to managed devices. Additionally, an SSL certificate secures the communication channel between the MDM server and the devices, ensuring data privacy and integrity. Restrictions (option B) are policies enforced by MDM but are not prerequisites for its operation. Enrollment profiles (option C) are necessary to link devices to MDM, as discussed in Question 1, but they do not specifically address the APNs and SSL requirements. Apple’s documentation, such as theMDM Protocol Reference, explicitly states that certificates are essential for APNs and SSL functionality in MDM deployments.

Managed Lost Modeallows MDM administrators to remotely lock a supervised iPhone or iPad. Once activated, the device is fully locked and cannot be used until Lost Mode is disabled by the MDM. Apple Learning specifies that while in Lost Mode, the device displays a custom message and phone number, enabling it to be returned if lost. Importantly, Managed Lost Mode overrides user settings and does not require the user to have enabled Find My. Unlike Activation Lock, which prevents unauthorized reactivation after an erase, Managed Lost Mode is immediate and active without wiping the device. Return to Service is a redeployment tool, and Device Attestation verifies device integrity but does not lock devices. Therefore, the feature that directly locks a supervised iPhone is Managed Lost Mode.

Activation Lock requires an Apple ID (personal or Managed) to be enabled, typically activated when Find My is turned on. It prevents reactivation after a wipe without the associated credentials. An MDM solution (option A) can manage or bypass Activation Lock but isn’t required to use it. Supervision (option C) enhances management but isn’t necessary for Activation Lock. A passcode (option D) adds security but isn’t a prerequisite. TheApple Platform Security Guidespecifies an Apple ID as the core requirement.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage security settings on a device, such as enforcing encryption, restricting untrusted certificates, or enabling firewalls (on macOS). These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, ensuring compliance with security policies. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are user-focused features unrelated to security management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles define the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails security configuration via profiles.

A key feature to consider in an MDM solution is its ability to integrate with an organization’s existing identity provider (IdP) or directory service (e.g., Active Directory, Azure AD, or Google Workspace). This ensures seamless user authentication, leveraging single sign-on (SSO) and existing credentials, which enhances security and user experience. Support for future OS versions (option B) is important for compatibility but not specifically an authentication feature. Support for BYOD (option C) is a deployment consideration, not an authentication feature. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidehighlights IdP integration as critical for authentication in MDM deployments.