Skip to content

Mac Management | macOS MDM

Secure, Monitor, and Manage macOS Devices with SureMDM

macOS

What is macOS MDM?

Devices running macOS are gaining traction in the enterprise world. Even though it was not initially developed for work purposes, Mac devices are quickly becoming a mainstay in the business world owing to their robust features and functionalities. And organizations are adopting macOS device management tools to monitor and manage such devices effectively. macOS device management software helps IT admins easily monitor, secure, and manage macOS-based devices used within the organization, install apps and content on them over-the-air, and enforce security policies and restrictions on them.

Importance of Mac Device Management

For many organizations, managing employees’ Mac devices and keeping them up-to-date is a huge challenge. Businesses often tend to lack sophisticated Mac device management tools, and when devices break down or users have questions, they are often left to figure things out on their own. This is precisely where Mac MDM tools help organizations monitor and manage their employees' Mac devices efficiently and effectively. Notably, investments in Mac MDM software have become a key component of companies’ IT budgets.

 

macOS MDM for Device Lifecycle Management

MDM for Device Lifecycle Management

MDM for Mac devices can be a very simple process. If you want to manage Mac devices, you must deploy a macOS device management solution in conjunction with Apple Business Manager. Then, you will need to provision the Mac devices by pushing apps, content, and security policies onto them. Now, the devices are ready to be deployed to the end-users. At this point, you can use the Mac device management tool to monitor each device and ensure it stays secure and compliant with your security policies. In the event devices conflict with your security policies, you can take corrective actions using the macOS MDM tool. When devices reach the end of their lifecycle, you can safely take them offline and decommission them using the macOS MDM solution.

Capabilities of macOS Device Management Software

Enrollment: Quickly Get Your macOS Devices Online with SureMDM, a Leading macOS Management Solution

With SureMDM, you can quickly and easily set up, enroll, and manage macOS devices.

  • Easy Enrollment : Enroll Mac devices using the SureMDM agent. 
  • Rapid Set-Up: Bundle many settings into a profile, and send that profile to each device for rapid set-up. 
  • Dashboard Customization: The SureMDM console features an intuitive dashboard. Set up the metrics you want to see and find what you need at a glance using the Device Grid system.
  • Video Tutorials: The SureMDM console includes optional tutorial videos in the Help menu, so you always know what to do.

Management: Keep macOS Devices Up-to-Date, Secure, and Compliant

SureMDM allows you to follow the best security practices and helps you ensure that your macOS-based devices are always up-to-date, secure, and compliant.

  • Minimum Password Standards: Set minimum password complexity requirements for each device in order to ensure that passwords cannot be easily guessed by people who don’t have the right to access devices.
  • Acquire and Distribute Apps and Content: Use Apple’s content deployment programs to purchase and mass-distribute apps and books across all devices that run macOS.
  • App and Content Management: Push apps and content to macOS devices via the central SureMDM Console or create a secure enterprise app store.
  • Web Content Filtering: Using this web content filter, IT admins can now remotely block/allow specific URLs from being accessed. The option to import is provided for bulk uploads, along with Add, Edit, Delete, and Search options for effective URL management.
  • User Management: Improved user management allows admins to create, delete, and modify permissions for an account.
Keep Windows Devices Up-to-Date, Secure, and Compliant

Security: Keep Devices Safer with SureMDM

A macOS MDM solution allows administrators to seamlessly secure and manage Mac devices. Device administrators can monitor and control minute details about managed devices. These minute details may include information about installed apps, ‘blocklisted’ apps, a wide range of security settings, and restrictions imposed on device usage.

  • Control Use of Peripherals: Prevent users and malicious actors from accessing device webcams or other unnecessary functionalities, such as iCloud.
  • FileVault Support: Use FileVault to encrypt data and provide an extra line of defense against data breaches.
  • Lost Device Recovery: See lost devices on a map in the SureMDM Console. From there, lock down or erase device contents to keep corporate data safe.
  • VPN Support: Admins can now configure VPNs using profiles. Please note that only the L2TP protocol is supported.
  • Additional Security Settings: Admins can choose applications from the App Store, identified developer apps, or a combination of both. Admins can enable/disable unlocking MacBooks using Apple Watches.

Remote Control and Remote Troubleshooting

Remotely access any Mac device as if it were directly in front of you.

  • Remote Control: Take control of macOS devices remotely by simulating mouse and keyboard presses as if you were in front of an actual device. A pop-up is also added to get device users’ approval for remote requests. With multi-admin remote control, multiple admins can remotely connect and troubleshoot end-user devices at the same time.
  • Remote Troubleshooting: Repair devices with remote troubleshooting assistance and save money on transit costs.  
  • Monitor CPU and RAM Consumption: Remotely monitor device processes based on their CPU/RAM consumption in order to ensure that no superfluous processes run unchecked.
  • macOS Remote SSH Terminal: Remotely access the terminal of a macOS device from the SureMDM console for troubleshooting problems, deploying software, or managing settings.

Benefits of Using a macOS MDM Solution

By using a macOS MDM solution, device administrators can drastically reduce the time taken to onboard customers and improve the overall experience. When a Mac device is assigned to SureMDM, it automatically gets enrolled in an MDM solution immediately after device activation.
save_time

Save Time and Money
Remote device control enables faster troubleshooting. Improve macOS device uptime and eliminate most “truck roll costs” associated with on-site visits.

boost

Boost Employee Productivity
SureMDM ensures that every device has the apps and content needed to improve employee productivity.

security1

Improve Security
Protect devices with complex passwords and locate devices at any time from the central console. In the event devices are stolen and cannot be retrieved, the FileVault encryption and remote data-wiping features ensure that important data stays safe.

smart

Make Smarter Decisions
Find important trends and optimize the way devices are used using SureMDM’s Analytics Engine and the Device Grid feature in SureMDM’s central dashboard.

FAQs on macOS Solution

What is Mac Device Management (MDM)?

Mac device management refers to the process of managing, securing, and maintaining enrolled Mac devices remotely through a Mac MDM solution. With a macOS MDM solution, IT admins can wirelessly configure profiles and commands on individual devices or groups of devices based on end-user needs. Using a Mac MDM solution, IT admins can manage applications and media files, ensure compliance with IT policies, and wipe or lock devices remotely.

What are the benefits of using macOS MDM?

By using a macOS MDM solution, IT admins can remotely manage Mac devices distributed across geographies, push app and content updates remotely, track device location, monitor device health and status, enforce device usage policies, and secure Mac devices and the data stored on them by using appropriate security measures.

What types of devices can be managed with Mac MDM?

Using a Mac MDM solution, only Mac devices can be managed.

How to set up macOS MDM?

The process of setting up macOS MDM varies from one solution provider to another. However, the first step is to obtain an Apple APNs certificate. The next step is to set up and configure the MDM server and then enroll devices into the MDM server with required configurations and policies, which involves using your credentials to access the solution console and then choosing an ownership type.

What is the process for enrolling a MacBook into an MDM solution?

The process to enroll a MacBook into an MDM solution may vary from one solution provider to another. The first step is to use the credentials (provided by your organization) and select the ownership type (company or personal). The next step is to enroll the devices by installing the MDM profiles on the devices with the required configurations and policies.

What is the minimum version supported by SureMDM for macOS devices?

The minimum macOS version supported by SureMDM is v10.15 and later.

Does SureMDM support macOS remote management?

Yes, SureMDM offers multiple features that allows IT admins to remotely manage macOS devices.

Is it possible to enable kiosk mode on macOS devices using SureMDM?

Yes, SureMDM can help IT admins easily enable kiosk mode on macOS devices.

Can SureMDM help admins push software updates remotely on macOS devices?

Yes, admins can use SureMDM to push software updates on macOS devices.

Does SureMDM support FileVault?

Yes, SureMDM allows IT teams to remotely enable FileVault on Mac devices. Please refer to the article to enable it remotely.

How can I push applications remotely to macOS devices?

You can create an enterprise app store and distribute applications remotely to devices in bulk through macOS profile > Application policy.

Do I need to register APNS to manage macOS devices?

Yes, it is mandatory to register an APNS certificate to manage macOS devices. Please refer to the documentation for more details.

How can I renew my APNS certificate?

Please refer to the steps for more details.

Can I block users from using applications like YouTube, Facebook and other such sites on macOS devices?

Yes, SureMDM offers a feature to blocklist and allowlist applications. You can use this feature to restrict or allow any application that you need.

Looking for a Solution to Manage Your macOS Devices?