I remember researching the topic a while back. SimpleMDM seems to do it, but it requires paying Apple $300 a year. Luckily, Mosyle allows up to 30 devices for free.
this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2024
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What's a MDM?
Mobile Device Manager, used for protecting/locking down devices.
I'd say locking it down is a feature of being managed, not necessarily what it does.
When managing devices, you can enable users to have as much control as you'd like.
It's more about being able to manage devices from a single place, similar to what business does with workstations and servers (e.g. MS SCOM.
Plenty of users still have admin rights even with SCOM being used. It still really helps from a support perspective.
Miridore is self hosted and free
Not a self-hosted option, but Mosyle allows up to 30 devices free.
Configurator if you have a MacOS device already and want the OG. Plus it does allow for device supervision. Although you may have to register as an enterprise system for that. That’s really going to be the key thing here as last time I recall signing my org up for MDM we had to provide tax documents.
Apple uses JAMF, and their prices are so low and it’s so easy that for strictly Apple devices I’d go that route. I do believe there is an on prem version of Jamf as well, but you still pay yearly for it.
There’s also Hexcloud, whatever VMware is calling there’s now, and technically sccm can do device MDM.
Main benefits come from supervised mode. On iPads you can enable multi user support with sign in. You can remove access to messaging or other apps, but beyond that the differences between MDM and parental locks aren’t as wide.
Ah, I didn’t realise it might be difficult on the apple side registering as a company etc. Maybe it’s not worth the effort, but I’m gonna look into the options you mentioned
Supervised mode gives you basically all the cool options post IOS 12. That said, it’s been about 4 years since I’ve done any of that registration stuff and I know it changed a lot during the pandemic. So it could be easier now.
You can use Apple Configurator if you just want basic device supervision. IIRC it should be free. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/apple-configurator-mac/welcome/mac
What about the family sharing and all that jazz? Add kiddos account under yours and you can set age/time limits and stuff like that.
That’s what I am using at the moment but wondered what extra MDM would allow. Plus it’s an opportunity to learn and mess around with it :)
What's an MDM?
@Vendetta9076 @InformalTrifle A system to centralise the management of mobile devices like iPhones and iPads remotely. Usually used by companies to provision devices automatically and dictate apps can be installed and have email/calenders etc. configured automatically.
See also https://it-training.apple.com/tutorials/deployment/dm005
My dank memes
From context, I assume Mobile Device Management, though I've never heard it it being used other than by an employer.