To manage app deployment on iOS devices via Primo and FleetDM, ensure Zero-Touch Deployment is activated, establish the VPP link, and follow the outlined steps for installation, updating, and migrating devices to ensure a seamless transition and efficient app management.
Prerequisites for app deployment
Prerequisites for managing app deployment on your iOS phones:
- Activate Zero-Touch Deployment in Factorial IT: if not already done, you can connect your ABM in your MDM Settings.
- Establish the VPP (Volume Purchase Program) link between your ABM and Factorial IT (FleetDM):
- in ABM:
- Access the Sites section and create a new site (if necessary)
- Generate a VPP token from this site
- in FleetDM (Factorial IT):
- Go to the Software > Add > App Store (VPP) tab
- Select the "No Team" Team
- Import the VPP token
- in ABM:
In case of migration, you will need to terminate the VPP link with your previous MDM. Once the VPP link is active in FleetDM and the apps are ready to be deployed, ask the previous MDM to remove its VPP link. This may result in the automatic removal of apps installed via this link. You can then redeploy the applications automatically via FleetDM (tutorial below).
Install an iOS application
In ABM:
- Add the application to your ABM (Apps and Books tab)
- Add a sufficient number of licenses
In FleetDM:
- Go to the Software > Add > App Store (VPP) tab.
- For each desired application:
- Select the application from the list.
- In Deployment Options, refine your audience and deployment mode:
- The deployment mode ("Install Automatically" or "Available for Install")
- The target (Target), e.g.: "All iOS devices" or a specific group.
- Click on Add Software.
- Repeat the operation for each app to deploy.
Once this operation is complete, the applications will be automatically installed on phones under Factorial IT management.
Update an iOS application
When an app was installed before enrolling the device you can manage its update in FleetDM:
- Go to Host > Software > Library
- On the application you want to update, just click install
The application will get the update without losing data.
To have automatic updates, you have to update your detection policy (i.e. SELECT 1 FROM apps WHERE ….) and add a WHERE clause like “and bundle_version >= ‘lastest’”
In case of migration: Finalizing the switch to Factorial IT
Reassign iPhones in Apple Business Manager
- Go to ABM > Devices.
- Reassign the iPhones from the previous MDM server to the "Factorial IT" server.
- The devices will be automatically managed by Factorial IT, which will redeploy the configured applications.
Recommendations
- Migrate in batches of 10-15 phones to limit the impact.
- Always prepare the applications in Factorial IT before cutting the VPP link of the previous MDM.
- Do not share the same VPP token between two MDMs.