Device Management

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Allow administrators to securely and remotely configure enrolled devices using Device Management.

Device Management Documentation

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App whitelist profile working on supervised iPhone, but not on paired Watch
Hello, I’ve run into an issue with a configuration profile on my supervised iPhone. I’m wondering if anyone here might be able to help? The profile contains the allowListedAppBundleIDs key within the restrictions payload. My Apple Watch is paired with the iPhone. The iPhone was supervised manually with Apple Configurator, hence the Apple Watch has not been directly supervised itself. The profile works completely as expected when installed on the phone. As soon as the profile is installed on the iPhone, I can witness the apps on the Apple Watch rearrange themselves as some apps are hidden. So clearly the profile is applying its restrictions to the Apple Watch to some degree. My issue however is that apps listed in the whitelist are hidden from the Watch. The apps that are missing from my Watch are Walkie Talkie, Find My Items, Find My Friends, Messages, Alarm, Remote, Now Playing, Sleep, Meditation and Heart Rate. This is despite the following bundle IDs being listed in the whitelist array: com.apple.findmy.findpeople, com.apple.findmy.finddevices, com.apple.HeartRate, com.apple.SessionTrackerApp, com.apple.NanoWorldClock, com.apple.findmy.finditems, com.apple.Mind, com.apple.NanoOxygenSaturation, com.apple.watchmemojieditor com.apple.NanoSleep com.apple.NanoNowPlaying com.apple.noise com.apple.tincan com.apple.NanoRemote com.apple.NanoAlarm com.apple.private.NanoTimer com.apple.NanoStopwatch I’ve done some testing, but not sure what I’ve found really. I’ve so far identified 3 scenarios. Scenario 1: I have the whitelist profile installed on the iPhone. I download an app that appears in the whitelist from my watch (or at least its iPhone version does). The apps show up on the iPhone automatically and can be launched there. These apps cannot be launched on the watch. Scenario 2: I downloaded a few apps to my watch, that didn’t automatically install on my iPhone at the same time. They were on the whitelist. These ones couldn’t be launched from my Watch. I then downloaded them to the iPhone and they could be launched there (since they were on the whitelist). Scenario 3: A couple of 3rd party apps on the whitelist could be downloaded and launched from the watch with the whitelist installed. It seems as though there are different kinds of Apple Watch app and this is what I’ve read elsewhere. First of all there are Watch-only apps, which do not automatically install a companion iPhone app. Secondly there are companion apps, which when installed from the Watch App Store download their companion app to the iPhone in the background. Someone please correct me - I’m bound to be overlooking something here. So maybe the apps that when installed from Watch automatically install on iPhone and can only be launched from the iPhone have a separate bundle ID for their Watch app which I haven’t included? Apps that are on the whitelist AND do not automatically install an iPhone app AND can be launched from the Watch, include: solstice What3words So maybe these do not need a companion app, but have the same Bundle ID as their iPhone app? However, I’m still not sure why many stock Apple Watch apps are missing from the Watch…. The most obvious answer is that I’ve got their Bundle IDs wrong, but I don’t think I have given I extracted the bundle IDs from the App Store pages of the Apple WatchOS apps. I noticed at this Apple Support page (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/deployment/dep34c5cd30f/1/web/1.0) that there is no mention of whitelisting or blacklisting apps on WatchOS using MDM, yet something definitely happens on the watch when the configuration profile is installed on the iPhone. Furthermore, if I tap on a configuration profile, which comprises a blacklist, on my iPhone it will ask me if I want to install it on the iPhone or Watch. The same pop-up question doesn’t happen when the profile contains a whitelist. All this to say, I’m massively confused as to why I can’t get this working. I’d really appreciate anyone’s advice which is bound to be expert. Thank you
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1.6k
Sep ’25
Unexpected Removal of Apple Watch Apps When Using allowListedAppBundleIDs in iOS Configuration Profile
Summary: When applying a configuration profile that uses allowListedAppBundleIDs to permit a defined set of apps, essential Apple Watch apps are unexpectedly removed from the paired Watch — even though their associated iPhone bundle IDs are explicitly included. This issue occurs with a minimal profile, and has been consistently reproducible on the latest versions of iOS and watchOS. Impact: This behavior severely limits the use of Apple Watch in managed environments (e.g., education, family management, accessibility contexts), where allowlisting is a key control mechanism. It also suggests either: Undocumented internal dependencies between iOS and watchOS apps, or A possible regression in how allowlists interact with Watch integration. Steps to Reproduce: Create a configuration profile with a Restrictions payload containing only the allowListedAppBundleIDs key. Allow a broad list of essential system apps, including all known Apple Watch-related bundle IDs: com.apple.NanoAlarm com.apple.NanoNowPlaying com.apple.NanoOxygenSaturation com.apple.NanoRegistry com.apple.NanoRemote com.apple.NanoSleep com.apple.NanoStopwatch com.apple.NanoWorldClock (All the bundles can be seen in the Attached profile) Install the profile on a supervised or non-supervised iPhone paired with an Apple Watch. Restart both devices. Observe that several core Watch apps (e.g. Heart Rate, Activity, Workout) are missing from the Watch. Expected Behavior: All apps explicitly included in the allowlist should function normally. System apps — especially those tied to hardware like Apple Watch — should remain accessible unless explicitly excluded. Actual Behavior: Multiple Apple Watch system apps are removed or hidden, despite their iPhone bundle IDs being listed in the allowlist. Test Environment: iPhone running iOS 18 Apple Watch running watchOS 11 Profile includes only the allowListedAppBundleIDs key Issue confirmed on fresh devices with no third-party apps Request for Apple Engineering: Please confirm whether additional internal or undocumented bundle IDs are required to preserve Apple Watch functionality when allowlisting apps. If this behavior is unintended, please treat this as a regression or bug affecting key system components. If intentional, please provide formal documentation listing all required bundle IDs for preserving Watch support with allowlisting enabled. Attachment: .mobileconfig profile demonstrating the issue (clean, minimal, reproducible) Attached test profile = https://drive.google.com/file/d/12YknGWuo1bDG-bmzPi0T41H6uHrhDmdR/view?usp=sharing
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297
Sep ’25
Serial number on supervised device
Hello world! First post here. Developing my first app. It primarily targets supervised and MDM managed devices. A few questions: For supervised devices, is serial number available? I want to get the number and use it for app auto activation Is MDM required for supervised devices? Or, as long as a device is enrolled through Apple Business Manager? Which capacity shall I request for the app? Thanks so much!
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222
Sep ’25
Certificado APN para MDM por primera vez
Nuestra cuenta está aprobada como MDM Vendor y necesitamos emitir por primera vez el certificado APNs para MDM en el portal de Push Certificates. Procedimiento seguido Primero hemos descargado desde nuestra cuenta de Apple Developer el certificado de MDM Vendor y lo hemos instalado en el ordenador. Esto lo hemos hecho para que, al lanzar la instrucción de OpenSSL, se pueda utilizar el UUID gestionado por Apple y así generar el CSR de forma correcta. La instrucción que estamos ejecutando es la siguiente: openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout mdm_private.key -out mdm.csr -subj "/O=Numbux/OU=MDM/CN=com.apple.mgmt.External." El CSR resultante es puro (no está firmado ni empaquetado) y está generado con RSA 2048 y SHA256. Sin embargo, al subirlo al portal de Push Certificates, seguimos recibiendo el error “invalid signing request”. Solicitud Dado que es nuestra primera emisión, entendemos que necesitamos el External UUID asignado por Apple a nuestra organización, porque veo que el problema se deriva de una incorrecto UUID que se está generando en el comando OpenSSL. ¿Podríais confirmarnos cuál es ese valor para poder completar el CSR y así emitir correctamente el certificado APNs MDM? He llamado a los números 900 812 703 y al 900 812 468 y he escrito al soporte de developer. NADIE ES CAPAZ DE DARMELO. Sin el external UUID no puedo crear el APN para mi MDM. Alguien me puede ayudar? No me mandeis links ni posibles números que llamar porque ya lo he hecho.
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295
Sep ’25
Disable Fast User Switching in Control Center
We've disabled FUS through a config profile, but users can still access FUS by enabling the MenuBar/Control Center icons. My org would like to prevent access to FUS so I've created a config profile. But the profile doesn't seem to work. Anyone have any ideas what I'm missing, or is this an OS bug? <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>PayloadDisplayName</key> <string>macOS - Tahoe - Disable Fast User Switching Control Center</string> <key>PayloadIdentifier</key> <string>com.myorg.fast-user-switching</string> <key>PayloadType</key> <string>Configuration</string> <key>PayloadScope</key> <string>System</string> <key>PayloadUUID</key> <string>f1a2b3c4-d5e6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890</string> <key>PayloadVersion</key> <integer>1</integer> <key>TargetDevmyorgType</key> <integer>5</integer> <key>PayloadContent</key> <array> <dict> <key>PayloadType</key> <string>com.apple.controlcenter</string> <key>PayloadVersion</key> <integer>1</integer> <key>PayloadIdentifier</key> <string>com.apple.controlcenter.57EBEF9E-E568-411E-AE27-500AD98C94F4</string> <key>PayloadUUID</key> <string>f1a2b3c4-d5e6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890</string> <key>UserSwitcher</key> <integer>8</integer> </dict> <dict> <key>PayloadType</key> <string>.GlobalPreferences</string> <key>PayloadVersion</key> <integer>1</integer> <key>PayloadIdentifier</key> <string>.GlobalPreferences.71DE1486-60BC-4CB9-890D-AD50A772890D</string> <key>PayloadUUID</key> <string>c5234012-e0sw-2066-6fl8-3bd5p8125op7</string> <key>MultipleSessionEnabled</key> false/> </dict> </array> </dict> </plist>
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296
Sep ’25
DMM App Managed doesn't allow for reinstalls or respects version element
Hello, this may not be the correct place to ask this question so I apologize in advance if this is the case. I am currently running into two specifc issues while continuing to implement the app.managed configuration which are quite frustrating and I will detail them below Unlike MDM where an application could be "reinstalled", by sending an install application command down for the same app DM does not have a similar mechanism which causes some issues as (while inconsistent) devices do not always respect the configuration sent down, and will not begin downloading VPP applications. They can be seen in the configuration when checking under VPN & Device Management but they do not return on a status report, alternatively and app will "install" but will have a cloud symbol next to it requiring a download (which I believe would be impossible on supervised devices without apple accounts/have restricted apple accounts associated to them). These apps are also reported incorrectly, as they return a managed response while being inaccessible. Both of these issues are solved by removing and reinstall applications (occasionally). Is there any easier way to trigger a re-install or is this the only way to trigger this? The Version element that can be optionally sent down does not seem to work (or if it does, does so inconsistently). A device will very happily download the application initially with the version element present, though when we detect an updated external ID from the VPP program and send down an updated configuration devices behave unexpectedly. Some have ignored it, some have responded back that a download has begun (with no download taking place and the application clearly still being the initial installed version as can be see in the apps page) or it just works, but there is not consistency. I realize a new UpdateBehavior object has been added to possibly handle this, but it is only supported in iOS 26 and above and there are plenty of people who do not have phones that can upgrade that far. Are there alternative ways to enforce an application update other than uninstalling and reinstalling the application without the version (or will sending down a config without a version after one was originally pinned force it to update to latest?) Kind Regards
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625
Sep ’25
ABM Sync Fails with “Terms and Conditions Not Signed” Error Despite Acceptance
We are experiencing an issue with Apple Business Manager (ABM) synchronization that is blocking our device management workflow. Issue Description: During the ABM sync process in our MDM, we receive the error: "ABM Terms and Conditions not signed." What We’ve Checked: Logged into the ABM portal as the Administrator and confirmed that the latest Terms and Conditions. Attempted to renew the ABM token on our existing server, but the same error message continues to appear in MDM. Tried creating a brand new ABM server integration, which also fails with the same error. We checked with our MDM provider and they shared the logs, response received from ABM. It says T_C_NOT_SIGNED. But we have already accepted all the new Terms in ABM. We would appreciate any help in resolving this issue or guidance on what steps to take next.
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666
Sep ’25
Device enrollment to ABM failing with timeout during setup
Hello, I’m facing an issue while trying to add iOS devices to Apple Business Manager (ABM) using Apple Configurator during enrollment. When going through the setup process, the device fails to complete enrollment and times out. I’ve tried it multiple times. The device does appear in ABM during the process and I am able to assign it to different MDM servers but since the setup times out and fails, the device is automatically released. I have tried this with multiple iOS devices and it times out on every single one of them. Steps attempted: Factory reset and re-enrollment of the device Ensured network connectivity is stable and tested on multiple Wi-Fi networks Tried the following process using Apple Configurator on Mac (wired): Created a Wi-Fi profile in Configurator Connected the iPhone via cable and used Prepare (manual configuration) Used the “MDM server” placeholder and trusted anchors (as recommended) Linked the device to the ABM organization Skipped Setup Assistant steps Attached the Wi-Fi profile, then prepared and wiped the device Verified that the device should appear in ABM Attempted to assign the device to my MDM in ABM Despite these checks, the enrollment process times out. I’m attaching a screenshot of the error for reference. Could someone advise what might be causing this timeout or how I can further troubleshoot this? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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243
Sep ’25
When did the phonenumber item among the information that can be obtained by the command 'DeviceInformation Command.command.Queries' stop?
Hello ! Currently, we have customers who use about 5,000 devices. In the case of ios26, the phone number is not acquired overall, and 18.x, 17.x, and 16.x are all acquired in half and not acquired in half. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/deviceinformationcommand/command-data.dictionary/queries-data.dictionary It seems that it is the right behavior not to acquire it on the specification sheet. However, I wonder when it became impossible to acquire. (There are devices that can be acquired and devices that can't be acquired in the same os version.) Will the devices that are being acquired be blocked someday? When it was developed in 2019, it was in a state that could be acquired in full. I would also like to ask if there is an alternative way to get your phone number. Thank you.
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248
Sep ’25
MDM Profile Installation Issue on iPhone 17 - Suspected Parameter Transmission Error
Issue Description: We are experiencing MDM profile installation failures specifically on iPhone 17 devices. After extensive testing and comparison between affected and working devices, we suspect this appears to be a parameter transmission error rather than device settings. Technical Analysis: Device Settings Comparison: No differences found between problematic and working devices in system settings, indicating this is not a configuration issue. Suspected Parameter Transmission Error: • Device model information appears to be restricted or blocked during profile download • User ID and phone number parameters are not being transmitted to the server • Installation logs show missing login ID and phone number entries Symptoms: • During MDM profile installation, the "Apps & Restrictions" section that should appear is missing • Profile download parameters are suspected to not be properly transmitted to the server • Installation process fails at the profile configuration stage Critical Finding: When we cloned a previously working device to create a problematic device configuration, the cloned device also began experiencing the same installation failures. This strongly suggests the issue is related to device-specific parameters or identifiers. Additional Information: We continue to receive reports of this issue from our iPhone 17 users, and these reports are occurring across various iOS versions. Request for Assistance: Has anyone encountered similar MDM profile installation issues on iPhone 17? Are there known limitations or changes in how device parameters are transmitted during MDM enrollment on this model? Any guidance on debugging parameter transmission or known workarounds would be greatly appreciated.
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422
Oct ’25
macOS login issue with federation
We have couple of devices that are registered into Platform SSO, and we have been noticing an issue when the user tried to login. After the users enters the password and hit the return key nothing happens, they need to hit the return key probably 10-15 times in order for the login to happen, the password entered is the correct one and it's just that hitting the return key doesn't invoke the login. On checking the log of the device one unusual thing that we noticed as compared to a different device where the login is working in a single go is that the AppSSOAgent or AppSSODaemon process were not getting invoked
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321
Oct ’25
Inquiry: Inconsistent VPP UpdateBehavior with DDM (auto-update timing + manual-update gating)
Hi there, We’re testing Declarative Device Management (DDM) for VPP app management and followed the latest declaration template here: https://github.com/apple/device-management/blob/release/declarative/declarations/configurations/app.managed.yaml Our goal is to enable VPP auto-updates via the declaration. The payload we’re using looks like this: "AppStoreID": "1231325957", "InstallBehavior": "{\"Install\": \"Required\", \"License\": {\"Assignment\": \"Device\"}}", "UpdateBehavior": "{\"AutomaticAppUpdates\": \"AlwaysOn\"}" } What we’re seeing Device A (no Apple ID signed into App Store): User can manually update the VPP app with the above declaration in place. ( The same user cannot update the app if UpdateBehavior is not in the declaration payload. Device B (Apple ID signed into App Store, and the same Apple ID doesn't have the above app purchased): User cannot manually update the same VPP app. The App Store shows the error seen when UpdateBehavior is absent: “ cannot be updated because it was refunded or purchased with a different Apple Account.” Also, in this case, the user has no way to purchase the (free) app by their own as the app shows as owned/managed by MDM server. We have to remove the declaration, let the user purchase the same app, then re-deploy the declaration to allow the user to click that "Update" button when a new version for that app is available. Additionally, we’re unsure about the criteria/timing for automatic VPP app updates under DDM. After a new version became available, we waited several hours but the app did not auto-update. Repro summary App: VPP, device-assigned license Declaration: AutomaticAppUpdates = AlwaysOn, install required Device A: not signed into App Store → manual update allowed Device B: signed into App Store → manual update blocked with “refunded/different account” error Auto-update did not occur after waiting several hours post-release Any guidance, confirmation of expected behavior, or tips on additional logging we should collect (e.g., specific App Store / MDM / DDM logs and subsystems) would be greatly appreciated. If this is a known issue or requires a Feedback Assistant report, we’re happy to file one. Thanks,
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424
Oct ’25
📱 [iOS 26.1 beta 2] allowCamera restriction not working properly on both supervised and BYOD devices
Details: Device: iPhone 12 Pro Max System: iOS 26.1 beta 2 Issue Description: When testing MDM device restriction capabilities on iOS 26.1 beta 2, I found that the allowCamera restriction does not work as expected. Observed Behavior: • On a BYOD device: When allowCamera is set to false, the Camera and FaceTime apps disappear from the Home Screen, as expected. However, third-party apps (such as WeChat) can still access the camera and take photos. • On earlier versions (e.g. iOS 26.0.1): Setting allowCamera to false correctly blocks all apps, including third-party apps, from accessing the camera. Initially, I assumed Apple might have changed this restriction behavior so that allowCamera only applies to supervised devices. However, after testing on supervised devices, I found that even there, when allowCamera is set to false, the Camera and FaceTime apps are hidden, but third-party apps can still use the camera. This indicates that the restriction is not functioning correctly in iOS 26.1 beta 2. Expectation: When allowCamera is set to false, all camera access — including third-party apps — should be blocked. Request: Could someone from Apple’s development or MDM team confirm whether this is an expected behavior change or a potential bug in iOS 26.1 beta 2?
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79
Oct ’25
app to restriction student phone use in schools
I work at a school in NYC and have a software idea that could better support the new NYC phone ban law than current market options (i.e. Yondr pouches). Right now at my school, students and staff scan a QR code upon entering the building to indicate that they are in the building. They scan again on the way out to indicate they've left the building. This is super helpful for attendance, particularly in emergency situations (fire drills, etc). Imagine if when students scanned their QR code, it also activated an app similar to Opal or ScreenZen, but with an admin preset whitelisted apps. The idea is that this app would default deny access to all apps on students' phones except the admin preset whitelisted ones such as Phone, Calculator, etc. Depending on the age/needs of the student, other apps like Spotify, or medical apps could also be whitelisted. My question is -- is this idea possible to create? We would need admin preset controls to create the preset whitelist. We can't have students picking their own restrictions, as we know most would opt to not restrict at all. We would need an admin dashboard so teachers/admin can see which students have activated the app in the building, and which may be trying to sneakily avoid it. We would ideally need to be able to whitelist both system apps like Phone and Calculator, as well as non-system apps such as Spotify (and medical apps -- we have some students who manage/monitor their Diabetes with an app). I don't have a background in software. I'm a math and health teacher. I've experimented with trying to have friends who majored in CS to create this app for me, but they've all either struggled/lost interest. So I'm also looking for a business partner in this venture. If anyone has any guidance here, it would be so helpful! My boss (Head of School) is super interested in this idea and significantly prefers it to every other alternative that he has encountered. The problem is this idea does not exist yet! Note: I know this is a super similar idea to the app and product "Brick". Notably, though, Brick does not have the ability for admin preset controls, or the admin dashboard. We reached out to the company to see if they're create this for us and they said it's a back burner idea that they're aware of, but it's not a priority for them right now. Thank you for any guidance!
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598
Oct ’25
iOS 26 devices in Single App Mode stuck on lock screen
On iOS 26, if in "Single App Mode", the device gets stuck on the lock screen. Devices are configured in SAM (kiosk mode), without a PIN requirement. Since updating to iPadOS 26, every single device that locks (goes to sleep) becomes completely unresponsive at the lock screen. Touch input does not work. The only way to regain access is to reboot the device, which will boot to the SAM app, but then lock again if it goes to sleep. Related discussion in the public forums.
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977
Oct ’25
Managing order of Transparent Proxies from MDM like JAMF
There could be a case where-in multiple transparent proxies might exist in the system (for ex., Cisco AnyConnect, GlobalProtect, etc). We want to know if there is a way to order transparent proxies so that the desired transparent proxy gets the request first. During our research, we found a resource which talks about ordering transparent proxies through MDM. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/vpn/transparentproxy Using this reference, we tried to create a profile and push it through JAMF. Below is the profile that we created and pushed with JAMF. Property List - &lt;?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?&gt; &lt;!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"&gt; &lt;plist version="1.0"&gt; &lt;dict&gt; &lt;key&gt;TransparentProxy&lt;/key&gt; &lt;array&gt; &lt;dict&gt; &lt;key&gt;ProviderBundleIdentifier&lt;/key&gt; &lt;string&gt;com.paloaltonetworks.GlobalProtect.client.extension&lt;/string&gt; &lt;key&gt;Order&lt;/key&gt; &lt;string&gt;1&lt;/string&gt; &lt;/dict&gt; &lt;dict&gt; &lt;key&gt;ProviderBundleIdentifier&lt;/key&gt; &lt;string&gt;com.cisco.anyconnect.macos.acsockext&lt;/string&gt; &lt;key&gt;Order&lt;/key&gt; &lt;string&gt;2&lt;/string&gt; &lt;/dict&gt; &lt;dict&gt; &lt;key&gt;ProviderBundleIdentifier&lt;/key&gt; &lt;string&gt;com.mydomain.transparentproxy&lt;/string&gt; &lt;key&gt;Order&lt;/key&gt; &lt;string&gt;3&lt;/string&gt; &lt;/dict&gt; &lt;/array&gt; We are not sure if this is the right way to create the profile, though JAMF is not throwing any error while pushing this profile. We see this profile on the local machine as "/Library/Managed Preferences/com.apple.networking.vpn-transparent-list.plist". Is there a way to know if the profile took effect and the order of transparent proxies has changed. Thanks in advance.
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1.3k
Oct ’25