DEP-2025 Practice Exam Questions with Answers Apple Deployment and Management Certification Exam Certification

TheLock commandin MDM allows administrators to remotely lock a Mac and require asix-digit PINfor reactivation. Apple documentation specifies this command is particularly useful for securing a device temporarily, such as when it is lost, stolen, or during incident response. Unlike Managed Lost Mode (which applies only to iOS/iPadOS devices), this Mac-specific command forces the device into a locked state. When the device restarts, it presents a PIN entry screen before the user can proceed. Activation Lock, on the other hand, prevents reactivation with a different Apple ID, not a six-digit PIN entry. EraseDevice would wipe the Mac entirely, not prompt for a PIN. Thus, the reported behavior directly aligns with the Lock a Mac command.

FileVault encryption requires authentication. ThemacOS Security Overviewstates, "When FileVault is enabled, macOS Recovery requires a FileVault-enabled user account and password to decrypt the disk." Option D (Recovery Lock) uses a separate password, not user selection.

Managed Distribution, available through Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), is required to push apps to devices using an MDM solution. It allows administrators to assign app licenses (purchased or free) to devices or users, which the MDM then deploys silently, assuming the device is supervised or the user consents. An APNs certificate (option A) enables MDM communication but isn’t specific to app pushing. User acceptance (option C) may be needed for non-supervised devices but isn’t a requirement for supervised ones. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Business Manager User Guidedetails Managed Distribution’s role in app deployment.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage notification settings on a device, such as disabling notifications for specific apps, configuring Do Not Disturb, or restricting Notification Center access. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to notification management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles contain the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails notification control via profiles.

Configuration profiles, deployed via MDM or manually, allow IT administrators to restrict apps on a device by setting policies such as blocking the App Store, preventing app removal, or allowing only specific apps (e.g., via an allow list). These profiles are highly customizable for security and compliance. Activation Lock (option A) secures device reactivation, not app restrictions. Find My (option C) and iCloud (option D) are user-focused features without app restriction capabilities. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails configuration profiles’ role in app management.

User Enrollment is designed for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios, separating personal and managed data on the device. It uses a Managed Apple ID to apply organizational policies (e.g., managed apps) while leaving personal data (e.g., photos, personal apps) untouched, leveraging a cryptographic separation. Automated Device Enrollment (option A) is for organization-owned devices with full control, not BYOD. Device Enrollment (option B) applies to organization-owned or manually enrolled devices without inherent data separation. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails User Enrollment’s privacy-focused approach for BYOD.

Content is cached on the tethered Mac. TheApple Configurator User Guidestates, "When provisioning tethered iPad devices using Apple Configurator, content is cached on the Mac they are connected to, speeding up the process."

Apple’smanaged software updatesallow MDM administrators to enforce deadlines for macOS upgrades or patches. Apple Learning specifies that if the user does not manually install the update before the deadline, theupdate installs automatically. This occurs regardless of user activity, ensuring the Mac is brought into compliance. Users may receive reminders before the deadline, but once the deadline passes, the update is forced to install. This guarantees that security patches or new OS versions are not indefinitely delayed by end-user inaction. Notifications are not suppressed, and there is no 30-day deferral once a deadline is in effect. The entire purpose of this mechanism is to ensure organizations can enforce timely compliance with critical security or functional updates.

The proxy server URL is mandatory. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "For automatic proxy configuration in the Global HTTP Proxy payload, the proxy server URL must be specified to point to the PAC file."

Apple’saccount-driven enrollmentallows users to self-enroll devices into MDM without the need for profiles distributed manually. To use this enrollment method, Apple requires the user to sign in with aManaged Apple Accountcreated in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. When the user enters their credentials, the device recognizes the account as managed and begins the enrollment process. Apple Learning highlights that this workflow simplifies enrollment for end users while ensuring the device is linked to organizational management. Supervision is not a prerequisite here, and personal Apple IDs are not eligible. Identity providers like Google Workspace or Microsoft Entra ID may provide federated authentication for the Managed Apple Account, but the account itself must exist as a managed entity in ABM or ASM.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) provides IT administrators with the capability to remotely wipe a device, either fully (factory reset) or selectively (removing managed data), via commands sent over APNs. This is a core MDM feature for security and compliance. Activation Lock (option A) prevents unauthorized reactivation after a wipe but doesn’t perform the wipe. Find My (option B) allows users to wipe their own devices, not administrators. iCloud (option D) supports personal wipes via Find My, not organizational ones. TheMDM Protocol Referenceconfirms MDM’s remote wipe functionality.

A content token links app licenses to MDM for distribution. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "To configure Managed Distribution, download the content token from Apple Business Manager and upload it to your MDM server. This token authorizes the MDM to manage and distribute apps to enrolled devices." Options B, C, and D are unrelated to app distribution.

When deploying aGlobal HTTP Proxy payload, the required field to enable automatic proxy configuration is theProxy type. Apple documentation specifies that administrators must set this field to either “Manual” or “Auto.” If “Auto” is selected, the device will automatically fetch and apply the proxy settings from a PAC (Proxy Auto-Configuration) file. While fields like URL or Port may be needed depending on the type, the fundamental requirement that determines how the proxy is applied is theProxy typeitself. Without this configuration, the device cannot distinguish between a manual or automatic proxy setup.

When redeploying iPhones, administrators may want to preserve cellular service on devices without forcing users to reactivate their carrier plans. Apple’s MDM framework provides this option through theRemote Wipecommand. Within this command, Apple includes a key calledPreserveDataPlan. When enabled, this key ensures the existing eSIM remains intact after the wipe process. Other erase workflows, like a standard “Erase All Content and Settings” performed by the user, may not preserve eSIM data. Apple emphasizes that the controlled Remote Wipe option is specifically designed to support enterprise redeployment while maintaining seamless carrier connectivity.

User Enrollment, designed for BYOD, requires a Managed Apple ID to separate personal and managed data cryptographically. Created via Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), Managed Apple IDs enable organizational policies while preserving user privacy. Personal Apple IDs (options A and C, the same) are not used for User Enrollment, as they lack organizational control. There’s no “Shared Apple ID” (option D); Shared iPad uses Managed Apple IDs differently. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidemandates Managed Apple IDs for User Enrollment.

Managed apps offer flexibility. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "Managed apps can be revoked or reassigned to other users or devices via MDM." Option B is false as device assignment is possible, C is incorrect for books, and D is wrong as apps can be device-assigned.

Unlisted apps require a link. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "Unlisted apps are published to the App Store but are discoverable only via a direct link, often for private distribution."

User Enrollment separates managed data. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "With User Enrollment, managed data such as Notes associated with a Managed Apple ID is separated from personal data." Options A, B, and D aren’t inherently separated unless tied to managed apps.

The one-to-one deployment model, also referred to as personally enabled, involves assigning a single device to an individual user, allowing personalization while maintaining organizational oversight via MDM. This model is a strategic choice for organizations aiming to balance user flexibility with management control, often used in education or enterprise settings. Application Programming Interface (API) (option A) is a technical tool, not a deployment model. Over-the-air (OTA) enrollment (option B) is a method of enrolling devices, not a deployment model defining ownership or usage. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideidentifies one-to-one as a core deployment model alongside shared and BYOD scenarios.

Content caching on a Mac improves network performance by storing frequently accessed content (e.g., app updates, iCloud data) locally, reducing internet bandwidth usage and speeding up downloads for connected devices. It doesn’t enhance security (option A), separate data (option C, a User Enrollment feature), or simplify enrollment (option D, an ADE benefit). TheApple Platform Deployment Guideemphasizes bandwidth optimization as the primary benefit of content caching.

When distributing apps and books purchased through Apple Business Manager, the MDM server requires authorization to access the organization’s content. Apple Learning confirms that administrators mustdownload the server tokenfrom Apple Business Manager and upload it into the MDM solution. This token provides the secure connection between ABM and MDM, allowing purchased licenses to sync and be assigned to devices or users. Content tokens and distribution tokens are not valid terms for this process. Without the server token, new purchases will not appear in the MDM portal, and apps cannot be assigned.

Apple’sContent Caching serviceimproves bandwidth efficiency by storing downloaded data locally. Administrators can configure the caching server’s behavior with MDM payloads. Apple Learning clarifies that to cachesoftware updates, apps, and books, the cache content type must be set toShared. The “Shared” category includes App Store apps, macOS updates, iOS/iPadOS updates, and other publicly distributed content. In contrast, theiCloud optioncaches personal iCloud data such as photos and documents. Selecting “Shared and iCloud” enables both categories, which is not the requirement in this case. There is no “All Updates” option in Apple’s terminology. By choosing “Shared,” IT ensures only organizationally relevant updates are cached, reducing storage and focusing performance where needed.

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.

Apple School Manager (ASM) supports the distribution of multiple content types via Managed Distribution: apps (free or purchased), books (from the Books Store), and custom content (e.g., PDFs or ePub files created by the organization). This allows schools to manage all educational materials centrally. Options A, B, and C are all correct individually, but D encompasses them all, aligning with ASM’s capabilities as outlined in theApple School Manager User Guide.

Declarative Device Management (DDM), introduced by Apple, allows devices to autonomously manage their configurations based on declarations provided by the MDM server. When reporting their status back to the MDM server, devices use the status channel, a dedicated communication pathway designed for this purpose. Declarations (option A) are instructions sent from the MDM server to the device, not the mechanism for reporting status. Profiles (option C) are used in traditional MDM to configure devices but are not specific to status reporting in DDM. Apple’sMDM Protocol Referenceexplains that the status channel enables devices to send updates about their compliance and configuration state, confirming B as the correct answer.

Managed Distribution, available through Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), is required to deploy books to devices using an MDM solution. Administrators purchase books in ABM/ASM, assign them to users or devices via Managed Distribution, and the MDM pushes them silently (for supervised devices) or with user consent. An Apple Developer account (option A) is for apps, not books. User acceptance (option C) may be needed for non-supervised devices but isn’t the core requirement. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Business Manager User Guideconfirms Managed Distribution for book deployment.

The provisional period starts post-enrollment. TheApple Configurator User Guidestates, "The 30-day provisional period begins after the device enrolls in the MDM server, allowing users to opt out of supervision."

Profile Manager, a macOS tool, enables configuration profile creation and management, allowing IT administrators to define settings (e.g., Wi-Fi, security) for deployment via MDM or manually. This centralizes device configuration for organizations. Personalization (option A) is user-driven and often restricted by profiles. Network performance (option C) is unrelated, and data separation (option D) pertains to User Enrollment. The Apple Platform Deployment Guide highlights profile creation as Profile Manager’s primary benefit.

Apple School Manager (ASM) is the dedicated portal for educational institutions to manage student devices, staff accounts, and content like apps and books. It supports features like Shared iPad and integration with classroom tools, tailored for education. Apple Business Manager (option A) is for businesses, not schools. Apple Configurator (option B) is a tool for manual device setup, not a management portal. There’s no standalone “Managed Apple ID portal” (option D); Managed Apple IDs are managed within ASM. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies ASM for educational device management.

When evaluating Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions, a critical factor to consider is the pricing structure and subscription model. Organizations must assess their budget, the number of devices to manage, and projected growth to ensure the MDM solution is cost-effective and scalable. This includes understanding per-device licensing fees, subscription tiers, and additional costs for features. While support for watchOS (option A) may be relevant for specific use cases, it’s not a universal consideration for all MDM evaluations. A device’s life cycle and trade-in value (option C) pertains to hardware management, not the MDM solution itself. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideemphasizes aligning MDM costs with organizational needs, making pricing structure a key evaluation criterion.

Managed Distribution, available through Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, enables app license management by allowing organizations to purchase, assign, and revoke app licenses centrally. This ensures efficient use of licenses, reassignment as needed, and compliance with licensing terms. Personalization (option A) is unrelated to distribution. Data separation (option C) is a feature of User Enrollment, not Managed Distribution. Simplified enrollment (option D) pertains to ADE, not app management. TheApple Business Manager User Guidehighlights license management as the primary benefit.

Apple silicon Macs introduced a new security model, replacing firmware passwords with theSetRecoveryLockMDM command. This command allows administrators to set a recovery password that must be entered before anyone can boot into macOS Recovery. SinceStartup Security Utilityis accessed through Recovery, the Recovery Lock effectively prevents end users from entering this tool without IT authorization. Apple’s learning materials clarify that legacy commands likeSetFirmwarePasswordapply only to Intel-based Macs. FileVault protects data at rest but does not block access to Recovery. PreventSystemSecurityAccess is not a defined MDM command. The correct and modern approach isSetRecoveryLock, which aligns with Apple silicon’s secure boot architecture and enterprise deployment best practices.

Thebootstrap tokenis a mechanism introduced by Apple to help MDM solutions automatically grant SecureToken to managed accounts. Apple specifies that escrow of a bootstrap token requires the device to besupervised. Without supervision, MDM cannot request or store the bootstrap token. This token becomes critical when enabling FileVault, since new accounts may need SecureToken for disk unlock. By escrowing the bootstrap token, MDM ensures accounts created later (e.g., through identity integration or Jamf Connect) can automatically receive SecureToken. This simplifies administration and prevents situations where FileVault cannot be enabled due to missing tokens.

When Activation Lock is enabled on a supervised Apple device, the organization needs a way to recover the device if a user leaves or forgets credentials. Apple Learning states that MDM can escrow and store abypass codefor Activation Lock. This code can then be used by IT administrators to unlock and reactivate the device without needing the original Apple ID. It is not stored in ABM/ASM, nor tied to the user’s Managed Apple Account or personal Apple ID. Instead, it resides in the organization’s MDM solution for controlled use. This ensures organizations can always return supervised devices to service while still maintaining theft deterrence against unauthorized users.

Server tokens expire annually. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "The MDM server token expires every 12 months and must be renewed to maintain enrollment functionality."

Connecting Apple devices to enterprise-grade802.1X networksrequires delivering specific payloads through MDM. Apple Learning details that an MDM profile must include aNetwork payloadto define the SSID, authentication method, and connection settings. Additionally, devices need trusted certificates to authenticate with the RADIUS server, making theCertificates payloadessential. The Certificates payload ensures the device can validate the server’s identity and provide the client certificate if needed. Trust and Identity payloads are not standalone for Wi-Fi; they are part of certificate configuration within the Certificates payload. Encryption is a property of the authentication method, not a payload. Thus, the required payloads for reliable 802.1X deployment areNetworkandCertificates, ensuring devices connect securely without requiring end-user configuration.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage location settings on a device, such as enabling/disabling Location Services, restricting app access to location data, or enforcing privacy settings. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually. Find My (option B) uses location for tracking but isn’t a management tool. iCloud (option C) is unrelated to location management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles define the settings. The Apple Platform Deployment Guide details location control via profiles.

The Secure Enclave validates biometric data. TheApple Platform Security Guidestates, "The Secure Enclave processes and validates data from Face ID and Touch ID sensors, ensuring secure authentication."

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage Screen Time settings on iOS/iPadOS devices (and macOS to a lesser extent), such as setting app limits, restricting content, or enforcing downtime. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, aligning with organizational policies. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to Screen Time management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles define the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails Screen Time configuration via profiles.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions provide IT administrators with the ability to manage software updates on macOS devices remotely. Through MDM, administrators can defer updates, enforce specific versions, or schedule installations, ensuring compliance and security across an organization’s fleet. Apple Configurator (option A) is primarily for iOS/iPadOS/tvOS devices, not macOS update management. System Preferences (option C) allows individual users to manage updates locally, not administrators remotely. Terminal (option D) can script updates but lacks the centralized control of MDM. TheMDM Protocol Referencedetails MDM’s software update management capabilities for macOS.

Content caching is a feature supported on Mac computers running macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, allowing them to cache software updates, apps, and iCloud content for other Apple devices on the network, reducing bandwidth usage. iPads (option A) and iPhones (option B) can benefit from cached content but don’t act as caching servers. Apple Watch (option D) lacks this capability entirely. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies macOS requirements for content caching.

AppleConfigurator for Macis a powerful utility for provisioning and preparing iOS and iPadOS devices. According to Apple Learning, one of its key uses is toenroll devices in MDM. This can be done by preparing devices with enrollment profiles, supervising them, and optionally assigning them to Apple Business Manager for Automated Device Enrollment. Configurator cannot remotely control devices — physical access is required. OS updates are still downloaded from Apple servers, though Configurator can facilitate the restore or update process. It also does not replace iCloud backups, especially for biometric data, which is never exportable. Its central role in deployments is enabling supervision, enrollment, and assignment of devices to MDM servers. This makes Configurator essential for environments where devices are not purchased directly from authorized resellers.

An enrollment profile establishes MDM control. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "An enrollment profile must be installed on a device to establish a connection with the MDM solution, enabling management." Options A, B, and D are unrelated to basic MDM enrollment.

On macOS, aSecureToken-enabled accountis tied to FileVault and other cryptographic functions. Apple Learning specifies that when MDM is used to change the password of a managed administrator account that already has SecureToken, both thelogin passwordand theSecureToken passwordare updated together. This synchronization is critical because a mismatch between login credentials and SecureToken would lock the user out of decrypting the FileVault-protected volume. Apple designed MDM password management to handle both elements in tandem to prevent account lockout and ensure continuity of access. Options suggesting only one password is updated, or that the change cannot occur, contradict Apple’s documented behavior. Therefore, both the login and SecureToken passwords are updated simultaneously when the change is pushed through MDM.

Apple Configurator supervises iPads for advanced management. TheApple Configurator User Guidestates, "Apple Configurator can supervise iPad devices, allowing you to apply restrictions and prepare them for MDM enrollment when connected via USB to a Mac." Options B, C, and D are incorrect as Configurator doesn’t handle biometric backups, remote control, or offline OS updates.

Apple introducedUser Enrollmentto support BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) scenarios. In bothAccount-driven User EnrollmentandAutomated User Enrollment, data separation is cryptographically enforced between organizational and personal data. Apple Learning emphasizes that apps like Calendar, Contacts, Notes, and Mail can store both personal and work accounts, but the data is kept in separate containers that cannot interact. For example, an organization’s managed calendar events cannot be copied into a user’s personal calendar. This guarantees user privacy while protecting organizational data. Automated Device Enrollment, by contrast, fully manages the device and does not enforce the same cryptographic separation. Profile-driven User Enrollment is deprecated in favor of account-driven. The key principle here is thatUser Enrollment modes create strong boundaries between personal and managed data.

Managed Distribution requires Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) to purchase and assign apps, books, or custom content to users or devices, which are then deployed via MDM. An Apple Developer account (option A) is for custom app creation, not distribution management. User acceptance (option C) may be needed for non-supervised devices but isn’t a requirement for the feature itself. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Business Manager User Guidemandates ABM/ASM for Managed Distribution.

Administrator and People Manager roles manage federation but use local ABM/ASM credentials. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "Administrators and People Managers can configure and manage the federation process in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, but their accounts remain local and cannot sign in using federated authentication." Options C, D, and E lack these permissions or are not relevant roles for federation management.

Supervision requires Apple Configurator (via USB connection) or Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) through Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM). These methods apply a supervision identity to the device, enabling advanced management features. An MDM solution (option A) manages supervised devices but isn’t the tool for applying supervision. User acceptance (option C) isn’t required, as supervision is an administrative action. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies these tools for supervision.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions are used to manage and secure Apple devices remotely. To link a device to an MDM solution, an enrollment profile is required. This profile is a configuration file that, once installed on the device, establishes a connection between the device and the MDM server, allowing the server to send commands and policies to the device. The enrollment profile contains information such as the MDM server’s URL and authentication details, enabling secure communication via Apple Push Notification service (APNs). While APNs (option A) facilitates communication between the MDM server and the device after enrollment, it is not the mechanism that links the device to the MDM solution. A firewall (option B) is a network security tool and unrelated to linking a device to MDM, and a restriction (option C) is a policy applied via MDM, not the linking mechanism itself. According to Apple’s official documentation, such as theApple Platform Deployment Guide, the enrollment profile is the foundational step for MDM enrollment.

Declarative Device Management (DDM) provides a more proactive approach for software updates. When administrators set an update deadline, supervised iPhones begin to notify users in advance. Specifically, Apple states that24 hours before the deadline, users receive a mandatory notification warning them the update will install automatically. This occurs regardless of Do Not Disturb settings because the system prioritizes compliance. The goal is to ensure that security and OS updates aren’t missed due to user inaction or notification suppression. Apple emphasizes that DDM deadlines enforce automatic enforcement while still providing users clear, advanced notice of impending installation.

Apple’s Setup Assistant skip payloads allow organizations to streamline enrollment by hiding certain configuration panes. When theLocation Services pane is skipped, the feature defaults tooffduring enrollment. Apple Learning specifies that the user retains the ability to enable Location Services later in Settings. This provides flexibility while reducing setup complexity. Skipping does not force the feature permanently off, nor does it require administrator intervention to enable it. The pane is simply suppressed from Setup Assistant, and the user decides post-enrollment whether to activate it. This approach ensures privacy while maintaining compliance with organizational deployment goals.

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.

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), used with Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, automatically supervises devices during setup, enabling advanced restrictions and management. Supervision is a default outcome of ADE for organization-owned devices. Device Enrollment (option B) can include supervision if paired with tools like Apple Configurator, but it’s not inherent. User Enrollment (option C) is for BYOD and doesn’t support supervision to protect user privacy. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideties supervision to ADE.

TheReturn to Serviceworkflow is designed for quickly redeploying supervised devices without IT staff manually setting them up. Apple notes that when initiating Return to Service with the EraseDevice command, administrators can optionally include items such as aWi-Fi profile. This ensures that the freshly erased device reconnects to the organization’s network automatically, allowing enrollment and setup to proceed without user intervention. Other items like wallpapers, installed apps, or Home Screen layouts are restored later through MDM after enrollment. Including a Wi-Fi payload is particularly critical for devices that do not have cellular connectivity.

Rapid Security Responses use a letter identifier. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "A Rapid Security Response appends a single-letter identifier, such as ‘(a)’, to the iOS version number (e.g., iOS 16.4.1 (a)) to indicate its application."

To deploy custom apps (e.g., in-house apps developed for an organization), an Apple Developer account is required to create and sign the app using an Enterprise Developer Program or standard Developer Program account. Once signed, the app can be distributed via MDM using Managed Distribution, but the account is the prerequisite for app creation. Managed Distribution (option B) facilitates deployment but assumes the app exists, requiring the developer account first. User acceptance (option C) may be needed for installation on non-supervised devices but isn’t the core requirement. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies the need for an Apple Developer account for custom apps.

ADE enforces OS requirements. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidestates, "When a device attempts ADE and doesn’t meet the minimum OS version specified in the MDM profile, it will download and install the required update during Setup Assistant, then resume the enrollment process automatically." Options B, C, and D don’t align with this process.

Apple divides administrative responsibilities into roles with specific privileges. According to the Apple Business Manager and School Manager role matrix, only theAdministratorandLocation Managerroles can create and manage locations. Locations in ABM are critical for organizing apps, books, and device assignments, especially for large institutions with multiple campuses or departments. Device Enrollment Managers focus only on device enrollment tasks, while People Managers handle user accounts. Content Managers can distribute apps and books but cannot add new locations. Apple’s training emphasizes that locations are tied directly to license management and content distribution, so Apple restricts this privilege to higher-trust roles like Administrators and Location Managers. This ensures organizational structure remains consistent and controlled.

Apple documents that devices prioritizepreferred networksfirst — these are networks the user or MDM has explicitly joined and saved. If no preferred networks are available, devices then attempt to joinprivate networks(those that do not broadcast public hotspots but are available locally). Finally, as a last resort, devices may joinpublic networks, such as captive Wi-Fi portals or unsecured hotspots. Apple Learning highlights this hierarchy to ensure consistent enterprise behavior and user experience. Administrators can influence priority through MDM-delivered Wi-Fi payloads, placing organizational SSIDs at the top of the preferred list. Public networks are deliberately last in the sequence because they are less secure and more likely to involve captive portals, which disrupt automatic connectivity.

Supervision, applied via Apple Configurator or ADE, enables additional restrictions on devices, such as blocking app removal, enforcing single-app mode, or managing Activation Lock, providing greater control for organizations. Personalization (option A) is more limited under supervision. Network performance (option C) is unrelated, and data separation (option D) is a User Enrollment feature. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidehighlights supervision’s enhanced management capabilities.

Account-driven User Enrollment limits MDM scope. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "MDM can enforce policies like requiring a passcode with User Enrollment, but it cannot access location, wipe the device, or disable Activation Lock."

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage cellular settings on iOS/iPadOS devices, such as configuring APN settings, disabling data roaming, or restricting cellular data for specific apps. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to cellular management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles contain the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails cellular configuration via profiles.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage email settings on a device, preconfiguring accounts with details like server addresses, ports, and authentication (e.g., OAuth, certificates). These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, ensuring consistent email access. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to email management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles define the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails email configuration via profiles.

Configuration profiles enable IT administrators to manage passcode settings on a device, enforcing policies such as minimum length, complexity (e.g., alphanumeric), maximum age, and failed attempt limits. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, ensuring security compliance. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are user-focused features unrelated to passcode management. MDM (option D) is the system that delivers profiles, but the profiles themselves define the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails passcode policy enforcement via configuration profiles.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage iCloud settings on a device, such as enabling/disabling iCloud Drive, restricting backups, or limiting document sync. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, providing granular control over iCloud features. Find My (option B) is a user-facing tracking feature, not a management tool. iCloud Backup (option C) is a specific iCloud service, not a management feature. MDM (option D) is the system that deploys profiles, but the profiles themselves contain the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails configuration profiles’ role in iCloud management.

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), used with Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), supports Activation Lock management by allowing administrators to enable, disable, or bypass Activation Lock on supervised devices via MDM. This is critical for organization-owned devices to ensure they can be reactivated after a wipe without user Apple IDs. Device Enrollment (option B) can manage Activation Lock if the device is supervised, but it’s not inherent without ADE. User Enrollment (option C) doesn’t support full Activation Lock management, as it’s for BYOD with limited control. The Apple Platform Deployment Guide ties Activation Lock management to ADE.

ADE enables supervision. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidestates, "Automated Device Enrollment automatically supervises devices during setup when linked to Apple Business Manager."

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), managed through Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), is supported on iPads, iPhones, Macs, and Apple TVs purchased from Apple or authorized resellers. It enables automatic MDM enrollment and supervision during setup. Options A, B, and C are all correct, and D encompasses them, aligning with ADE’s broad compatibility as per the Apple Platform Deployment Guide.

Declarative Device Management (DDM) reports changes proactively. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "Declarative Device Management enables devices to report state changes to MDM without polling, improving efficiency."

macOS Server features (e.g., Profile Manager, file sharing) are supported on Mac computers running macOS. While macOS Server as a standalone app was discontinued after macOS 10.13, its features were integrated into macOS itself starting with 10.14 (Mojave) and later. iPads (option A), iPhones (option B), and Apple Watches (option D) don’t support macOS Server functionality, as they run different operating systems. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies macOS requirements for these features.

TheReturn to Serviceworkflow is designed to quickly redeploy devices, particularly in education or enterprise shared-use environments. Apple Learning explains that the key benefit is theautomatic progression of the device to the Home Screen after an erase command. Normally, Setup Assistant requires user input to complete setup after a wipe, but with Return to Service, MDM can preconfigure settings such as Wi-Fi payloads and enrollment profiles. This allows the device to erase, re-enroll, and complete setup with no user interaction, landing directly at the Home Screen ready for the next user. It does not create Apple IDs, nor does it install updates automatically. It also avoids requiring authentication during setup. The speed and automation reduce IT overhead and downtime when reissuing devices.

Bonjour enables service discovery on a LAN. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "Bonjour supports discovering services such as printers, file shares, and other resources on a local network." Options A, B, and D are unrelated to Bonjour’s function.

iPhones prioritize preferred networks. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "iPhone prioritizes Wi-Fi networks in this order: preferred (known) networks, private networks, then public networks."

Custom local networks and public IP settings span subnets. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "To optimize bandwidth across subnets, use ‘Cache content for devices using custom local networks’ to specify multiple subnets and ‘devices using the same public IP address’ for broader reach."