Custom Configuration Profiles

Custom Configuration Profiles allow admins to deploy a standard Apple MDM configuration profile (.mobileconfig) that isn't natively supported by a dedicated profile type in the SimpleMDM interface. This gives admins access to any payload Apple supports, including ones SimpleMDM hasn't built a specific configuration screen for yet.

Please note - this is an advanced feature. Uploading a malformed or unsupported profile can cause unexpected behavior on the device. Please test thoroughly before deploying to production devices.

Creating a custom configuration profile

To create a custom configuration profile in the SimpleMDM interface:

1. Navigate to the Configs > Profiles section.
2. Click "Create Profile".
3. Select "Custom Configuration Profile".
4. Give the profile a name.

5. Provide the profile content in one of two ways:

   • Upload a .mobileconfig file, such as one exported from Apple Configurator or another MDM.
   • Paste the raw XML/plist content directly into the built-in editor.

   Note: The uploaded or pasted content must be a valid configuration profile (PayloadType of "Configuration") containing at least one payload in PayloadContent. SimpleMDM automatically manages the profile's identifier and server token, so these do not need to be included.

6. [Optional] Check "Process variables in the uploaded profile" if you wish to use custom attributes as variables within the profile content.
7. [Optional] Check "Escape any special characters in custom variables" if your custom attribute values may contain characters that need to be escaped for valid XML (only available once variable processing is enabled).
8. Click "Save" once you are done and assign the profile to your devices/groups like you would any other profile.

Platform and OS scope

Unlike some other profile types, custom configuration profiles don't have a fixed OS requirement built in, since the required platform and OS version depend entirely on the payload being deployed. Use the profile's scope settings to restrict which platforms (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS), OS version range, and Mac architecture (Intel/Apple Silicon) the profile is sent to, matching whatever the underlying payload actually requires.

Resources for building custom configuration profiles:

• Apple MDM Developer documentation - Configuration Profile Reference
• Apple Configurator for Mac User Guide
• iMazing Profile Editor

Custom Configuration Profiles API:

SimpleMDM supports the ability to create and manage custom configuration profiles via API. Documentation for the Custom Configuration Profiles API is available here: https://api.simplemdm.com/v1#custom-configuration-profiles.