Deploying and Updating Apps

SimpleMDM provides extensive support for app types, namely:

1. Public App Store apps
2. Private B2B VPP apps
3. IPA binary files

In addition, SimpleMDM supports all app licensing options, including:

1. Apple ID based app store purchases
2. VPP licenses using device based or Apple ID based assignment
3. VPP redemption codes
4. Enterprise or Ad-hoc signed apps

To deploy apps to devices, apps must first be added to the app catalog. Apps in the app catalog are then assigned to devices and device groups using app groups.

Deploying Apps To Multiple Devices

Once your apps have been added to the catalog, it's time to assign them to devices and deploy them.

You can navigate to the app assignment screen by clicking the "Apps" link on the left hand side of the screen and then selecting the "Assignment" tab. This screen shows a listing of assignment groups. Assignment groups associate apps with your devices and device groups. Assignment groups are how you push and update apps, whether manually or automatically.

The SimpleMDM App Assignment Group

If your account is new, you will only see one assignment group named "SimpleMDM". This group is a system default and is reserved for the SimpleMDM mobile app only. You can edit the devices and/or device groups that should receive the SimpleMDM mobile app.

Creating and Using Assignment Groups

You will want to create your own assignment groups to associate your apps with devices. To create an assignment group:

1. Click "Create Assignment Group"
2. Name the group something meaningful to you. Check the "Auto Deploy" box if you'd like devices to automatically receive these apps when they enroll to or are moved to the device groups you specify in this assignment group.
3. Click "Save".

Your assignment group has now been created. The next step is to assign apps, device groups, and devices to the group. You can do this by searching for and clicking on the names of apps, devices, or devices groups in the corresponding search fields and making selections.

Once you have created your assignment groups, you can push app installations and updates to your devices.

To push an app installation:

1. Click the assignment group to expand it (if it is not already).
2. Click "Actions".
3. Select "Install Apps and Media".

To push an update to the assigned apps:

1. Click the assignment group to expand it (if it is not already).
2. Click "Actions".
3. Select "Update Apps".

Deploying Apps To A Single Device

You can optionally push the assigned apps for a single device at a time. This is useful if some of the required apps have been deleted from the device and you'd like to return the device to it's correct state without affecting other devices in an app group.

To install assigned apps to an individual device:

1. Navigate to the Device Details page.
2. Click the "Actions" button in the upper right hand corner.
3. Select the "Push Assigned Apps" link.

To update a single app that is already installed on a single device:

1. Navigate to the Device Details page.
2. Click the "Apps" tab.
3. Check the boxes next to the name of the apps you want to update.
4. Click the "Actions" button in the upper right hand corner of the "Apps" section.
5. Select "Install Update".