Do existing iPhones need a factory reset to enroll in Hexnode through Apple Business?Solved

Hi @noah-blake,

You do not need to factory reset existing iPhones just to manage them with Hexnode. You have two enrollment paths:

1. Direct Hexnode enrollment without factory reset:
   Users can enroll existing iPhones by opening the Hexnode enrollment URL or scanning the enrollment QR code. This installs the MDM profile without erasing the device. This keeps existing apps, data, photos, and settings intact. However, the devices will be enrolled as unsupervised devices. Unsupervised enrollment still allows basic management capabilities such as applying passcode policies, initiating supported remote actions, and managing certain device settings. However, some advanced iOS management controls require supervision.
2. Apple Business Manager enrollment with supervision:
   If you want the existing iPhones to be added to Apple Business and enrolled as supervised devices, a factory reset is required in most cases when using Apple Configurator. Apple requires the device to go through Setup Assistant again during this process. Once supervised, the device can receive advanced restrictions and zero-touch-style enrollment behavior through ABM and Hexnode.

For new purchases, the recommended approach is to have the reseller or Apple add the devices directly to your Apple Business account at the time of purchase. Those devices can then be automatically enrolled into Hexnode with supervision.

Regards,
Sienna Carter
Hexnode UEM

Thanks, that clears it up. We’ll probably enroll the existing devices directly for now and use ABM/supervised enrollment for new purchases. Then we can reset older phones only when they come back for reassignment.