iOS apps assigned in policy not installing due to missing VPP licensesSolved

Hi @tom_wilson ,

For iOS app deployment through Hexnode, check the app entry in the Hexnode portal first. If the apps are assigned through policy but are not installing silently, one common cause is missing VPP licenses.

On iOS, apps deployed without requiring the user to sign in with an Apple ID must have licenses acquired through Apple Business or Apple School Manager. This applies even to free apps.

Try the following:

1. Sign in to Apple Business.
2. Go to Apps and Books.
3. Search for the required app.
4. Select the correct location under Assign to.
5. Enter the number of licenses needed and click Get.
6. In Hexnode, go to Admin > Apple Business/School Manager > Apple VPP.
7. Click Sync to fetch the newly acquired licenses.
8. After the sync completes, go to Manage tab, select the iOS devices, click Actions > Scanning & Monitoring and run Scan Device and Scan for Apps on the iPhone from Hexnode.

Once licenses are available and synced, the assigned apps should begin installing on the device.

Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM

So even if the app is free, it still needs to be added from Apps and Books in Apple Business before Hexnode can push it silently?

Yes. For silent installation on supervised iOS devices, Hexnode relies on Apple’s app license assignment workflow. Free apps do not require payment, but Apple Business still needs to issue licenses for them.

If the app was added directly from the public App Store without VPP licenses, users may be prompted for an Apple ID or the app may not install as expected through policy-based deployment. Acquiring the app in Apple Business Manager and syncing VPP in Hexnode makes the licenses available for assignment.

Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM