# Add macOS Devices to Apple Business Using Apple Configurator Learn how to **add Macs to Apple Business via Apple Configurator** on your iPhone. This guide enables you to manually add macOS devices to Apple Business or Apple School Manager (ASM), allowing for Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) regardless of where the device was purchased. Prerequisites ------------- Before you begin, ensure you meet the following requirements: - **[Apple Business](https://business.apple.com/) / [Apple School Manager (ASM)](https://school.apple.com/) Account**: You must be a registered administrator with the **Device Enrollment Manager** role. - **Supported Mac**: The Mac must have an **Apple Silicon** or **Apple T2 Security chip** and run **macOS 12.0.1 or later**. - **Supported iPhone**: An iPhone running iOS 16 or later with the **Apple Configurator** app installed. - **Hexnode Setup**: Automated Device Enrollment must be configured in your Hexnode UEM portal. - **Backup**: The Mac must be wiped during this process. Ensure all data is backed up via Time Machine or iCloud. Phase 1: Install and Configure Apple Configurator on iPhone ----------------------------------------------------------- 1. **Install App**: Download and install **Apple Configurator** from the App Store on your iPhone. 2. **Initial Setup**: Open the app and grant necessary permissions: 1. Click **OK** for Bluetooth access. 2. Click **Continue**. 3. **Sign In**: Sign in using your **Managed Apple Account** that has the required Device Enrollment Manager role. ![Sign in with Managed Apple ID in Apple Configurator app](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Sign-in-Apple-configurator.jpeg) 4. **Grant Camera Access**: Allow access to the Camera to scan the pairing code on the Mac. 5. **Configure Additional Settings**: Tap the *gear* icon to pre-configure network and MDM additional settings for the device. ### Network Configuration To ensure the Mac can connect to the internet during enrollment, choose one of the following: - **Share Network**: The Mac will automatically use the same Wi-Fi credentials as the iPhone running Apple Configurator. - **Configuration Profile**: Create a Wi-Fi or 802.1x payload configuration profile, save it to the Files app, and then configure it within Apple Configurator. ### MDM Server Assignment On iPhones running **iOS 17 and later**, you can assign the Mac directly to an MDM server during the assignment process: [ ![MDM server assignment options in the Apple configurator.](https:2024/05/Assigning-an-MDM-server-with-Apple-Configurator.jpg "Assigning an MDM server with Apple Configurator") ](https:2024/05/Assigning-an-MDM-server-with-Apple-Configurator.jpg) - **None**: The Mac is added to Apple Business but remains unassigned to an MDM server. You must manually assign it to Hexnode UEM later in the Apple Business portal. - **Default**: The Mac is automatically assigned to the default MDM server set for Mac devices in Apple Business. (*To view/change this, go to [Apple Business](https://business.apple.com/) > Management Services > Services > Default Device Assignment.*) - **Specific**: Select a specific MDM server from the list. All organization-listed MDM servers are automatically synced when you sign in with your Managed Apple Account. Phase 2: Assign macOS Devices to Apple Business ----------------------------------------------- This process requires the Mac to be at the Setup Assistant screen. 1. **Prepare the Mac for Wipe**: 1. **New Device**: If the Mac is brand new and has not been configured, skip this step. 2. **Existing Device**: You must erase all existing content and settings. Navigate to **System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings**. 2. **Run Erase Assistant**: Provide administrator credentials, review the items to be erased, and follow the on-screen prompts. Wait for the Mac to restart. 3. **Start Pairing**: When the Mac restarts and displays the **Setup Assistant** screen, launch the Apple Configurator app on your iPhone. 4. **Hold and Scan**: Hold the iPhone close to the Mac. The Mac should automatically display the assign screen. ![Image to be scanned using Apple Configurator to assign Mac to your organization](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Assign-this-Mac-ABM.jpeg) 5. **Complete Pairing**: 1. **Automatic**: Position the Mac’s pattern within the circle on the iPhone to scan the image. 2. **Manual**: If automatic pairing fails, tap **Pair Manually** on the iPhone and select **Pair Manually** on the Mac’s Setup Assistant. Enter the six-digit code that appears on the Mac into the iPhone app. ![Position the pattern in the circle using Apple Configurator to assign Mac to your organization](https:2022/01/Position-pattern-Mac.jpeg) 6. **Verify Assignment**: The device will be assigned within a few seconds. Tap the menu in the lower right corner of the iPhone app to see the list of newly assigned devices. ![Mac has been assigned to your organization](https:2022/01/Assigned-mac-ABM.jpeg) ![List of devices while tapping menu icon in Apple Configurator](https:2022/01/Device-status-in-Apple-Configurator-settings.jpg) Phase 3: Post-Assignment to Hexnode UEM --------------------------------------- If you chose the “**None**” option for MDM assignment in Phase 1, you must now assign the Mac to the Hexnode UEM server. 1. **Locate Device in Apple Business**: 1. Sign in to [Apple Business](https://business.apple.com/) or [ASM](https://school.apple.com/). 2. Navigate to **Devices**. 3. Filter the device list by **Source > Manually Added > Apple Configurator** to view your newly added Mac. 2. **Assign MDM Server:** 1. Select the required device from the list. 2. Click **Assign Device Management,** and choose the Hexnode server from the device management service dropdown. 3. Click **Continue.** [ ![Assign Hexnode UEM as the device management server in Apple Business.](https:2022/01/Add-device-management-in-Apple-Business.png) ](https:2022/01/Add-device-management-in-Apple-Business.png "Add device management in Apple Business") 3. **Sync with Hexnode UEM:** 1. Open your Hexnode UEM portal. 2. Navigate to **Enroll > All Enrollments > No-Touch > Apple Business/School Manager**. 3. Verify the device appears under Devices. If not, click **Sync with ADE** to pull the latest changes from Apple Business. What Happens at the Device End? ------------------------------- Once the Mac starts up after the assignment process, the ADE enrollment profile is immediately associated with the device. This initiates the device enrollment, and the configured settings from Hexnode UEM are deployed automatically. Troubleshooting --------------- ### 1. A Server with the Specified Hostname Could Not Be Found **Symptom**: The Mac shows the message “*A Server with the Specified Hostname Could Not Be Found*” during activation. This happens when the device cannot reach the MDM server. **Cause**: Network issues are blocking the Mac from connecting to the Hexnode UEM server. **Resolution**: Check your network connection and retry the activation. ### 2. Pairing Failure Between iPhone and Mac **Symptom:** The iPhone fails to automatically scan the Mac during Setup Assistant. **Cause:** Bluetooth or camera permissions may not be correctly enabled on the iPhone. **Resolution:** - Ensure **Bluetooth** and **Camera permissions** are granted to **Apple Configurator.** - Try **Manual Pairing** by entering the six-digit code displayed on the Mac into the iPhone app. ### 3. Device Not Appearing in Hexnode UEM After Assignment **Symptom:** The Mac is added to ABM but does not show up in Hexnode UEM. **Cause:** The ABM portal has not synced with Hexnode UEM. **Resolution:** - In Hexnode UEM, navigate to **Enroll > All Enrollments > No-Touch > Apple Business/School Manager.** - Click **Sync with ADE** to pull the latest device list. Best Practices -------------- #### Prepare Devices in Advance - Back up all data before wiping. - Confirm the Mac has Apple Silicon or a T2 Security chip and runs macOS 12.0.1 or later. #### Use the Latest iPhone and Configurator App - Ensure the iPhone runs iOS 16 or later. - Update Apple Configurator to the latest version for compatibility. #### Maintain Secure Network Access - Use a reliable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection during enrollment. - Pre-configure Wi-Fi profiles in Apple Configurator for environments with complex authentication. #### Audit Device Assignments Regularly - Periodically review ABM to ensure all manually added Macs are assigned to Hexnode UEM. - Sync ABM with Hexnode UEM after every batch of new device assignments. ### Need more help? For a comprehensive list of error codes and advanced debugging steps, please refer to our detailed troubleshooting guide: - [Common errors while enrolling in Apple Business Manager.](https://www.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/common-errors-while-enrolling-in-apple-business-manager/)