Getting Started with tvOS Device Management

Apple’s tvOS is the operating system powering the fourth generation and later Apple TV digital media players. Hexnode UEM offers comprehensive management capabilities for these devices, ranging from zero-touch deployment to advanced security configurations.

Below is the essential guide for getting started with tvOS device management by enrolling, managing, and securing them with Hexnode.

Enroll tvOS Devices

Effective management begins with proper enrollment. Hexnode supports multiple enrollment methods to suit your organizational needs.

• Step 1: Configure APNs Before enrolling any Apple device, you must configure the Apple Push Notification service (APNs) certificate. This certificate enables secure communication between the Hexnode MDM server and your Apple TVs.
  • Action: Ensure your APNs certificate is active before proceeding.
• Step 2: Choose an Enrollment Method Once APNs is configured, you can enroll devices using:
  • Apple Configurator: Ideal for manually preparing devices and adding them to your organization.
  • Apple Business Manager (ABM): Best for over-the-air, automated enrollment (Zero-Touch) for large deployments.

App Management

Hexnode allows IT admins to manage the entire lifecycle of applications on Apple TVs.

• Silent Installation: Distribute and install enterprise apps remotely without user intervention.
• App Removal: Efficiently remove apps or update them across a large fleet of devices simultaneously.

Kiosk Mode & Display Settings

Lock down devices for specific use cases, such as digital signage or hospitality displays.

• Single App Kiosk Mode: Restrict the Apple TV to a single application. This is ideal for lobbies or waiting areas where users should only access a specific app.
• Conference Room Display: Turn the Apple TV into a dedicated conference room display. This mode allows users to stream content via AirPlay while preventing access to other Apple TV functions. Admins can also display custom messages (e.g., Wi-Fi instructions) on the screen.

Security & Network Configuration

Secure your devices and control how they connect to the network.

• AirPlay Security: Prevent unauthorized streaming.
  • Password Protection: Set a password for AirPlay access.
  • Network Restriction: Restrict AirPlay connections to devices on the same network only.
• Wi-Fi Configuration: Deploy pre-configured Wi-Fi settings to devices to ensure they connect only to secure, authorized networks.
• Global HTTP Proxy: Route all network traffic from supervised Apple TVs through a global HTTP proxy. This protects devices from external attacks and ensures compliance with corporate web filters.
• Certificates: deploy digital identity certificates to authenticated devices for secure access to Wi-Fi, VPNs, and internal resources.

Troubleshooting Common tvOS Issues

If you encounter issues during setup or management, refer to these common troubleshooting steps.

Enrollment Failures

Issue-1: “This device has already been prepared” error in Apple Configurator.

Fix: The device might have residual data from a previous setup. You must Erase the Apple TV and try the enrollment process again.

Issue-2: Apple TV not pairing with Apple Configurator.

Fix: Ensure both the Mac running Apple Configurator and the Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Verify that the Apple TV is running tvOS 10.2 or later.

App Installation Errors

Issue: App status remains “Pending” or fails to install.

Fix:

• Check if the device is supervised (Silent install often requires supervision).
• Verify the device has a valid internet connection.
• For VPP apps, ensure you have enough licenses available in your Apple Business Manager account.

AirPlay Connectivity Problems

Issue: Users cannot see the Apple TV in their AirPlay list.

Fix: Check if the device is in Conference Room Display mode with strict restrictions. Also, verify that the “AirPlay Security” policy isn’t restricting connections to a specific network subnet that the user is not on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is an Apple Business Manager (ABM) account necessary to manage Apple TVs?

While not strictly mandatory, ABM is highly recommended. It enables Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), which simplifies the setup process and prevents users from removing the MDM profile.

Q: Can tvOS devices be configured remotely without touching them?

Yes. By using Apple Business Manager combined with Hexnode UEM, you can ship devices directly to the location and have them automatically configured upon power-up and network connection.

Q: What happens if the APNs certificate expires?

If the APNs certificate expires, the communication between Hexnode and your Apple TVs will break. You will not be able to send commands or deploy policies until you renew the certificate. Always renew the same certificate; do not generate a new one, or you will have to re-enroll all devices.

Q: Is it possible to clear the passcode on an Apple TV remotely?

Yes, Hexnode allows you to remotely clear or reset passcodes on managed Apple TVs if a device is locked or a user forgets the code.

Q: Is it possible to restrict adult content on Apple TV?

Yes. You can use the Restrictions policy in Hexnode to block explicit content, limit playback by age rating, and restrict access to the App Store.