From iPhone to Mac:
Manage Apple devices centrally
iPhones, iPads, and Macs are growing faster than the processes behind them. Cortado enrolls Apple devices automatically through Apple Business Manager, distributes apps and policies, and streamlines onboarding and offboarding – from startups to enterprises.
Starting point
Why Apple fleets need an MDM system
Apple devices are standard in many organizations: iPhone in the field, iPad in customer meetings, Mac at the workplace. Users expect the same smooth experience they have with personal devices – while IT still needs visibility and control.
What can still be done manually with twenty devices becomes a bottleneck at the next stage of growth: setting up each device individually, installing apps afterward, and chasing people when they leave. This is exactly where Mobile Device Management (MDM) with Cortado comes in – with Apple Business Manager as the foundation.
CHALLENGES & SOLUTION
Where organizations with Apple devices get stuck – and how Cortado solves it
Apple devices are quick to deploy, but the process is rarely clean. Cortado turns enrollment, policies, and lifecycle management into a repeatable workflow – without degrading the user experience.
Manual setup does not scale
With Apple Business Manager and Automated Device Enrollment, devices set themselves up when they are first started – including apps, policies, and accounts.
Onboarding and offboarding take too much time
New employees receive a device that is ready to use; when they leave, it can be remotely wiped, reset, and prepared for the next person.
No central overview
Devices, users, apps, OS versions, and security status are available in one dashboard – without maintaining separate spreadsheets.
Existing MDMs are too complex
A clean portal with clear policies instead of a maze of consoles: usable even without a dedicated Apple admin team.
Increasing security and compliance requirements
Encryption, passcode rules, update requirements, and compliance status can be centrally enforced and documented – including hosting in Germany.
MDM migration without disruption
We support the migration step by step: device profiles are prepared, and users notice as little of the change as possible.
Enrollment
Automated enrollment with Apple Business Manager
With Apple Business Manager (ABM), purchased devices are assigned directly to your organization. When they are first switched on, they automatically enroll with Cortado and apply your settings – without any stop in IT.
- Automated Device Enrollment for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
- App distribution through Apps and Books (VPP) without personal Apple Accounts
- Skip or define initial setup steps as needed
- Account-driven User Enrollment for personal devices
- Additional deliveries and replacement devices follow the same process
APPLE PLATFORM
iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV in one system
Cortado covers the Apple platform end to end – company-owned and personal devices, with native support for current Apple management standards.
iPhone & iPad
Policies, apps, Wi-Fi, and security profiles for iOS and iPadOS – including support for new OS features.
Go to iOS managementMac
Macs run in the same system as mobile devices: initial setup, apps, and security requirements are centrally managed.
Go to Mac managementApple TV
Apple TV is provisioned centrally like the other Apple devices: configuration, apps, Wi-Fi access, and updates all run through the same interface.
Go to tvOS managementPersonal Apple devices (BYOD)
Account-driven User Enrollment keeps work and personal data clearly separated – without access to personal data.
Go to BYOD managementTHE SOLUTION IN DETAIL
What Cortado covers for Apple devices
From the first startup to return – one workflow for the entire Apple fleet.
Automated Device Enrollment
Devices from Apple Business Manager enroll automatically when first started and are ready to use immediately.
App distribution through Apps & Books
Licenses and apps are centrally assigned, updated, and reclaimed when employees leave.
Policies & Declarative Device Management
Passcode, encryption, updates, and restrictions are applied reliably – including with Apple’s Declarative Device Management.
Lifecycle & device replacement
Onboarding, repair, replacement, and return follow a controlled process instead of being handled case by case.
Lock, locate, wipe
Lost devices can be remotely locked, located, and selectively or fully wiped.
Self-service for users
Install apps or reset a passcode – without a ticket and without waiting.
IMPLEMENTATION
Operational in three steps for day-to-day use
Connect your ABM account to Cortado and enroll your existing devices as well as devices you purchase in the future.
For each user group, define which apps, security requirements, and initial setup steps apply – as a template for all additional devices.
New devices go directly to employees and configure themselves when first started. Offboarding runs back through the same level of automation.
CUSTOMER CASE STUDIES
Apple devices in daily use
Organizations that centrally manage their iPhones and iPads with Cortado.
Paperless meeting administration with iPads – iPhones for field service
Öffentlicher SektorThe municipality of Eschenburg is digitizing meeting administration and field service with iPads, iPhones, and Cortado MDM.
iPads for classroom use at schools in Halle
BildungswesenHalle an der Saale is investing in digital schools – TRUST-Halle manages the iPads with Cortado MDM.
Mannheim parking tickets issued by iPhone
Öffentlicher SektorFrom tree counters to the social welfare office: the Mannheim city administration works digitally with iPhone and iPad – securely managed with Cortado.
WHO IT IS FOR
A fit for organizations with an Apple focus
Whether Apple-first or a mixed fleet with a high share of Apple devices – the requirements for enrollment, policies, and user experience are similar.
Startups & scale-ups
Fast growth, many new hires, and limited IT capacity – device management needs to run in the background.
Established organizations
Apple admins and digital workplace teams that want to standardize enrollment and policies.
Mixed fleets
Apple devices alongside Android – both in one platform instead of separate consoles.
Teams with high UX expectations
Management that does not slow users down: minimal friction during setup, clear separation of personal and work data.
TRUST
Award-winning and recognized
Cortado has been recognized multiple times as a Leader in Mobile Device Management and carries the Software Made in Germany and Software Made in Europe quality seals.
FAQ
Questions about Apple MDM
Do we need Apple Business Manager for Cortado?
expand_more
For automated initial setup, yes: Apple Business Manager is Apple’s free service for assigning devices and app licenses to your organization. Cortado is linked to it as the MDM server. Without ABM, devices can still be enrolled manually – but the automation advantage is lost.
How does Automated Device Enrollment work?
expand_more
When devices are purchased through a reseller or Apple, they are assigned to your ABM account. When first switched on, the device automatically enrolls with Cortado, applies policies, apps, and network profiles, and only runs the initial setup steps you want. IT never has to physically handle the device.
Can we manage iPhones, iPads, and Macs in one system?
expand_more
Yes. iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Apple TV are managed in the same interface – as are Android devices if your fleet is mixed. Policies and device groups can be differentiated by platform.
Does Cortado support Declarative Device Management?
expand_more
Yes. Cortado supports Apple’s Declarative Device Management. Devices implement requirements independently and actively report status changes instead of waiting for server queries – making management faster and more reliable.
How much effort is involved in switching from an existing MDM?
expand_more
The migration happens step by step: We map your existing policies in Cortado, test them with a pilot group, and then transfer the devices group by group. In Apple Business Manager, the MDM server is changed, and new devices run directly through Cortado.
How do we manage personal Apple devices?
expand_more
Account-driven User Enrollment manages only work apps and data. Personal photos, messages, and apps remain untouched; when the employee leaves, only work content is removed.
Roll out your Apple fleet automatically
Try Cortado MDM with no obligation – or discuss your Apple setup directly with our team.