DEP-2025 Apple Deployment and Management Certification Exam Questions and Answers

Apple Business Manager (ABM) enables device and content management by providing a portal to enroll devices via ADE, purchase and distribute apps/books through Managed Distribution, and manage user accounts. This centralizes organizational control over Apple deployments. Personalization (option A) is user-driven, not an ABM benefit. Network performance (option C) is enhanced by content caching, not ABM. Data separation (option D) is a User Enrollment feature. TheApple Business Manager User Guidehighlights device and content management as ABM’s core benefit.

Unlisted apps require a link. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "Unlisted apps are published to the App Store but are discoverable only via a direct link, often for private distribution."

User Enrollment separates managed Keychain items. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "With User Enrollment, Keychain items associated with a Managed Apple ID are stored in a distinct cryptographic container." Options B, C, and D aren’t separated unless tied to managed apps.

Apple School Manager (ASM) is the dedicated portal for educational institutions to manage student devices, staff accounts, and content like apps and books. It supports features like Shared iPad and integration with classroom tools, tailored for education. Apple Business Manager (option A) is for businesses, not schools. Apple Configurator (option B) is a tool for manual device setup, not a management portal. There’s no standalone “Managed Apple ID portal” (option D); Managed Apple IDs are managed within ASM. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies ASM for educational device management.

Skipping the pane leaves Location Services off but adjustable. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "When the Location Services pane is skipped in Setup Assistant, it remains off by default, but users can enable it in Settings unless restricted by MDM." Option A reflects this flexibility.

Managed Distribution, available through Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, enables app license management by allowing organizations to purchase, assign, and revoke app licenses centrally. This ensures efficient use of licenses, reassignment as needed, and compliancewith licensing terms. Personalization (option A) is unrelated to distribution. Data separation (option C) is a feature of User Enrollment, not Managed Distribution. Simplified enrollment (option D) pertains to ADE, not app management. TheApple Business Manager User Guidehighlights license management as the primary benefit.

Apple Configurator for Mac resolves boot issues. TheApple Configurator User Guidestates, "If an iPad is stuck on the Apple logo, connect it to a Mac running Apple Configurator to perform a full restore." Option A doesn’t exist, and B and C don’t address this issue directly.

macOS Server features (e.g., Profile Manager, file sharing) are supported on Mac computers running macOS. While macOS Server as a standalone app was discontinued after macOS 10.13, its features were integrated into macOS itself starting with 10.14 (Mojave) and later. iPads (option A), iPhones (option B), and Apple Watches (option D) don’t support macOS Server functionality, as they run different operating systems. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies macOS requirements for these features.

To ensure Apple devices can access APNs and other Apple services (e.g., App Store, iCloud), network configurations must allow outbound traffic to Apple’s network, specifically the 17.0.0.0/8 IP block on TCP port 5223 (with 443 as a fallback). This requires adjusting firewalls or web proxies to permit this traffic, as many organizational networks restrict outbound connections. VPN access (option A) is unnecessary and impractical for all devices. SSO payloads (option B) manage authentication, not network access to Apple services. Bonjour (option D) is for local device discovery, not APNs connectivity. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideprovides these networkrequirements.

Managed Distribution requires Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) to purchase and assign apps, books, or custom content to users or devices, which are then deployed via MDM. An Apple Developer account (option A) is for custom app creation, not distribution management. User acceptance (option C) may be needed for non-supervised devices but isn’t a requirement for the feature itself. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Business Manager User Guidemandates ABM/ASM for Managed Distribution.

MDM updates the login password only. ThemacOS Security Overviewstates, "When MDM changes the password of a secure token-enabled account, only the login password is updated; the secure token remains tied to the original password unless explicitly reset." Option C is incorrect due to this separation.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage Safari settings on a device, such as disabling autofill, restricting adult content, or enforcing safe browsing. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, tailoring browser behavior to organizational needs. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to Safari management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles define the settings. The Apple Platform Deployment Guide details Safari configuration via profiles.

Apple devices come with built-in security features, such as data encryption, Secure Enclave, and passcode enforcement, which MDM solutions leverage to secure devices. These features allow MDM to enforce policies like requiring a passcode, enabling encryption, or remotely wiping a device if lost. Location Services (option A) provides geolocation data but is not a core security capability used by MDM for securing devices. Enrollment profiles (option B) are the mechanism to connect a device to MDM, not a capability that secures the device itself. TheApple Platform Security Guidehighlights how MDM utilizes these built-in features to enhance device security, making option C the correct choice.

Managed Distribution in Apple Business Manager (ABM) and Apple School Manager (ASM) enables administrators to assign apps (purchased or free) to users or devices via an MDM solution. It replaced the legacy Volume Purchase Program (VPP, option D), integrating app purchasing and distribution into ABM/ASM. Automated Device Enrollment (option A) is for device enrollment, not app assignment. User Enrollment (option C) is a BYOD enrollment type, not an app distribution feature. TheApple Business Manager User Guidedetails Managed Distribution as the mechanism for app assignment.

Unenrolling a supervised device from an MDM solution requires an administrator’s approval, typically executed by removing the MDM profile via the MDM server. For supervised devices (via ADE or Apple Configurator), users cannot remove the profile themselves, ensuring organizational control. An Apple ID (option B) isn’t required for unenrollment, though it may relate to Activation Lock. User acceptance (option C) isn’t needed for supervised devices. A wipe command (option D) may accompany unenrollment but isn’t mandatory. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideoutlines this process for supervised devices.

Kerberos is the most widely deployed authentication technology used by both Active Directory (AD) and single sign-on (SSO) systems in enterprise environments. It provides secure, ticket-based authentication, allowing users to access multiple services with a single set of credentials. AD relies on Kerberos as its default protocol, and Apple’s SSO integration with AD leverages Kerberos for seamless authentication on macOS and iOS. MSCHAPv2 (option B) is used in VPNs, not broadly in AD or SSO. OAuth (option C) and SAML (option D) are modern web-based standards, less common in traditional AD-SSO integration. TheApple Platform Security Guideconfirms Kerberos’ prevalence.

Skipping local account creation requires alternative login. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "If ADE skips local account creation, users must log in with a network account or another pre-existing account created outside Setup Assistant." Option C is incorrect as Managed Apple IDs don’t become local accounts.

802.11r enhances roaming. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidestates, "802.11r, or Fast BSS Transition, improves Wi-Fi performance by enabling faster roaming between access points, reducing authentication overhead." Option C is a QoS feature, not a standard, and A and D are unrelated.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage cellular settings on iOS/iPadOS devices, such as configuring APN settings, disabling data roaming, or restricting cellular data for specific apps. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to cellular management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles contain the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails cellular configuration via profiles.

Configuration profiles, deployed via MDM or manually, allow IT administrators to restrict apps on a device by setting policies such as blocking the App Store, preventing app removal, or allowing only specific apps (e.g., via an allow list). These profiles are highly customizable for security and compliance. Activation Lock (option A) secures device reactivation, not app restrictions. Find My (option C) and iCloud (option D) are user-focused features without app restriction capabilities. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails configuration profiles’ role in app management.

Profile Manager, a feature for creating and managing configuration profiles, is supported on Maccomputers running macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later, following the integration of macOS Server features into the OS. iPads (option A), iPhones (option B), and Apple Watches (option D) don’t host Profile Manager, though they can receive profiles from it. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies macOS as the platform for Profile Manager.

Apple Business Manager (ABM) supports the distribution of multiple app types via Managed Distribution: custom apps (developed in-house), free apps (from the App Store), and purchased apps (bought through ABM’s Apps and Books section). This flexibility allows organizations to manage all app needs within ABM, assigning them to users or devices via MDM. Options A, B, and C are all correct individually, but D encompasses them all, aligning with ABM’s comprehensive capabilities as outlined in theApple Business Manager User Guide.

The personal recovery key resets passwords. ThemacOS Security Overviewstates, "With FileVault enabled and the personal recovery key escrowed to MDM, users can use it in macOS Recovery to reset their password."

Find My requires an Apple ID (personal or Managed) to enable device tracking, remote locking, or wiping via iCloud. It’s a user-initiated feature activated in device settings, not dependent on organizational tools. An MDM solution (option A) can manage Find My settings but isn’t required to use it. Supervision (option C) enhances management but isn’t necessary for Find My. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Platform Security Guidespecifies an Apple ID as the prerequisite for Find My.

Developer assignment is required. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "To distribute Custom Apps, the app developer must assign the app to your organization’s Apple Business Manager ID."

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) requires Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) to register devices purchased from Apple or authorized resellers. These portals link devices to an MDM solution for automatic enrollment and supervision during setup. An Apple Developer account (option A) is for app development, not ADE. User acceptance (option C) isn’t needed, as ADE is automatic. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidemandates ABM/ASM for ADE.

In Apple Business Manager (ABM), books are assigned to users with Managed Apple Accounts, not directly to devices. This allows users to access books across multiple devices linked to their account. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "Books can be assigned to users with Managed Apple Accounts. Once assigned, users can access these books on any device where they’re signed in with their Managed Apple Account." Options A, B, and D are incorrect because assignment is user-centric, not device-specific, though Macs can access books via the user’s account.

WPA2 Enterprise networks utilize individual user credentials (e.g., username and password) or device- and/or user-based certificates for authentication, typically via protocols like EAP-TLS or PEAP, integrated with a RADIUS server. This provides granular control over network access, ideal for organizational settings. A provisioning network (option A) is a temporary network for device setup, not a security standard. WPA2 Personal (option B) uses a shared passphrase, lacking individual authentication. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies WPA2 Enterprise for secure, user-specific network access in managed environments.

User Enrollment, designed for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios, separates personal and managed data on a device using a cryptographic boundary. This ensures organizational policies (e.g., managed apps, email) are isolated from personal content (e.g., photos, personal apps), protecting user privacy while allowing management. Additional restrictions (option A) are a supervision feature, not User Enrollment. App license management (option B) is tied to Managed Distribution, not enrollment type. Simplified setup (option D) aligns with ADE, not User Enrollment. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidehighlights data separation as User Enrollment’s key benefit.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions provide IT administrators with the ability to manage software updates on macOS devices remotely. Through MDM, administrators can defer updates, enforce specific versions, or schedule installations, ensuring compliance and security across anorganization’s fleet. Apple Configurator (option A) is primarily for iOS/iPadOS/tvOS devices, not macOS update management. System Preferences (option C) allows individual users to manage updates locally, not administrators remotely. Terminal (option D) can script updates but lacks the centralized control of MDM. TheMDM Protocol Referencedetails MDM’s software update management capabilities for macOS.

Skipping Location Services hides it and disables it, with admin control. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "If the Location Services pane is skipped in Setup Assistant, it is hidden from the user, and the service is disabled post-enrollment. An administrator can enable it later in System Settings." Option B fits managed scenarios, unlike D which implies user control.

Content token expiration disrupts app sync. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "If the content token expires, app licenses won’t sync to the MDM solution until it’s renewed." Option B affects notifications, not apps.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage firewall settings on macOS devices, enabling or disabling the firewall, specifying allowed apps, or configuring stealth mode. These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, ensuring network security. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to firewall management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles contain the settings. Note: iOS/iPadOS devices don’t have user-configurable firewalls, so this applies to macOS. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails firewall configuration via profiles.

Upgrading macOS requires volume ownership, tied to an admin account with permissions tomodify the system volume. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "To install or upgrade macOS, the user must have volume ownership, which allows the system to authenticate the operation against the secure volume." Option B is for MDM updates, C is insufficient alone in newer macOS versions, and D is for content, not upgrades.

Preserving eSIM speeds redeployment. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "When erasing a supervised iPad, the preserveDataPlan option retains the existing eSIM, avoiding reactivation delays."

User Enrollment, designed for BYOD, requires a Managed Apple ID to separate personal and managed data on the device. The Managed Apple ID authenticates the user for organizational policies while preserving personal privacy. Automated Device Enrollment (option A) and Device Enrollment (option B) are for organization-owned devices and don’t inherently require Managed Apple IDs, though they can use them optionally. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies that User Enrollment relies on Managed Apple IDs for its functionality.

User Enrollment is designed for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios, separating personal and managed data on the device. It uses a Managed Apple ID to apply organizational policies (e.g., managed apps) while leaving personal data (e.g., photos, personal apps) untouched, leveraging a cryptographic separation. Automated Device Enrollment (option A) is for organization-owned devices with full control, not BYOD. Device Enrollment (option B) applies to organization-owned or manually enrolled devices without inherent data separation. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails User Enrollment’s privacy-focused approach for BYOD.

Apple Configurator, a macOS application, allows administrators to supervise Apple devices (iOS, iPadOS, tvOS) by connecting them via USB. Supervision enables additional restrictions and management capabilities (e.g., blocking app removal) beyond standard MDM. Apple Business Manager (option A) and Apple School Manager (option C) manage enrollment and content but don’t supervise devices directly. Managed Apple IDs (option D) are accounts, not supervision tools. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidehighlights Apple Configurator’s role in supervision.

“Only Shared Content” caches updates. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "Selecting ‘Only Shared Content’ in the Cache menu ensures the content caching server caches software and app updates, excluding iCloud data." Option D isn’t a real setting.

A managed Apple device supports only one enrollment profile to ensure single authority management. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencespecifies, "A device can only be enrolled with one MDM enrollment profile at any given time. Applying a new enrollment profile requires removing the existing one." Options A, B, and C are incorrect due to this strict limitation.

TheLock a Maccommand generates a six-digit PIN for unlocking. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "The Lock command sent via MDM locks a Mac and generates a six-digit PIN that must be entered to regain access." Option A prevents booting, B wipes the device, and D is iOS-specific.

Activation Lock is a security feature tied to a user’s Apple ID or Managed Apple ID that prevents a wiped device from being reactivated without the original credentials or organizational authorization (via MDM or ABM/ASM). It’s automatically enabled when Find My is active on a device with an Apple ID. Find My (option B) enables locating and wiping but doesn’t enforce reactivation protection alone. MDM (option C) can manage Activation Lock but isn’t the feature itself. iCloud (option D) supports Activation Lock but isn’t the feature. TheApple Platform Security Guideexplains Activation Lock’s role in theft deterrence.

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) is ideal for distributing devices to multiple users across multiple regions because it allows enrollment in an MDM solution without physically handling the devices. Devices are pre-registered in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, and upon setup, they automatically enroll in MDM, streamlining deployment at scale. Device Enrollment (option A) requires manual profile installation, impractical for large, dispersed deployments. User Enrollment (option B) is suited for BYOD, not organization-owned devices distributed widely. TheApple Platform Deployment Guiderecommends ADE for such scenarios.

Deploying macOS configuration profiles to devices requires an MDM solution, which pushes the profiles remotely via APNs to enrolled devices, ensuring centralized management. An Apple Developer account (option A) is for app development, not profile deployment. User acceptance (option C) is needed for manual installation but not for MDM deployment, especially on supervised devices. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies MDM as the standard method for deploying profiles to macOS devices.

Platform SSO syncs credentials with an IdP. ThemacOS Security Overviewstates, "Platform SSO allows users to synchronize their local Mac account password with an identity provider, providing a seamless login experience." Option B is a separate feature, C is managed via ABM, and D is unrelated to Platform SSO.

MDM manages beta enrollment. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "MDM can enroll devices in the Apple Beta Software Program by pushing a profile with beta update settings."

Profile Manager, a macOS tool, enables configuration profile creation and management, allowing IT administrators to define settings (e.g., Wi-Fi, security) for deployment via MDM or manually. This centralizes device configuration for organizations. Personalization (option A) is user-driven and often restricted by profiles. Network performance (option C) is unrelated, and data separation (option D) pertains to User Enrollment. The Apple Platform Deployment Guide highlights profile creation as Profile Manager’s primary benefit.

In Kerberos, the Ticket-Granting Ticket (TGT) is the feature that enables single sign-on (SSO). After initial authentication, the user receives a TGT from the Key Distribution Center (KDC). The TGT is then used to obtain service tickets for accessing various resources without re-authenticating, providing a seamless SSO experience. Sign in with Apple at Work & School (option A) is an Apple-specific feature, not a Kerberos component. OAuth (option B) and SAML (option D) are separate SSO protocols, not Kerberos features. TheApple Platform Security Guideexplains the TGT’s role in Kerberos SSO.

ADE enables supervision. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidestates, "Automated Device Enrollment automatically supervises devices during setup when linked to Apple Business Manager."

Activation Lock prevents reuse. ThemacOS Security Overviewstates, "Activation Lock, manageable via MDM, prevents a lost or stolen Mac from being reactivated without the owner’s credentials." Option C is iOS-specific.

Shared iPad requires an MDM solution to configure and manage the feature, enabling multiple users to log in with Managed Apple IDs or temporary sessions. The MDM applies the necessary profiles and integrates with Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager. Apple Configurator (option B) can supervise devices but isn’t required for Shared iPad setup. User acceptance (option C) isn’t needed, as it’s an administrative deployment. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidemandates MDM for Shared iPad.

Configuration profiles allow IT administrators to manage email settings on a device, preconfiguring accounts with details like server addresses, ports, and authentication (e.g., OAuth, certificates). These profiles are deployed via MDM or manually, ensuring consistent email access. Find My (option B) and iCloud (option C) are unrelated to email management. MDM (option D) delivers profiles, but the profiles define the settings. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails email configuration via profiles.