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Insight12.07.2021

macos devices VPP apps Apple Classroom

Can student tablets be controlled via teacher MacBooks in class?

No problem with Relution. Besides iPhones and iPads, macOS devices can also be managed and configured. In addition, macOS apps can be distributed to the devices via the Volume Purchase Program (VPP).

In educational institutions and schools, macOS devices are increasingly being used and teachers are increasingly equipped with MacBooks to prepare and conduct school lessons. A key advantage is that students can control tablets by teachers via the Apple Classroom App on the MacBook. In addition, MacBook can be used as a caching server to maintain school apps and minimize download times for student tablets in the classroom.

How to add macOS devices to the Mobile Device Management of Relution?

The enrollment can be done either manually or, in the case of Device Enrollment Program (DEP) devices, via the automatic enrollment process:

Menu view in Relution with options for manual enrollment or automatic device enrollment of macOS devices via the Device Enrollment Program (DEP)

How to distribute apps on macOS devices in Relution?

App licenses for macOS can be centrally procured and distributed via a linked Apple School Manager Account and the Volume Purchase Program (VPP):

View in Relution for centralized procurement and distribution of macOS app licenses via Apple School Manager and the Volume Purchase Program (VPP)
Menu view in Relution under the "Purchased Apps" section, displaying a list of apps procured for macOS devices via Apple School Manager and the Volume Purchase Program (VPP)

Using policies, macOS apps can be distributed to teacher devices via the "App Compliance" configuration:

Relution interface with the "App Compliance" configuration in a policy to distribute macOS apps to teacher devices
View in Relution with an entry under "Executed Policy" for a sample device managed within the MDM

How can student tablets be controlled by enrolled teachers MacBooks?

After applying the policy to a macOS device, the Apple Classroom App is available to the teacher:

MacBook Pro screen with the Apple Classroom app open, which can be used to control student tablets after applying the policy to the macOS device

In order to view student tablets via the Apple Classroom App, classes must first be created in Relution:

Relution interface showing the first step in creating a class to manage student tablets via the Apple Classroom app
"Edit Class" section in Relution with options to assign a class name and add teachers and students as users

This information is then available to the teacher in the Apple Classroom App and the assigned student tablets can be controlled in class:

View of a MacBook Pro screen with the Apple Classroom app, prominently displaying "Class 4a" and allowing control of the associated tablets
MacBook Pro screen with the Apple Classroom app open, displaying the students of the sample class "Class 4a," whose tablets can be controlled