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Insight04.05.2021

tvOS devices with VPP apps: seamless provisioning and control

Can an Apple TV be managed with Relution?

In Relution, tvOS devices can be enrolled via auto enrollment using a Device Enrollment Program (DEP) profile. Manual enrollment of Apple TVs is not possible because a browser application is required to run the manual enrollment process on the device.

Screenshot of the auto enrollment feature for tvOS devices in Relution using a DEP profile

The DEP profile defines which setup steps should be skipped during the setup of the device. The device location should always be allowed, otherwise the tvOS device cannot adjust to the correct time zone:

Screenshot of the DEP profile configuration in Relution specifying skipped setup steps and ensuring device location is enabled for correct time zone adjustment

Additionally, tvOS specific setup steps can be skipped:

Option shown in Relution to skip specific tvOS setup steps during device configuration

After successful DEP device synchronisation with the Apple School Manager, the Apple TV is displayed under auto enrollments:

List view of auto enrollments in Relution showing an Apple TV after successful DEP synchronization with Apple School Manager

Can tvOS devices be configured in Relution?

Using created guidelines for tvOS devices, configurations for Apple TVs can be defined and applied in Relution:

Step showing the creation of guidelines for configuring tvOS devices in Relution

Within a policy, tvOS specific configurations can be created:

Representation of tvOS-specific configuration options within a policy in Relution

Can AirPlay settings be pre-configured?

The "AirPlay Security" configuration defines whether devices in the same or different WiFi networks can access the Apple TV. Access can be granted via a password query or by entering a displayed code:

Configuration screen for "AirPlay Security" settings in Relution to manage device access to Apple TVs via password or displayed code

Can Apps be installed on tvOS devices with Relution?

Apps are distributed to Apple TVs via the "App Compliance" configuration. As with iOS, apps can be shown or hidden using blocklists and allowlists. Under "Required apps", public apps with VPP licences or native apps from the Relution App Store can be selected and distributed on tvOS devices on a mandatory basis:

Overview of the "App Compliance" configuration in Relution for distributing VPP and Relution App Store apps to tvOS devices
Image of the "Required Apps" configuration in Relution with an example search for "Arte" and its display in the overview

iOS Apps can also be used under tvOS. The prerequisite for this is that they are tvOS-compatible. Non-compatible apps are installed on the device, but disappear after the installation process and are not available.

Public apps without VPP licences and web links (browser) cannot be installed on tvOS devices.

Can video streaming for an Apple TV be disabled in classrooms and meeting rooms?

The device can be set to conference mode via the conference room configuration. This completely blocks video streaming and only an AirPlay connection is possible for devices to connect. A message can be set in the configuration, which appears in the AirPlay network configuration display on the Apple TV's start screen:

Screen of the conference room configuration in Relution to disable video streaming and enable AirPlay connections on Apple TVs

What options does Relution offer to restrict the use of Apple TVs?

For tvOS devices, the "Restrictions" configuration can be used to restrict system settings and define permissible age restrictions for media content:

Screen showing the "Restrictions" configuration in Relution to limit system settings and set age restrictions for media content on tvOS devices

Can WiFi networks be pre-configured for an Apple TV?

The "WiFi" configuration is used to predefine networks and make them available to the Apple TV:

Settings page for "WiFi" configuration in Relution to define networks for Apple TV devices