Apple DEP
Apple's zero-touch device enrolment program that pre-registers enterprise-purchased Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch devices to the customer's MDM automatically on first power-on. Now delivered through Apple Business Manager (ABM) — the ABM Device Enrolment module.
In detail
Apple DEP (Device Enrolment Program) is the mechanism by which enterprise-purchased Apple devices are pre-assigned to a customer's MDM solution at Apple's backend, so that when the end-user first powers on the device it auto-enrols into the MDM, applies the enterprise security profile, and sets up without any manual IT intervention. DEP was launched separately in 2014, then absorbed into Apple Business Manager in 2019 as ABM's Device Enrolment module. The functionality is unchanged — devices bought through an authorised Apple DPP partner get their serial numbers registered into the customer's ABM, which the MDM (Jamf, Intune, Kandji, Mosyle, Workspace ONE, Hexnode) reads to assert control. DEP enrolment cannot be removed by the end-user — it is Apple-supervised, making it the foundation of enterprise-grade Apple device management.
Key facts
- ✓Apple DEP (Device Enrolment Program) is now part of Apple Business Manager
- ✓DEP enables zero-touch MDM enrolment on first power-on
- ✓DEP enrolment cannot be removed by the end-user (Apple-supervised)
- ✓Only Apple DPP-enrolled authorised partners can register serials to DEP
- ✓DEP is the foundation of enterprise Apple device management
Who uses this
Indian IT teams running MDM-managed Apple fleets — particularly enterprises with 25+ devices where manual per-device setup becomes unworkable.
Every Apple device Adalwin ships to an enterprise customer is registered under the customer's ABM (DEP module) — with serial-level confirmation sent to the IT team. MDM handover coordination with Jamf / Intune / Kandji / Mosyle / Workspace ONE / Hexnode deployment partners is included on every Adalwin Apple order.
Common questions
Is Apple DEP still a thing in 2026?+
Yes — DEP functionality is fully active, but is delivered through Apple Business Manager's Device Enrolment module since 2019. The behaviour is identical (zero-touch MDM enrolment on first power-on, supervised mode, Apple-backed assignment) — the terminology and administration moved from a separate "DEP portal" to ABM.
What's the difference between DEP and ABM?+
ABM is the overarching enterprise portal; DEP is the device-enrolment capability within ABM. Think of ABM as the platform, DEP as the workflow for auto-registering devices to your MDM.
Can I enrol a Mac or iPhone into DEP after buying it retail?+
Generally no. DEP enrolment happens at Apple's backend when an authorised DPP partner sells the device. Retail-bought or grey-market devices cannot be retroactively DEP-enrolled. This is a key reason Indian enterprises should buy from DPP partners for any fleet order.
Related terms
Related Adalwin services
Need help with Apple DEP for your Indian team?
Adalwin Commerce™ — enrolled Apple DPP partner · pan-India delivery · compliance-grade documentation.
Talk to an Apple DPP account manager →