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

Content caching reduces traffic by storing content locally. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "To maximize the effectiveness of content caching, use MDM to enforce a restriction that prevents users from disabling it on managed Macs." Option A ensures caching is active. Option B has a typo (“IoadCache” should be “loadCache”) and isn’t standard, C aids discovery but not reduction, and D increases traffic.

MDM server assignment is required for enrollment. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "For devices to automatically enroll in MDM via Apple Business Manager, they must be assigned to an MDM server. Without this assignment, enrollment will not occur during setup." Option C explains why iPhones fail to enroll while Macs succeed. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as new devices don’t need resets, approval is automatic for Apple purchases, and 5G doesn’t block enrollment.

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.

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.

Managed Distribution, available through Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), enables app and content management by allowing administrators to purchase, assign, and revoke licenses for apps and books, deployed via MDM. This ensures centralized control over organizational content. Personalization (option A) is user-driven, not a distribution benefit. Network performance (option C) is enhanced by content caching. Data separation (option D) is a User Enrollment feature. The Apple Business Manager User Guide emphasizes content management as the key benefit.

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.

TheSetRecoveryLockcommand locks the Recovery partition, restricting access to Startup Security Utility. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "The SetRecoveryLock command sets a password for the Recovery partition, restricting access to Startup Security Utility and other recovery options unless the password is provided." Option B sets a firmware password but not specifically for this utility, and C and D are invalid.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lost Mode is an MDM feature that allows administrators to lock a supervised device remotely, display a custom message, and track its location (if enabled). It requires an MDM solution to issue the command via APNs, and the device must be supervised. Find My (option B) enables user-initiated Lost Mode but isn’t required for MDM’s version. iCloud (option C) isn’t a prerequisite, though it’s often enabled. A passcode (option D) enhances security but isn’t required to activate Lost Mode. TheMDM Protocol Referenceconfirms MDM’s role in Lost Mode for supervised devices.

An enrollment profile establishes MDM control. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "An enrollment profile must be installed on a device to establish a connection with the MDM solution, enabling management." Options A, B, and D are unrelated to basic MDM enrollment.

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.

Managed apps offer flexibility. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "Managed apps can be revoked or reassigned to other users or devices via MDM." Option B is false as device assignment is possible, C is incorrect for books, and D is wrong as apps can be device-assigned.

To deploy custom apps (e.g., in-house apps developed for an organization), an Apple Developer account is required to create and sign the app using an Enterprise Developer Program or standard Developer Program account. Once signed, the app can be distributed via MDM using Managed Distribution, but the account is the prerequisite for app creation. Managed Distribution (option B) facilitates deployment but assumes the app exists, requiring the developer account first. User acceptance (option C) may be needed for installation on non-supervised devices but isn’t the core requirement. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies the need for an Apple Developer account for custom apps.

Apple Configurator is a macOS application requiring a Mac computer to run, used for supervising and configuring iOS/iPadOS/tvOS devices via USB. An MDM solution (option A) can complement it but isn’t required. User acceptance (option C) isn’t needed, as it’s an administrative tool. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. The Apple Platform Deployment Guide specifies a Mac as the platform for Apple Configurator.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) enables remote management of devices, allowing administrators to deploy profiles, push apps, enforce policies, and perform actions like wiping or locking devices over the internet via APNs. Personalization (option A) is user-driven and often limited by MDM. Network performance (option C) is enhanced by other features like content caching. Data separation (option D) is specific to User Enrollment, a subset of MDM capabilities. TheMDM Protocol Referenceemphasizes remote management as MDM’s core benefit.

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.

A Managed Apple ID is needed. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "Account-driven Device Enrollment requires a Managed Apple Account to sign in during setup, triggering MDM enrollment."

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.

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.

Declarative Device Management (DDM) reports changes proactively. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "Declarative Device Management enables devices to report state changes to MDM without polling, improving efficiency."

Configuration profiles enable device customization by allowing IT administrators to define settings (e.g., Wi-Fi, VPN, security policies) tailored to organizational needs, deployed via MDM or manually. Personalization (option A) is user-driven, often restricted by profiles. Network performance (option C) is unrelated, and data separation (option D) is a User Enrollment feature. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideemphasizes customization as a key benefit of profiles.

Administrator and People Manager roles can add Locations. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "Users with the Administrator or People Manager roles have permissions to add and manage Locations in Apple Business Manager." Option D’s “Location Manager” isn’t a standard role.

The personally enabled, organization-owned model allows organizations to assign devices to individual users while permitting those users to personalize their devices with personal apps and data. This model balances organizational control with user flexibility, often used in one-to-one deployments. BYOD, organization-owned (option A) is a contradictory term; BYOD implies user-owned devices, not organization-owned. Nonpersonalized, organization-owned (option B) devices are typically locked down for shared or specific use, with no personalization allowed. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedescribes the personally enabled model as supporting user customization under MDM management, making C the correct answer.

ADE requires devices to be assigned to an MDM server in ABM. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "For devices to automatically enroll via ADE, they must be assigned to an MDM server in Apple Business Manager. Without this assignment, the enrollment process will not initiate during setup." Options A, B, and D don’t apply as devices from Apple are auto-added, don’t need resets, and location issues don’t block enrollment without assignment.

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.

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.

To install a configuration profile on an Apple device, user acceptance is required unless the device is enrolled in an MDM solution with specific automation (e.g., Automated Device Enrollment). Configuration profiles, which contain settings or policies, are typically downloaded manually (e.g., via a website or email) and must be approved by the user through the Settings app on iOS/iPadOS or System Settings on macOS. An MDM solution (option A) can push profiles, but it’s not required for manual installation. An APNs certificate (option B) is needed for MDM communication, not profile installation itself. An ADE token (option D) is for Automated Device Enrollment, not general profile installation. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidenotes that user consent is a default step for manual profile installation.

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."

Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) provides the most control over organization-owned devicesby integrating them with an MDM solution during initial setup, without user intervention. Devices enrolled via ADE are automatically supervised, allowing restrictions like mandatory MDM enrollment and advanced policies. Device Enrollment (option B) offers control but requires manual profile installation and doesn’t inherently supervise devices unless paired with supervision tools. User Enrollment (option C) is for BYOD, offering less control to protect user privacy. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidepositions ADE as the most robust option for organization-owned devices.

Lost Mode, an MDM feature for supervised devices, allows device tracking by locking the device, displaying a custom message, and reporting its location (if Location Services are enabled). It’s a security tool for recovering lost or stolen devices. Additional restrictions (option B) are a supervision feature, not Lost Mode’s benefit. Network performance (option C) and data separation (option D) are unrelated. TheMDM Protocol Referencehighlights tracking as Lost Mode’s primary benefit.

When evaluating Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions, a critical factor to consider is the pricing structure and subscription model. Organizations must assess their budget, the number of devices to manage, and projected growth to ensure the MDM solution is cost-effective and scalable. This includes understanding per-device licensing fees, subscription tiers, and additional costs for features. While support for watchOS (option A) may be relevant for specific use cases, it’s not a universal consideration for all MDM evaluations. A device’s life cycle and trade-in value (option C) pertains to hardware management, not the MDM solution itself. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideemphasizes aligning MDM costs with organizational needs, making pricing structure a key evaluation criterion.

For Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) deployments, User Enrollment is the commonly used method. It allows users to enroll their personal devices in an MDM solution via a customized URL or portal, maintaining a separation between personal and managed data. Device Enrollment (option A) is typically for organization-owned devices, requiring more control than BYOD allows. Automated Device Enrollment (option C) is for organization-owned devices pre-registered with Apple, not BYOD. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies User Enrollment as the standard for BYOD.

Server tokens expire annually. TheApple Business Manager User Guidestates, "The MDM server token expires every 12 months and must be renewed to maintain enrollment functionality."

Bonjour enables service discovery on a LAN. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "Bonjour supports discovering services such as printers, file shares, and other resources on a local network." Options A, B, and D are unrelated to Bonjour’s function.

Content caching on a Mac improves network performance by storing frequently accessed content (e.g., app updates, iCloud data) locally, reducing internet bandwidth usage and speeding up downloads for connected devices. It doesn’t enhance security (option A), separate data (option C, a User Enrollment feature), or simplify enrollment (option D, an ADE benefit). TheApple Platform Deployment Guideemphasizes bandwidth optimization as the primary benefit of content caching.

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.

iPhones prioritize preferred networks. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "iPhone prioritizes Wi-Fi networks in this order: preferred (known) networks, private networks, then public networks."

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

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.

Content caching is a feature supported on Mac computers running macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, allowing them to cache software updates, apps, and iCloud content for other Apple devices on the network, reducing bandwidth usage. iPads (option A) and iPhones (option B) can benefit from cached content but don’t act as caching servers. Apple Watch (option D) lacks this capabilityentirely. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidespecifies macOS requirements for content caching.

Apple Push Notification service (APNs) is a critical service that Apple devices rely on for real-time notifications. Functions requiring continuous APNs access include notifications for operating-system and app updates, MDM policy enforcement (e.g., remote commands), and incoming messages (e.g., iMessage). These depend on APNs to push data to devices over ports 5223 or 443. Options A (Bonjour, caching, sharing), B (SSO, VPN, roaming), and D (tracking, backups, suggestions) involve other mechanisms like local networking or iCloud, not continuous APNs access. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidedetails APNs’ role in these functions.

The Secure Enclave validates biometric data. TheApple Platform Security Guidestates, "The Secure Enclave processes and validates data from Face ID and Touch ID sensors, ensuring secure authentication."

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

Custom apps, developed in-house and signed with an Apple Developer account, can be deployed through all three enrollment types: Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), Device Enrollment, and User Enrollment. ADE (option A) supports custom app distribution to supervised, organization-owned devices via MDM and Managed Distribution. Device Enrollment (option B) allows custom app installation on enrolled devices, supervised or not, through MDM. User Enrollment (option C) supports custom apps for BYOD, though with limited control over personal devices. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideconfirms that custom apps are compatible with all enrollment methods when paired with MDM, making D the correct answer.

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.

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.

ADE enforces OS requirements. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidestates, "When a device attempts ADE and doesn’t meet the minimum OS version specified in the MDM profile, it will download and install the required update during Setup Assistant, then resume the enrollment process automatically." Options B, C, and D don’t align with this process.

Only managed data is backed up with a Managed Apple ID. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "Under User Enrollment, an iCloud backup using a Managed Apple ID includes only data from managed apps, keeping personal data separate."

Supervision is required for Managed Lost Mode. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "Managed Lost Mode is an MDM feature available only on supervised devices, allowing administrators to lock and locate lost devices."