Apple Configurator 2...?

[Joanne]

Might be worth ringing them about it. Especially given the volume. For me it might be £100 or so.

 

Here we go: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202863

 

If they are unredeemed you can migrate. Redeemed = no dice.

[Pyroman]

Might be worth ringing them about it. Especially given the volume. For me it might be £100 or so.

 

Here we go: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202863

 

If they are unredeemed you can migrate. Redeemed = no dice.

 

We might be okay then because we redeemed them through Configurator 1.x. It's the line about unredeemed codes that's throwing me. To me it reads as though they all have to be redeemed through configurator 1.x before migrating or they'll be disabled. The question is then how do you get the apps back off the ipads so they can be re-distributed?

 

When signing in to the VPP account in AC2 you get this screen

Edited January 14, 2016 by Pyroman

[RichardHarvey]

Dragging this thread up, Has anyone migrated from redeemable codes in AC1.x to managed distribution in AC2? It looks as though any codes you haven't redeemed get deleted and lost forever so if we have any spare codes do I just need to get a stack of iPads and install all of the apps on all the ipads to use all the codes?

 

Once I've done the migration and all of my ipads have all of the apps how do the codes get back into AC2 so I can start with blueprints etc?

 

Cheers

 

Redemption codes to managed distribution - Migration information

Hi mate, I did the migration using this form https://www.apple.com/support/itunes/vpp-edu/

Bit of background - 17 iPads per year group - we were using AC1 in 15 bay charge and sync boxes. 3 iPads were given to staff. Imported 20 (cheaper to buy 20 through VPP) redeemable codes into AC1 for all 15 iPads and gave teaching staff a code each. Meaning 3 were left over each time.

 

Migrated to AC2 about a month ago. To test, I used a redeemable code on my personal iPad for some apps, but didn't bother with some of the others. I can confirm that I lost any I had not already redeemed after the migration. Once redeemed on an unmanaged iPad (teaching staff one) I was not able to migrate that one either - this is because they had been redeemed using another Apple ID.

 

To make it more confusing, when using AC1 we bought the apps through a VPP account examplevpp@. . . . . . but used another Apple ID to install the app, which worked fine. In Apple Configurator 2, I had to sign in to the VPP account to install the apps and make blueprints.

[Joanne]

To make it more confusing, when using AC1 we bought the apps through a VPP account examplevpp@. . . . . . but used another Apple ID to install the app, which worked fine. In Apple Configurator 2, I had to sign in to the VPP account to install the apps and make blueprints.

 

This is why I still use my other apple ID - because the apps are linked to it. I promise to go clean soon

[Pyroman]

Redemption codes to managed distribution - Migration information

Hi mate, I did the migration using this form https://www.apple.com/support/itunes/vpp-edu/

Bit of background - 17 iPads per year group - we were using AC1 in 15 bay charge and sync boxes. 3 iPads were given to staff. Imported 20 (cheaper to buy 20 through VPP) redeemable codes into AC1 for all 15 iPads and gave teaching staff a code each. Meaning 3 were left over each time.

 

Migrated to AC2 about a month ago. To test, I used a redeemable code on my personal iPad for some apps, but didn't bother with some of the others. I can confirm that I lost any I had not already redeemed after the migration. Once redeemed on an unmanaged iPad (teaching staff one) I was not able to migrate that one either - this is because they had been redeemed using another Apple ID.

 

To make it more confusing, when using AC1 we bought the apps through a VPP account examplevpp@. . . . . . but used another Apple ID to install the app, which worked fine. In Apple Configurator 2, I had to sign in to the VPP account to install the apps and make blueprints.

 

When you migrated did you have to do anything with the supervised iPads that you had the Apps installed on? Either remove the apps with AC1.x or update everything to the latest iOS or anything else? I've got 50 odd iPads and over £1k of apps and I really don't want to stuff it up!! =D. I've posted a screenshot from AC2 in a comment above and this looks like it's trying to do the migration through AC2 rather than filling out a request form. I've not dared to click Enable yet!

[RichardHarvey]

The question is then how do you get the apps back off the ipads so they can be re-distributed?

Once it's redeemed by another Apple ID (i.e. teachers account) you cannot get the code back. The app now legally belongs to the teacher, a problem that Apple are removing by only using Managed Distribution sometime in the future.

If you mean getting the app from an iPad using AC2 to give to another iPad, it's just a case of clicking 'remove', 'apps' and selecting it.

 

When you migrated did you have to do anything with the supervised iPads that you had the Apps installed on? Either remove the apps with AC1.x or update everything to the latest iOS or anything else? I've got 50 odd iPads and over £1k of apps and I really don't want to stuff it up!! =D. I've posted a screenshot from AC2 in a comment above and this looks like it's trying to do the migration through AC2 rather than filling out a request form. I've not dared to click Enable yet!

I did update the iOS and apps in AC1 first, just to be sure. I didn't take any apps off them though. To be honest, I just jumped in head first and hoped for the best. I ran through all of the setup in AC2, saying 'yes' or 'agree' to most of the stuff it asked (might have been all) - including 'enable' on the screenshot you posted. I did, however, still have to fill in the migration form, to continue managing the paid-for apps.

It all seems okay to me, but don't blame me if you lose stuff! I am going to migrate another school on Tuesday, of 60 pupil iPads and 15 teacher iPads - over £300 worth of apps too. I can write up every step I take, and let you know how that goes if you like. Let me know!

[Pyroman]

Once it's redeemed by another Apple ID (i.e. teachers account) you cannot get the code back. The app now legally belongs to the teacher, a problem that Apple are removing by only using Managed Distribution sometime in the future.

If you mean getting the app from an iPad using AC2 to give to another iPad, it's just a case of clicking 'remove', 'apps' and selecting it.

 

 

I did update the iOS and apps in AC1 first, just to be sure. I didn't take any apps off them though. To be honest, I just jumped in head first and hoped for the best. I ran through all of the setup in AC2, saying 'yes' or 'agree' to most of the stuff it asked (might have been all) - including 'enable' on the screenshot you posted. I did, however, still have to fill in the migration form, to continue managing the paid-for apps.

It all seems okay to me, but don't blame me if you lose stuff! I am going to migrate another school on Tuesday, of 60 pupil iPads and 15 teacher iPads - over £300 worth of apps too. I can write up every step I take, and let you know how that goes if you like. Let me know!

 

That's exactly the info I was after =D cheers. Feel much happier about it now. My usual approach would be the same as yours, but with it being the School's money I'm a little wary!

 

A Write up would be brilliant if you have the time.

[Brimstone]

This is why I still use my other apple ID - because the apps are linked to it. I promise to go clean soon

 

Joanne,

 

If you have not been using VPP and iTunes with a single Apple ID I'm afraid you will lose all the apps you have bought when you migrate, one of the pitfalls of trying to work around Apple's rules

[Joanne]

Joanne,

 

If you have not been using VPP and iTunes with a single Apple ID I'm afraid you will lose all the apps you have bought when you migrate, one of the pitfalls of trying to work around Apple's rules

 

I knows it!

[RichardHarvey]

That's exactly the info I was after =D cheers. Feel much happier about it now. My usual approach would be the same as yours, but with it being the School's money I'm a little wary!

 

A Write up would be brilliant if you have the time.

 

Not a problem, I planned to do it anyway as my boss needs to learn how to manage iPads using AC2 - and he needs step by step for most things!

[Pyroman]

One more question! When we bought and deployed the Apps in Configurator you log into the VPP with one account [email protected] to purchase the apps then you have to log into iTunes with another account [email protected] to redeem a code to import into configurator and then all apps are deployed using that [email protected] inside configurator. Is that how yours was set up and successfully migrated? I can't see any other way it could have been set up

[RichardHarvey]

One more question! When we bought and deployed the Apps in Configurator you log into the VPP with one account [email protected] to purchase the apps then you have to log into iTunes with another account [email protected] to redeem a code to import into configurator and then all apps are deployed using that [email protected] inside configurator. Is that how yours was set up and successfully migrated? I can't see any other way it could have been set up

 

Hi mate, yes that's the exact same setup I had with Configurator 1. The issue after migrating to Managed Distribution - Configurator 2 requires the VPP account [email protected] to deploy & install the apps, as this is the account you bought the apps with. Thus, making the need to redeem a code obsolete, and the extra account [email protected] also obsolete.

 

Not a problem, right? Wrong - all of the free apps you also deployed/installed in AC1 using the iTunes account will need to be re-downloaded using the VPP account, which you now use to deploy all apps in AC2. You'll need to go to VPP (as you would normally for a paid app) and search for the free app. If I remember correctly, there was no need to uninstall the apps that were linked to the iTunes account first. EDIT: To be honest, this gave me a chance for a clean up on all the apps that weren't being used!

 

It's a bit of a long-winded process for us folks from AC1 and Redemption Codes to AC2 and Managed Distribution - in the long run, I can see why Apple are doing this. For once, they are making things a bit easier for us!

Edited January 15, 2016 by RichardHarvey

[Pyroman]

Hi mate, yes that's the exact same setup I had with Configurator 1. The issue after migrating to Managed Distribution - Configurator 2 requires the VPP account [email protected] to deploy & install the apps, as this is the account you bought the apps with. Thus, making the need to redeem a code obsolete, and the extra account [email protected] also obsolete.

 

Not a problem, right? Wrong - all of the free apps you also deployed/installed in AC1 using the iTunes account will need to be re-downloaded using the VPP account, which you now use to deploy all apps in AC2. You'll need to go to VPP (as you would normally for a paid app) and search for the free app. If I remember correctly, there was no need to uninstall the apps that were linked to the iTunes account first. EDIT: To be honest, this gave me a chance for a clean up on all the apps that weren't being used!

 

It's a bit of a long-winded process for us folks from AC1 and Redemption Codes to AC2 and Managed Distribution - in the long run, I can see why Apple are doing this. For once, they are making things a bit easier for us!

 

Superb, I am now a happy man! Aye, I'd seen that about the free Apps, as you say it'll actually make life easier in the long run I think.

 

Cheers

[icemonkey]

Currently having an issue where the apps I've installed wont open, or at least they will for a second and then close.

 

All free apps, all added absolutely fine using the VPP account.

Removing the restrictions profile allows the apps to work, adding it back stops them.

Shame they haven't made it easy and put a "Restrict the use of apps" option.

 

Has anyone ever had this issue?

[Joanne]

No. Check that you haven't got something like single app mode enabled or something. Just check them all [the settings] twice. Should only take 20 minutes or so.

[RichardHarvey]

Currently having an issue where the apps I've installed wont open, or at least they will for a second and then close.

 

All free apps, all added absolutely fine using the VPP account.

Removing the restrictions profile allows the apps to work, adding it back stops them.

Shame they haven't made it easy and put a "Restrict the use of apps" option.

 

Has anyone ever had this issue?

 

I've had this happen with some apps, but never all at once. I had it with Morfo Face Booth (paid for using VPP) - I did an update on the app through configurator and then it worked fine after that. Also, it happened with the Chrome app - I found that this was because the Chrome app is considered an 18+ app and my Restrictions Profile was set so that those apps were blocked. I assume you are having a similar issue, as you've said removing restrictions seems to make them work.

 

Strange, as in AC1 Chrome would install, but just wouldn't even be visible to the end user of the iPad. Whereas in AC2, it's visible but closes immediately like you say.

 

Hope this helps!

[dry]

While this thread is nice and near the top, could anyone save me a trawl around the interwebz and tell me how to configure the timezone in AC2? Is it in blueprint settings or in the profile settings?

 

Have got almost everything else up and running the way I want it, but stuck on this final hurdle.

 

Thanks

[RichardHarvey]

While this thread is nice and near the top, could anyone save me a trawl around the interwebz and tell me how to configure the timezone in AC2? Is it in blueprint settings or in the profile settings?

 

Have got almost everything else up and running the way I want it, but stuck on this final hurdle.

 

Thanks

 

I don't think it exists (I say think, as I hope somebody will correct me!). I have had to change all of my schools 500+ iPads over 6 sites manually from Los Angeles to London time zone. Such a small thing, but so very annoying!

[qwerty94]

I believe its something to do with skipping one of the steps during initial setup, as that is the default timezone. You would need to leave it un-ticked, so you can set it on each iPad, as you set them up.

[icemonkey]

No. Check that you haven't got something like single app mode enabled or something. Just check them all [the settings] twice. Should only take 20 minutes or so.

 

Lost count of the number of times I've been through the restrictions. I'm almost at the point of taking them all off and adding them back one by one!

[icemonkey]

Sorted it, not entirely sure how but I know it involved creating an brand new config profile

[cogrady84]

Hoping for some thoughts on my current situation.

 

I have a Mac Pro server currently running my entire Mac solution, OSX Server, Profile Manager, Open Directory, Apple Configurator, VPP redemption codes. I want to move everything over to El Capitan, AC2, IOS 9 etc... but the first step would be upgrading my Mac Server to El Capitan... which is presumably going to break everything, as usual. So I was thinking about starting from scratch, getting a middle of the road spec mac mini and starting from the ground up on El Capitan, build the server infrastructure and move everything over manually, as I believe it will be a bit smoother. I'm ok with doing all of the Mac Server/Client stuff, but i'm worried about how I would go about moving between servers with my apple configurator database, vpp codes and moving from v1 to v2... what would you guys suggest? We have alot of money invested in paid apps (240 iPods / 80 iPads)

Edited February 11, 2016 by cogrady84

[Zoranp]

Once your master iPad is ready, select Backup.

Go to Blueprints and select Edit Blueprints.Click on New and highlight the new blueprint.

Double click on the new blueprint and add the apps you had already installed on your master iPad. Go back to edit blueprints page.

Go to Actions and select Prepare.

Go to Actions and select Restore from Backup.

Browse for the backup of your master iPad and click OK.

 

Go to Actions and select Modify - Wallpaper (if you are have set up one already).

 

Go to Actions and select Back Up. I haven’t tried without this option, but after applying this blueprint I would get an error message (see the image below), and I click Stop on the message and the iPad is successfully restored. I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work without it. I just don’t have time to test it out, the above steps are working fine for me.

 

Your blueprint should look like this:

I did not add a profile to the blueprint. After the iPad’s are restored, I would go to Actions - Add - Profiles.

Same blueprint can be used on different iPads. I did try on iPad 2, iPad Air and iPad 4.

[donsalvati]

Hi,

 

I too have issues with getting Configurator 2.1 to work. Looks promising from last version, and love the idea of Blueprints! but still not exactly there in terms of helping us Techs out. Instead of Backing up Masters why can't there be an option to have a template for apps and folders?

 

Anyway...the only way I have got this to work is to treat the Blueprints as a Workflow. So I now have 5 Blueprints that are Numbered and each do something different but in order.

 

Firstly I created my Master. Updated it to latest iOS, Supervised it and installed all Apps required. I then ordered them in the folders required and completed a Backup.

 

 

Then I created a Blueprints below:

 

01 - Upgrade -> here is simply target iPad, update to latest OS.

 

02 - Restore -> Here is just Restore from Backup. Adding Master backup.

 

03 - Supervise -> Here I added Prepare info. Supervised to my Organisation with what I wanted skipped.

 

04 - Rename -> Here is just renaming iPad using my naming convention. iPad-. So that number increases each time.

 

05 - Apps/Profiles -> Here is all my Apps to install, along with WiFi Profile, Wallpapers, Tags.

 

Once created I would run through each Blueprint in order. Once the loader on iPad has stopped would then go down to to the next Blueprint.

 

Once all these are complete I then manually install the Trust Profile that is from my Profile Manager and then after this is complete I install the Enrollment Profile. Add it to my iPad group so that it then picks up the Restrictions. I would imagine you could at this stage install Meraki Profile as well. Or use the MDM URL on supervision to configure this. Just that I am now moving to Profile Manager as Meraki will not support the locking down of Passcode and Wallpaper which is important I get configured.

 

Something I did notice was that it was a lot easier to install Apps from the Mac using the IPA files . The new way of using the Apple ID will be great for VPP, but I'm installing mostly free Apps. Simply download from iTunes and point configurator to pick them up from the Music Folder - iTunes - iTunes Media - Mobile Applications.

 

Obviously most of these can be done manually. But I would forget the order so wanted it set out like a workflow and in order. I tried all manor of different ways and trying to get into one BluePrint, and it would not work at all for me. This way has worked for me every time, so I am going to keep it as it is.

 

Hope this helps some people. Has taken me two days to get it to work with no errors.

Edited February 16, 2016 by donsalvati

[Brimstone]

Hi,

 

I too have issues with getting Configurator 2.1 to work. Looks promising from last version, and love the idea of Blueprints! but still not exactly there in terms of helping us Techs out. Instead of Backing up Masters why can't there be an option to have a template for apps and folders?

 

Anyway...the only way I have got this to work is to treat the Blueprints as a Workflow. So I now have 5 Blueprints that are Numbered and each do something different but in order.

 

Firstly I created my Master. Updated it to latest iOS, Supervised it and installed all Apps required. I then ordered them in the folders required and completed a Backup.

 

 

Then I created a Blueprints below:

 

01 - Upgrade -> here is simply target iPad, update to latest OS.

 

02 - Restore -> Here is just Restore from Backup. Adding Master backup.

 

03 - Supervise -> Here I added Prepare info. Supervised to my Organisation with what I wanted skipped.

 

04 - Rename -> Here is just renaming iPad using my naming convention. iPad-. So that number increases each time.

 

05 - Apps/Profiles -> Here is all my Apps to install, along with WiFi Profile, Wallpapers, Tags.

 

Once created I would run through each Blueprint in order. Once the loader on iPad has stopped would then go down to to the next Blueprint.

 

Once all these are complete I then manually install the Trust Profile that is from my Profile Manager and then after this is complete I install the Enrollment Profile. Add it to my iPad group so that it then picks up the Restrictions. I would imagine you could at this stage install Meraki Profile as well. Or use the MDM URL on supervision to configure this. Just that I am now moving to Profile Manager as Meraki will not support the locking down of Passcode and Wallpaper which is important I get configured.

 

Something I did notice was that it was a lot easier to install Apps from the Mac using the IPA files . The new way of using the Apple ID will be great for VPP, but I'm installing mostly free Apps. Simply download from iTunes and point configurator to pick them up from the Music Folder - iTunes - iTunes Media - Mobile Applications.

 

Obviously most of these can be done manually. But I would forget the order so wanted it set out like a workflow and in order. I tried all manor of different ways and trying to get into one BluePrint, and it would not work at all for me. This way has worked for me every time, so I am going to keep it as it is.

 

Hope this helps some people. Has taken me two days to get it to work with no errors.

 

You shouldn't be using iTunes IPA files with AC2, you should be buying the free apps from VPP choosing "managed distribution" why you may ask..?

 

If you download an app from iTunes, AC2 treats this as a "personal app" and requires the same Apple ID used in iTunes on each iPad as well.

 

Charles Edge has put together a complete guide to using AC2 which should answer a number of your questions...

 

Apple Configurator 2 | krypted.com