Anyone using Google Workspace as an MDM to manage their iPads?

[TwistedHelixis]

Just noticed Google have updated their iPad MDM integration and wondered if anyone is using Google Workspace as an MDM to manage their iPads?

[Giblets2]

I want to know this too.

[tomviv]

I’d also like to know this. I have been having some issues setting it up and wondered whether anyone has successfully done it?

[Mrpower]

I have managed to get the Google Workspace MDM working on our iPads / staff devices. What I mean is, it kinda yes and kinda no. It requires the Google device manager app and the apple push certificate. I have tried to change the restrictions on a single iPad as a test but I did not seem to work. maybe I need to look into to it further or find a how too. Edited January 6, 2022 by Mrpower

[lexicomnz]

I have managed to get the Google Workspace MDM working on our iPads / staff devices. What I mean is, it kinda yes and kinda no. It requires the Google device manager app and the apple push certificate. I have tried to change the restrictions on a single iPad as a test but I did not seem to work. maybe I need to look into to it further or find a how too.

How did you go with this? I'm also looking into this and hoping Google is able to do some basic management of about 60 iPads.

[tomviv]

I ended up going with Mosyle as they made setup & onboarding very easy. There is a free option as well.

https://manager.mosyle.com/

[Mrpower]

The setup I managed to cobble together was more of a BYOD setup. Installing google device manager from the App Store; once installed and users login, Google device manager would push a mobile config to the iPad to manage the machine. It signed users into google related apps ( gmail, meetings, docs, calendar. etc). it was more a single user experience, rather than a multi-user experience. It seems like a good development from google, it had some promise, don't get me wrong. Your experience may differ to mine.

I have looked into it further and there seems to be a link with apple schools manager that I haven't engaged with correctly, which might give the whole experience more flexibility and more control over iPads. I also had to setup a push agreement with google and apple school manager to authenticate the pushing of the google mobile profiles to the iPads.

When it came to pushing Apps to the iPads, it was a bit limited, as it worked on web located iOS apps rather than using the Apple App Store directly. in order to push an app, like pages for example, you would do a web search in the web version of the App Store. Copy the link to the app then past the link into google mdm then the app would be push out to the devices. I have simplified the process a bit but it was almost that process. But again it did work, just a bit clunky.

[Brimstone]

It looks as though Apple and Google are getting closer as you will soon be able to use Google Workspace to create federated Managed Apple ID's in ASM.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/03/22/apples-school-business-manager-platforms-to-support-google-workspace

[LeMarchand]

It looks as though Apple and Google are getting closer

 

Google did drop the "do no evil" line .

[Mr.Ben]

It looks as though Apple and Google are getting closer as you will soon be able to use Google Workspace to create federated Managed Apple ID's in ASM.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/03/22/apples-school-business-manager-platforms-to-support-google-workspace

Can already do this from AAD to ASM as well.

[PimNextnovate]

Hi, just stumbled on your discussion from a Google search. I've done numerous Apple mobile device management roll-outs with Google Workspace's MDM. It has it's limitations (would recommend going JAMF if you want a full-blown MDM for iOS), but it's definitely a good option if you want some control at no additional costs if you're already running Google Workspace. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Have a nice day