corporate apple
Apple devices are used all over the world, including by large companies and organizations that provide corporate devices to their employees.
Apple Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a remote device management tool that works like parental controls.
However, instead of parents, the administrator in this case is the head of the organization or the IT department, who remotely manages the device, installs the necessary software on it and limits the functionality of the provided gadget.
Therefore, if MDM is installed on the device, the user may not be able to access popular services, entertainment sites or paid purchases, for example, in the App Store. This is done to ensure that a student or employee, given the corporate gadget, does not distract from his main task and uses the device for its intended purpose – to study or work.
Why is it dangerous to buy a gadget with MDM?
Over time, devices with an installed MDM profile are wiped out, and some unscrupulous employees sell corporate iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs on the secondary market – in some cases, such devices are even sold brand new.
Those who want to buy equipment are fascinated by the low price of a serviceable device, but in most cases it goes wrong for them.
As a rule, the seller, before selling the device, hides the MDM profile using special programs, thanks to which the corporate computer or Apple smartphone turns into a “normal” MacBook or iPhone without any limitations in functionality.
Buyers can use the gadget for years as usual, but as soon as they perform a factory reset for some reason, the device is instantly blocked and prompts for an administrator login and password. This works the same as blocking by Apple ID, which will make it impossible to continue using the equipment.
Some traders openly warn about the presence of MDM and blocking in case of reset, but there are those who hide this fact.
How to remove MDM profile
The possibility of deleting an MDM profile exists – on average, the cost of such a service in service centers is about 5 thousand rubles.
If the user has a computer with special software, he can delete the MDM profile himself. It will “revert” only after a second factory reset. The MDM removal process itself is simple and there are many instructions on the web.
If a user is going to buy a used smartphone, tablet or Apple computer, you should definitely check if an MDM profile is installed on it. The only real check is a factory reset right in front of the vendor – if the MDM is hidden here, it will be blocked when the device reboots.
What is the benefit of buying a gadget with MDM?
The only good reason to buy a gadget with MDM is to save money.
For example, a MacBook Pro 16 on an M1 Pro chip with a 1 TB SSD in Russian retail costs 250 thousand rubles. On the trading floors you can find exactly the same laptop with MDM in new condition from 130 to 150 thousand rubles.
iPhone 12 or the latest iPhone SE with an MDM profile is already on sale for 30 and 20 thousand rubles. respectively. At the same time, similar used models cost from 35 to 25 thousand rubles. respectively. Thus, the user saves up to 50% of the initial cost by choosing a device with an MDM profile.
Is it worth it? Everyone decides for himself.
Source: Gazeta
Jackson Ruhl is a tech and sci-fi expert, who writes for “Social Bites”. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of technology and science fiction.