Apple Configurator and IOS 9.0

So I have about 40 new Ipads that need to get the same apps on them and instead of plugging them in one by one, I would love to send them to push them to each device from Apple Configurator. All apps are loaded in Configurator, but now I need to get them on the Ipads. Please advise as much as you can and any help would be appreciated.


Thank you, John

iPad, iOS 9

Posted on Sep 16, 2015 11:23 AM

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14 replies

Sep 16, 2015 3:18 PM in response to first_j

Hi first_j,


Today, I tried using Apple Configurator to refresh some iPads. When I tried to refresh, it said that it didn't support iOS 9. I had to grab the .ipsw file for iOS 8.4.1 from the developer portal and restore a custom version in order for Configurator to work.


Apple Configurator 2 is iOS 9 compatible. AC2 is set to be released at the end of the month. Until then, I think I'm stuck using the old Configurator and restoring the custom 8.4.1 when refreshing iPads.


~Joe

Sep 17, 2015 7:30 AM in response to nsdjoey

Joe,


Thanks for posting. My experience with iOS9 and Configurator is a bit different.


Using OS X 10.10.5 and Configurator 1.7.2 and a previously supervised iPad (4th gen) w/Configurator and Meraki profiles installed. Configurator did Refresh and then install updated apps and profiles. I received an error that Configurator was unable to change the iPad's name. Received the same error when trying to create a backup of the Refreshed iPad:


User uploaded file


The iPad is working fine and all Profiles are, too. It does have the correct name. I just can't create a backup.

Sep 22, 2015 8:11 AM in response to first_j

In May at WWDC, Apple announced that it is completely revising the method to configure devices, update software and install apps. We are all waiting for El Capitan and Configurator 2 to drop to find out exactly how the process works. Take a look at "What's New in Managing Apple Devices" on the WWDC site. It looks like you'll still be able to manage devices w/Configurator 2 in conjunction with the server version of El Capitan.

Sep 25, 2015 6:19 PM in response to first_j

Sorry to bump this thread, I would appreciate any ideas about this problem. Our school has a 30 iPad cart with iPad 2's. We successfully upgraded them to iOS 9.01 using the Configurator 1.7.2, in Supervised mode. They seem fine and all our old apps were retained and worked (we updated the Configurator apps from the App Store before the push of iOS 9.01). All appeared to be well, but then we did a test install of a new free app from the App Store. We found that for all iPads, the Configurator reports no error and successful installation of the new app. Also the app appears in the iPad's installed list under Settings-General. But it does not appear on the iPad home screen and it cannot be found by a Spotlight search.


I've heard of apps being rendered invisible during install, but they can be found and opened in Spotlight. I've never seen the case before where they are in the installed list but can't be found on the iPad. We tried removing the app and installing again, and also with a different app, always the same result, successful install in Configurator but no app found on the iPad. Also we went back and prepared & re-supervised 1 iPad so that iOS 9 was a clean install instead of an upgrade. Then we tried the app install on that one with the same result. So it doesn't appear to be an upgrade issue. Then we also put 1 iPad in recovery mode and did a restore install directly from iTunes, then prepared and supervised, again same result.


So at this point we are stuck, we can no longer install apps but have no error message to diagnose the problem. Any thoughts? Is this a bug in iOS9 or the Configurator? This is our first time using both versions. Is there a way around it that we're not trying? We have a teacher wanting a new app and have spent 2 days on this, with no luck. Thanks in advance for any help.

Sep 28, 2015 9:07 AM in response to rgc4D

Usually there are two reasons why a AC pushed app would complete successfully but not show up on the iPads:


1. The app installed does not support the IOS version on the iPad (ex.The App is an IOS9 app but is being pushed to an non IOS9 ipad, or vice versa, an older app is being pushed to a IO9 ipad that does not support it)


2. The iPad restrictions do not allow that iPad to run said app (ex.Apps rated PG13 are blocked and app is rated PG13 (browers and other web based apps are like this)


I routinely see #2 quite a bit. App restrictions affect a lot more than you would think, but tends to be the main reason for apps not appearing.

Sep 28, 2015 10:05 AM in response to jbhnrh

Thanks, you are right about the age restrictions being the culprit, and that was caused by an expired Configurator security certificate. I had also posted this question under a new thread because I had to have them working by this morning. You can see my response there under my topic "Apps no longer visible under IOS 9" for the full solution. But thank you very much for responding, it's very much appreciated!

Oct 14, 2015 12:32 PM in response to first_j

Have you tried an MDM solution like Airwatch? That was the only thing we were able to get to work reliably for this type of thing.


We just ran into a new issue with configurator on el capitan that seems to no longer support plugging multiple devices into the host computer - it only recognizes one, where previously on earlier OS/Configurator, we could do 10 at a time. Anybody seen that yet?

Oct 14, 2015 2:16 PM in response to AgilisGroup

Usually the activation lock means the owner has requested that the device not be re-activated (in case lost or stolen), via an app such as "Find My iPhone". If you are the owner and you set the lock, you can overcome it by connecting to iTunes while logged in with the owner's account.


If a user set the lock, you could likewise connect to iTunes with the user's account. If the user is not available, you could call Apple and they will activate if you can verify ownership.


If no lock was ever set and you still get this message, it might be that the new Configurator version has created a new security certificate in the keychain of the host Mac. That certificate would not match the one you used to originally supervise the iPhone. In that case if you can still access the old certificate & Configurator, you could un-supervise the iPhone, then supervise again with the new Configurator & its new certificate.


If the old certificate is not available, then you'd probably have to prepare the device, which wipes it and re-installs iOS.

Dec 17, 2015 8:56 AM in response to first_j

Since no one seems to have answered your question STILL, you would have to put the iPads in an iPad cart or some sort of device that connects them all together.


I work at a school where we have 30 to a cart, and they all plug in via USB and then there is a main USB cord that plugs into our configuration device. There is no way to do configurations wirelessly to my knowledge.

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Apple Configurator and IOS 9.0

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