Apple Configurator 2 and restoring backups

Hi,

I read every post before posting my question. It is about licensing. Do you need to have separate app license for each device from VPP store before restoring from the "master"? A blueprint with a backup and a number of required app licenses.

Thank you.

"SPS039

Hi Zoranp3

I have followed you description but have some difficulties doing item 8.

If you mean EDIT BLUEPRINT, right click, I don't find APPLY - BACKUP."

Are you sure??? I'm sitting just in front of my macbook and have AC2.1 in front of me.

Select BLUEPRINT - EDIT BLUEPRINTS. Then right click on your blueprint (one with apps and profile), and select BACKUP. (this will backup your master ipad onto your blueprint)

________________________________________________________________________________ __________________

"Hi Zoranp3,

could you explain me what do you mean by create folders in step 6 and how to do this.

Thanks in advance, Branko"

Branko, if you don't want to have 20 icons on your multiple screens, you can always make different folders and have those apps in each folder. eg. photo apps can go to photography folder, office apps to office folder...

________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________

"MikeICT

Hi, do you first supervise your "master" device, then install the required VPP apps, create the folders and settings and finally backup the device to be restored for others? Just wondering, how do you assign paid app licenses to other devices, if it is restored from the "master".

Is it possible to combine Configurator 2 with DEP? Like restoring the "master" image to other device, then setting up the device with DEP.

Are supervised devices updated automatically or do you need user action?

Thank you for your reply."

Mike, haven't used paid apps yet, but I'm assuming it might install on first 20 iPads (if purchased only 20 licenses). AC and DEP, not sure, I don't see why you couldn't use it. It was possible with AC1.

If your master iPad is updated, then it will apply all these settings to other iPads.

________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________

"wudinna.area.schoolDid that message to supervise appear on the iPad or through Configurator? I am having the same issue: following these steps but end up with an unsupervised iPad that will not accept my Profile because it's unsupervised.

On the iPad I was prompted to accept the Profile but, when I tried, it also gave me the "unsupervised" message."

Message appears through AC. You haven't set it up properly.

________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________

"Pizzy

6) Take a backup of that iPad through Config2.

7) This is where you would normally add this 'Restore from Backup' to the same blueprint, but no matter what, I kept ending up with unsupervised."

Pizzy

Select BLUEPRINT - EDIT BLUEPRINTS. Then right click on your blueprint (one with apps and profile), and select BACKUP. (this will backup your master ipad onto your blueprint).

________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________

I think many of you are getting confused between (backup to blueprint) and normal backup.

There is nothing to RESTORE! Once you backup your master iPad onto your blueprint, you just need to apply the same blueprint to other iPads.

Cheers

Hi Wudinna -

Sorry, I didn't get an Apple message that there was feedback here. Since my message Monday night, I have successfully cloned all these iPads with exactly the same layout as my master using my workflow. Works every time. I see ZoranP3's update, and I am intrigued to try the "backup" directly to the Blueprint. Didn't know about that option.

Perhaps there is confusion over the issue many of us are having. For me, the issue is only that my iPads would get the Blueprint run on them, and it would not complete fully because the Devices were left in an unsupervised state after the restore from backup phase. The apps would install, but the profiles would not because they weren't supervised. I couldn't Supervise manually because they were already prepared.

Another question for ZoranP3 then: I am trying to wrap my brain about what Backup does when applied to the Blueprint. Are you saying that the screen should look something like this:

(or does the Setup section remain blank)? And isn't it just taking a backup of that iPad when done? How does that ensure it's supervised on completion?

Thank you for this information. Correct me, if I'm not right, but does the restore work same way as in iTunes without allowing me to use setup assistant (link devices into MDM via DEP)?

Cheers TrevWWW, your process is working for me.

Using your workflow, I have boiled it down to two sequential blueprints.

BluePrint1:

- Restore iPad (wipe it)

- Add apps

- Restore from master Backup

BluePrint2:

- Prepare device

- Rename/Wallpaper

- Add profile

It's a pity one blueprint won't allow all those actions together but it seems that AC2 doesn't let you Restore and Prepare in the same blueprint.

"Pizzy

Another question for ZoranP3 then: I am trying to wrap my brain about what Backup does when applied to the Blueprint. Are you saying that the screen

should look something like this:"

When you do the backup onto a blueprint, it will backup your iPad (as it is) eg. having folders created, changed icons, wallpaper, menu bar...

Then you just need to apply that blueprint to other iPads, and it will restore, prepare and supervise your iPads in one go. When finished, all your ipads should look exactly the same as your first iPad. I do not have mac with me right now, but it looks very similar.

________________________________________________________________________________ __________

MikeICT - when preparing an iPad, there is an option to check all boxes to for setup assistance, but doing this I don't see any purpose using AC at all.

_________________________________________________________________

wudinna.area.school

It's a pity one blueprint won't allow all those actions together but it seems that AC2 doesn't let you Restore and Prepare in the same blueprint.

I must disagree. I use only one blueprint to restore and prepare my iPads.

Cheers

From reading different posts and testing AC2, this is the workflow that is working for us.

1. Choose a master iPad and configure it to the exact specifications you would like. This includes supervision, updates, apps, folder assignments, profiles, wallpapers, device name etc. Some of this will not be saved by the backup, but you may as well get it to the finished product in case you decide to utilize the iPad in your deployment.

2. Using the master iPad, create a back up of this device. Now the only thing this seems to do, is it saves items like folder assignments, menu layout, maybe possibly even some app data like favorites for Safari, but we had nothing like this to test

3. Apply this backup to any devices you would like to mirror the master iPad's settings configuration.

4. After the restore is complete, you can now use the prepare option to supervise the device. It may be tempting to look at the device and swipe it through the initial set up to see if it actually worked. Doing so makes the device unsupervisable and must now be restored to be supervised.

5. After supervision you can now add apps, the backup folder assignments will place them in their correct folders, and profiles, which will no longer require user intevention.

Some observations:

You will most likely need to rename all your devices as they will have the same name as the master iPad.

When doing individual tasks, like renaming a device, the new configurator will actually be stopped by restrictions set on an iPad. You may need to remove restriction settings sometimes to complete certain tasks.

Hope this helps.

CCSD, your method seems to work, except for one small hangup. After everything is finished, I'm still stuck having to tap past the Wifi and Get Started screens. The wifi profile is installed, so I don't have to join the wifi, but the screen is still there.

My iPads get deployed in a K-8 school, so even a small hiccup like that can cause problems for the little kids. Are you experiencing this as well, or am I missing something?

Thanks!

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth yesterday, I tried CCSD's workflow this morning and this works for me too. The key point is to NOT press anything on the Hello screen after restore of backup. I now have two blueprints, "Restore Backup & Set Name", then "Prepare and Add Apps & Profiles", to be run sequentially.

Like Jeremy above though, I do have the remaining snag that I have to go through Hello screen, OK the wireless settings and then accept my MDM settings, which kinda defeats the purpose of preconfiguring them, if there's still a first run. However, after reading all the other attempts made, it looks like this is the closest possible at the moment. I've only got sixteen to do here, so it's not the end of the world, just irritating.

Happy to hear if anyone has managed to get past the first run sequence doing it this way!

Dave.

CCSD, after applying the backup of 'backed up master iPad, the device will be unsupervised. When supervising the device, it will wipe everything off (inc. backup from the master ipad).

I do not see any point doing the same job twice.

I might be wrong, it maybe works for you, but with my method (it might not work for others), I just apply one blueprint and it does everything else. Supervises the ipads, applies profile, apps and folders, no need to go through Hello screen.

As long the master ipad is backed up onto the blueprint, there is no need to go to multiple process of setting up the ipads.

Cheers

It seems this new config 2 has a number of issues depending on how many customisations you need to make. It’s a real shame you can restore, prepare and then apply the various configs in one go.

Following the thread I have been able to get this working to a point but if you have profiles that restrict password changes or name changes etc you seem to need multiple steps as the profiles you apply take preference over changes you make in the console !! ie changing names etc.. A password policy to stop people changing the password also stops the initial password being set on a new iPad which is very annoying.

I can restore a backup within a blueprint (with config for folders etc) but as earlier posts mention you then need to prepare as a 2nd step (blueprint including some profiles). For some custom iPads I also had to use a 3rd step (blueprint) after running through the initial setup assistant to set a profile that severely locks down the iPad.

Zoranp3 - As far as I can see selecting "backup" on a blueprint will when applied to another iPad only result in that new iPad backing up to "Apple Configurator 2" so that is not going to be much use,.

Has anyone been able to restore from a backup and prepare in one blueprint?

3 important informations :

#1 Zoranp3 : I confirm that selecting action -> backup on a blueprint will result in backuping the iPad when you apply the blueprint on it. Useless for me.

#2 Difference with Apple Config 1 :

- You cannot restore a supervised Backup ! There's no way, I think I tried all the different possibilities.

- You will need to prepare and supervise an iPad after restoring.

- The "Prepare & Supervise" operation takes only a few seconds, and DO NOT wipe the iPad.

- You cannot keep the iPad name when restoring, except if you base your iPad Name on the serial For Example.

#3 Bug with iOS 9.1 : We had the same bug on iPad 2 in the beginning of iOS 8 ! When you restore a backup, you still have to validate a WiFi network and the Terms & Conditions for iOS before accessing the "Desktop" icons. We also have a bunch of iPad Air 1 and they are not affected by this bug.

So Far, here is my recipe :

What I used to do with Apple Configurator 1 :

-> Connect an iPad Rack (48 units all supervised)

-> Restore a backup in the Supervision section.

-> Apply "lock-in" Safari.

What I "try" to do with Apple Configurator 2 :

--> Connect an iPad Rack (48 units all supervised or not)

--> Restore a backup via a BluePrint (if the iPad is prepared or supervised, AC will ask to wipe the iPad first)

--> with 48 iPads... impossible in one shot ! Errors, always.... Have to do it with a small group of iPad (~ 6 or 7).

--> Prepare & Supervise & Rename via another BluePrint (the rename is based on the serial number)

--> Lock in Safari via another BluePrint (because I don't need to apply this lock on all my iPads)

2 hopes for the future :

--> iOS 9.1 Bug resolution

--> AC enhancements to handle 48 iPads restore at once !

To be continued ....

GS.

PS : Sorry not completely fluent in english 🙂

"fcbonn

Zoranp3 - As far as I can see selecting "backup" on a blueprint will when applied to another iPad only result in that new iPad backing up to "Apple Configurator 2" so that is not going to be much use,.

Has anyone been able to restore from a backup and prepare in one blueprint?"

________________________________________________________________________________ __

what do you mean by "only result in that new iPad backing up to "Apple Configurator 2" ???

For how many times I have to repeat myself?! Backing up master ipad on your blueprint will backup you ipad as it is. There is a massive difference between backup ipad onto a blueprint (right click on blueprint, select backup), and backing up ipad with AC2 (by selected Backup from the main menu).

"Has anyone been able to restore from a backup and prepare in one blueprint?""

What I've been explaining in the last few posts???

YES!!!! My blueprint has profile, apps and backup of my master ipad with presetup folders. I just have to apply this same blueprint to other ipad devices and they all will look same as my master iPad.

"Slater0013

I confirm that selecting action -> backup on a blueprint will result in backuping the iPad when you apply the blueprint on it. Useless for me."

Slater, don't you want to have at least 10 ipads to look same, with restrictions, preinstalled apps, organised folders???

- You cannot restore a supervised Backup ! There's no way, - DISAGREE!!! I just cannot repeat myself anymore!

Zoranp3, I think we need to make a video of it 🙂

First / iOS 9.1 bug --> if you force reboot the iPad2, then you don't have the Hello Screen anymore ! But you have to do this after each backup restore. Hope iOS 9.1.1 fix that ! iPad2 Specific (at least) !

> Slater, don't you want to have at least 10 ipads to look same, with restrictions, preinstalled apps, organised folders???

I used to do this for 350 iPads with Apple Configurator 1, and I am trying to do the same with AC2.

Believe me, I tried to reproduce your steps ! Just a few screenshots :

Step 1 : Prepare an iPad from scratch and Supervise it :

French version : Ipad Air iOS 9.1 supervised (Oui means Yes)

Step 2 : Create a blueprint with profiles et and apps (only profiles in my example below)

Apply this BluePrint to my master iPad ! Checked on the iPad : Settings -> Profiles, here they are !

Create folders on the iPad, moving icons: OK.

Step : "Backup in BluePrint"

French : Sauvegarder means Backup.

If I look in the details :

French : Device -> Advanced Options -> Create Backup.

Optional Step you do not mention explicitely, but necessary in my opinion : Apply the blue print on my "Ipad Model".

When I check in the Preferences -> Backups :

I just blanked out the backups that correspond to my personal iPhones/iPads. But you can see the backup linked to to the "iPad Model".

Now let's take another blanked iPad, and apply my blueprint on it !

Error : The device cannot be backed up when the Settings wizard is on... Sorry for the translate...

What I understand so far : The BluePrint is trying to take/create/make a backup and is NOT trying to restore anything ! And that make sense, the blue print action is to Create a backup !

If you do something diferent at this point...

GS

OH no. The only person that knows how to do this won't repeat himself any more 😟

I hope they can sort this out though, got far too many devices to setup very soon.