Q: Apple Configurator 2 and restoring backups

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?"

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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.

Slater0013, definitely will have to make video

This is correct!

When you open up your blueprint, and click on info do you see backed up ipad there on the list?

I don't have macbook with me right now to see it.

If time allows me, I'll probably next week create a new image for our library and will try to record every single step.

fcbonn - no need for sarcasm! I'm trying to help, as I was in the same shoes as most of you still are. I don't know is anybody reading this from the page 1 or not, but everything is explained there.

Cheers

My apology to all of you! I should've gone through my notes earlier.

To backup you 'master' iPad onto a blueprint you have to follow these steps:

1. Select 'Backup', the orange circle.

2. Edit Blueprints

3. Right click on a blueprint and select 'Restore from Backup'.

4. Select your backup and choose 'Restore'.

It should look like this:

When you apply your blueprint to other iPad, it will look exactly the same as your master iPad.

Cheers

Do you not need to have apps in that blueprint?  Only the backup?  All the apps will come down to the new iPad?

dmuels77

Do you not need to have apps in that blueprint?  Only the backup?  All the apps will come down to the new iPad?

________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________

My first blueprint had everything, apps, profile and master iPad image.

Since I've upgraded to ver. 2.1 having issues with apps.

The screenshots above only have the master iPad image, as I'm testing something else. Trying to combine Meraki and AC.

Yes you do need to have apps in your blueprint, but you have to make sure you have purchased on your VPP enough licenses. eg. Google Chrome, if you have 15 iPads, then you have to put 15 for quantities in your VPP page.

Cheers

I have followed the various steps as zoranp3 and I came to a different conclusion. What zoranp3 describes, does indeed work, if you restore onto the same iPad  that you used to create the backup. It does not work on any other iPad.

I just tried it out myself with 2 iPads.

I supervised my Master iPad, installed Apps, created Folders and (the thing I always do in such tests) created a note in the Notes.app.

I created the backup of my Master iPad.

Also the new Blueprint. I added Apps, Profiles etc to the blueprint. Also the restore of my Master iPad Backup.

Now I reset both my iPads to factory settings, to have a clean start.

When I apply my blueprint to both iPads, I get the following result:

1) The first iPad (which was physically my master) restores and works flawlessly. It comes up supervised. The iPad is ready to use as expected, showing the lock screen.

2) The second iPad restores but throws an error, that installing the WiFi-Profile requires User interaction as its not supervised (error can be skipped). AC shows that this iPad is not supervised. It shows the Setup-Assistant. Apps are installed, but no Profiles.

What I can do, is now select the second iPad in Apple Configurator and supervise it using the Prepare button. This will NOT wipe the device, as it has not yet been used (Setup Assistant not done). I can then see, that my WiFi Profile did indeed not install (as it was skipped before - now it would install flawlessly, as the iPad is now supervised).

The summary is:

- The goal of restoring data (App placement in folders, also App Data) to many supervised iPads can be achieved, but not in one step

- It does matter, if you restore on the same iPad or on a different one (as a side note: if an iPad is MDM enrolled, the MDM enrollment works if restored to the same iPad while it breaks when being restored to a different iPad). Reading Apples Security Whitepaper on iOS might help understand the background. (Keybags, Backup etc.) Read here:

https://www.apple.com/euro/privacy/d/generic/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

The way to do it is to restore the backup, then supervise. As long as you do not touch the Setup Assistant, supervision wont wipe the iPad.

I added a student profile that has the wifi setting. Then while trying to add apps, I got this message:

An unexpected error has occurred with iPad. The operation couldn't be completed. Operation not permitted (NSPOSIXErrorDomain - 0x1 (1)}

Can ANYONE please tell me what I am doing wrong? I have been working on a cart of 21 iPads for weeks and found this thread and started over, but now am getting new errors.

I have had inconsistent errors throughout the time I have been trying to set these new iPads up for a classroom.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. I'm very frustrated with AC2.