apple configurator 2 - does not cache app store app

You are not alone with this finding.

Could use:

https://www.apple.com/support/osxserver/cachingservice/

Education Customers
Support: 1-800-800-2775
Sales: 1-800-780-5009

Enterprise
1-866-752-7753

This makes it impossible to use Apple Configurator in a school environment, with a not-so-good connection. Every refresh or iPad results in every app being downloaded again. Way to wipe out the use of Apple Configurator 2 for a large number of educational institutions Apple!

You need to configure the apple caching server. You need to download and use the server version of os x. You can run it on any mac that the release of os x supports.

https://www.apple.com/support/osxserver/cachingservice/

Content types supported by the Caching service in OS X Server - Apple Support

I have found 2 workarounds to this issue:

1 - If you are using a personal Apple ID (i.e. not VPP)

• Using iTunes on the Mac, sign in with the Apple ID.
• Go to the App Store (you may need to choose "Edit Menu" to enable the Apps view).
• View your purchased apps and download them (click the download from cloud icon in each app).
• You will find the app files (.ipa) under "/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Mobile Applications" in the user home directory. You can copy them somewhere else if you wish or just reference them here.
• In Apple Configurator 2, edit the Blueprint.
• Add Apps and press the button "Choose from my Mac...".
• Go to the folder containing the apps you downloaded and add them.
• Keep in mind you will need to update the apps manually (via iTunes) if you want to use the latest one.

2 - If using the Volume Purchasing Program (VPP)

• This one is a bit trickier...
• Ensure your VPP account is set up in Apple Configurator 2.
• Create a Blueprint and add the VPP apps you want to apply.
• The first time, apply the Blueprint to a phone (the apps will all download directly from Apple).
• When the apps are complete, you can find the individual apps (.ipa files) under; "/Library/Group Containers/K36BKF7T3D.group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Assets/Tempor aryItems/MobileApps/<somelongidstring>/<a_folder_per_app>"
• Copy the individual apps (just the .ipa files) to another location.
• Create a new Blueprint.
• Add Apps and press the button "Choose from my Mac...".
• Go to the folder containing the apps you copied and add them.
• When you apple this Blueprint to a phone it will copy the apps from the Mac, but we are not done! The apps will not launch on the phone because the VPP license has not yet been assigned to the device.
• Using the first Blueprint you created (apps are applied from the App Store), apply this to the phone. Watch as the Blueprint applies and you will see licenses being assigned.
• Once the Blueprint starts to download apps you can just keep hitting "Cancel" until it stops. At this point the licenses have been applied and that is all we need.
• Disconnect the phone.
• It is tedious but it works and can save time over a slow connection.

I hope that helps someone!

This line was very helpful! when creating blueprint.

Add Apps and press the button "Choose from my Mac...".

Without setting up any additional "Cache Server" I could apply blueprint without everytime downloading.

Thank you very much!

Glad to help!