A DEP sync lets you sync iOS devices to the Esper console. It also allows for seamless migration of iOS devices between tenants or MDMs. Use DEP sync and the Esper console to quickly move your iOS devices from your development tenant to your production tenant, or from your former MDM to the Esper console.
In this article:
- Moving a Device Between Tenants or MDMs (for iOS / iPadOS 26+)
- Moving a Device from One Esper Tenant to Another (for All Esper-supported Versions)
- Moving a Device from another MDM to Esper (for iOS/iPadOS 17+)
- Moving from an MDM to Esper (for iOS/iPadOS 16 and Below)
Moving a Device Between Tenants or MDMs (for iOS / iPad 26+)
Requirements to move between MDMs without a factory reset:
- iOS 26+ / iPadOS 26+
- A device enrolled in Apple Business Manager
Before you begin:
A device user will also need to physically select the prompts to perform the migration. Ensure someone is present to complete the migration before starting.
For switching between tenants:
- When switching from one tenant to another, the iOS / iPadOS 26+ device will lose all apps. Data will persist.
- Devices will provision with a default blueprint. You can change its blueprint after provisioning and onboarding has completed.
For switching between MDMs:
- Although not required, you can create a seamless entry for the device and assign it to a blueprint. That way, when the device onboards to the console, it will provision with the apps you selected in the blueprint.
First, check if the device is successfully communicating with the tenant or MDM. You might try sending a command and checking that it successfully executes.
Then, in Apple Business Manager, assign the device to a new Esper tenant.
Then click on the Add Deadline button.
Choose the enrollment deadline for the device. Then press Continue.
In the assigning tenant, go to your profile section and click on Apple MDM Management. Then click on Sync Devices.
The device count should change. You may need to wait a few minutes.
On the device, you’ll see a new message.
Click on the Start Enrolment option. Then click on Restart.
The device will restart.
After restarting, you’ll be prompted to enrol the device. Tap Enrol this iPhone/iPad to begin the enrollment process.
The device will enrol in the new tenant. You’ll see an Enrolment Complete message once the process finishes.
The device will now be onboarded in the new tenant. Search for it by using its serial number in Devices & Groups.
Moving a Device from One Esper Tenant to Another (for All Esper-supported Versions)
Requirements:
- A device enrolled in Apple Business Manager
Search for your device in ABM.
Click on ellipsis (...) > Edit MDM Server and select Unassign this device from this MDM. Then wait a minute.
Your device is now unassigned.
Then, in your device’s previous Esper tenant, click on your profile to go to Apple MDM Management.
Click on Sync Devices. The device count should change.
Next, wait a minute and go back to ABM. Click on Edit MDM Server for that device.
Assign the device to the new Esper tenant.
The device will be assigned to the new tenant.
Wait a minute, then go to the new tenant and click on your profile to go to Apple MDM Management.
Click on Sync Devices. The device count should change.
Then, on the device, erase all content and settings. Once the device powers back on, connect it to Wi-Fi and wait for the device to enroll.
The device is now part of the tenant! To make the most of Esper, try assigning a blueprint to it.
Moving from an MDM to Esper (for iOS/iPadOS 17+)
Search for your device in ABM.
Click on Edit MDM Server and select Unassign this device from this MDM.
Your device is now unassigned.
Go to your previous MDM and perform the necessary steps to remove the device.
Next, go back to ABM. Click on Edit MDM Server for that device.
Assign the device to the Esper tenant. Then wait a minute.
Go to the new Esper tenant and click on your profile to go to Apple MDM Management.
Click on Sync Devices. The device count should change.
Then perform a factory reset on the device.
Your device is now part of your tenant.
The device is now part of the tenant! To make the most of Esper, try assigning a blueprint to it.
Moving from an MDM to Esper (for iOS/iPadOS 16 and Below)
Ensure the device is fully released from its previous MDM. Then search for your device in ABM.
Click on Release from Organization.
Then follow the steps in manual ABM provisioning to provision the device to the new organization.
Troubleshooting
The exact time it takes for devices to move between MDMs may vary. We recommend doing the following to reduce errors:
- Check the assignment history: After assigning a device to Esper, check the device's assignment history in ABM's to verify that the device move successfully.
- Restart the device: If the device's state doesn't change after moving it to a new server, try restarting the device.
- Start small: Organizations with small device counts (under 100) may see their devices move within minutes. Those with larger device counts may need to wait 30 minutes or more for the assignments to reflect properly. We recommend working in small batches to save time when doing large migrations.
- Syncing issues: If you experience sync issues, ensure you've accepted the terms and conditions in the ABM portal.