iOS device re-enters kiosk mode on removal attempt: remove from both Esper Console and Apple Business Manager (ABM)

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If you're trying to remove an iOS device from Esper but it keeps re-entering kiosk mode, you likely need to remove it from both the Esper Console and Apple Business Manager (ABM). This article explains why this happens and how to cleanly remove your device.

Why your device re-enters kiosk mode

When you enroll a supervised iOS device through Apple Business Manager (ABM), the device is bound to an MDM server at the ABM level. This binding exists independently of your Esper Console. If you remove the device from Esper without also releasing it from ABM, Apple's enrollment infrastructure automatically re-applies the last managed configuration — often kiosk mode — when the device detects the MDM removal or checks in with Apple's servers.

Removing the device from the Esper Console alone is not enough for ABM-supervised devices. You must complete the removal process in both places.

How to remove your iOS device

In the Esper Console, navigate to Devices & Groups and search for your device by serial number.
Select your device and click Actions → Remove Device.
Check the Erase Data option and click Continue. This ensures the MDM profile is fully cleared from the device.
Log in to Apple Business Manager at business.apple.com using your organization's ABM credentials.
Locate your device by serial number in ABM.
Release the device from the Esper server assignment, or reassign it to "None" or an unmanaged MDM slot.
If your device is physically accessible, perform a factory reset after the ABM release to clear any residual MDM profiles.

How to verify the removal was successful

The device no longer appears in your Esper Console device list.
ABM shows no active MDM server assignment for the device's serial number.
The device boots to the standard iOS setup assistant without re-applying any managed configuration.

Troubleshooting if the device still re-enters kiosk mode

The device is still in kiosk mode after removal from both Esper and ABM:

Verify the device is not enrolled in a second MDM profile (such as a legacy profile). Check ABM and any other MDM systems your organization uses.
Confirm that ABM removal was fully completed. If you don't have ABM admin access, coordinate with your Apple account administrator or Apple Business Manager owner to release the device.
If the device is offline and cannot be remotely wiped, you can follow the offline device removal procedure in the Removing iOS Devices help article.

Still need help?

If your device remains in a managed state after you've confirmed removal from both Esper and ABM, contact Esper Support. include your device serial number and confirmation that you have released the device from ABM.