5 ms·

Check out Jamf Now, it has a free tier that you can use for stuff just like this.

azinman2 5y ago
At least for VPNs, I’ve used tools that autogenerate profiles. In fact, doesn’t Apple have a separate tool to generate profiles IIRC? I guess you’re looking for the remote wipe ability? What would you do for a family member that requires a commercial service?
- brazzledazzle 5y ago
  You could also write your own profile file. It’s really just a policy file written in xml(-ish?) with a poorly documented schema. Or at least it was poorly documented several years ago.
  - easrng 5y ago
    They're PLISTs and there is documentation somewhere but it's been a year or two since I've done iOS things and I don't remember where.
- easrng 5y ago
  The tool for making profiles is Apple Configurator.
stuff4ben 5y ago
This is very interesting! I need to manage my daughters phones as well as my ex-MiL who I still do tech support for. The Verizon Smart Family stuff barely works and I'm continually having to "fix" it. Can Jamf Now also do Android?
- ec109685 5y ago
  You are a nice ex-SiL for your ex-MiL. I'd love to be able to manage my family's devices in the same way my corporate devices are managed. The built-in OS solutions aren't great (at least on iOS).
  - robocat 5y ago
    Anyelse confused by these acronyms? See https://community.babycenter.com/post/a63163060/meanings-for-dh-ds-filmil https://community.babycenter.com/post/a63163060/meanings-for...
  - RulerOf 5y ago
    I just wish I could dive into my mother's iPad and see the screen. Even a share screen button inside of FaceTime would be enough. But no... we've got to install some other app and open control center and face east and repeat the ancient incantation of "Holy one, give me the power bestowed upon only Apple Support employees..."
    - skinnymuch 5y ago
      If on iOS 14 or earlier, jailbreaking allows VNC to work. Ofc a non tech person using a jailbroken device likely wouldn’t work so well since they are all only semi-tethered. Fortunately, if on iOS 15.1 or later, FT allows screen sharing as sibling has also said.
    - jonjesbuzz 5y ago
      In iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, you can screen share inside of FaceTime.
      - RulerOf 4y ago
        I finally got to try this... it's not very good. Voice quality takes a noticeable dive when screen sharing starts, the frame rate is very poor, and the image gets stuck a lot. Better than nothing, but still pretty bad.
      - RulerOf 4y ago
        Oh wow. This is something like 10 years late. Thanks!
    - alsetmusic 5y ago
      > I just wish I could dive into my mother's iPad and see the screen. Check out Splashtop SOS for remote viewing iOS and iPad OS devices: https://www.splashtop.com/remote-access-view-iphone-ipad-ios-screens https://www.splashtop.com/remote-access-view-iphone-ipad-ios... https://apps.apple.com/us/app/splashtop-sos/id1230853703 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/splashtop-sos/id1230853703
- angulardragon03 5y ago
  Jamf Now is iOS-only, I’m afraid.
  - anderiv 5y ago
    It is not, currently using it to manage a fleet of ~75 macOS devices.
    - angulardragon03 5y ago
      Ah, true. But regarding the question I was responding to: it doesn't support Android. I've used it for macOS too :)
recuter 5y ago
They recently made a Jamf-like called Apple Business Essentials: https://www.apple.com/business/essentials/ https://www.apple.com/business/essentials/
- malyk 5y ago
  Which might have been from the Fleetsmith acquisition.
  - pilsetnieks 5y ago
    No "might" about it. On a related note, Apple sent out a notice today that they're shutting down Fleetsmith 6 months from now.
    - ganoushoreilly 5y ago
      Not surprised, we dropped them the week after apple acquired them and destroyed our processes and controls overnight. Fleetsmith pre apple was fantastic. I'm concerned that with Apple you're forced into only using App Store apps which simply doesn't work for in-house binaries and or third party tools you don't acquire through the App Store. Apple likes to do a half in half out dance without consulting with teams that use the tech. Hopefully this doesn't impact too many people.
- angulardragon03 5y ago
  ABE isn't free, sadly (and iirc you need a DUNS number). Two month trial, but then $2.99 per device. Jamf Now is at least free for the first 3 devices, then $2.00 per month per device after that. Another idea is perhaps Mosyle Business, which gives you the first 30 devices for free [1]. [1] https://business.mosyle.com/pricing https://business.mosyle.com/pricing
  - samcrawford 5y ago
    I'd second Mosyle Business. We pay for about 40 licences. It costs us very little and they provide quick support.

At least for VPNs, I’ve used tools that autogenerate profiles. In fact, doesn’t Apple have a separate tool to generate profiles IIRC? I guess you’re looking for the remote wipe ability? What would you do for a family member that requires a commercial service?

brazzledazzle 5y ago
You could also write your own profile file. It’s really just a policy file written in xml(-ish?) with a poorly documented schema. Or at least it was poorly documented several years ago.
- easrng 5y ago
  They're PLISTs and there is documentation somewhere but it's been a year or two since I've done iOS things and I don't remember where.
easrng 5y ago
The tool for making profiles is Apple Configurator.

stuff4ben 5y ago

This is very interesting! I need to manage my daughters phones as well as my ex-MiL who I still do tech support for. The Verizon Smart Family stuff barely works and I'm continually having to "fix" it. Can Jamf Now also do Android?

ec109685 5y ago
You are a nice ex-SiL for your ex-MiL. I'd love to be able to manage my family's devices in the same way my corporate devices are managed. The built-in OS solutions aren't great (at least on iOS).
- robocat 5y ago
  Anyelse confused by these acronyms? See https://community.babycenter.com/post/a63163060/meanings-for-dh-ds-filmil https://community.babycenter.com/post/a63163060/meanings-for...
- RulerOf 5y ago
  I just wish I could dive into my mother's iPad and see the screen. Even a share screen button inside of FaceTime would be enough. But no... we've got to install some other app and open control center and face east and repeat the ancient incantation of "Holy one, give me the power bestowed upon only Apple Support employees..."
  - skinnymuch 5y ago
    If on iOS 14 or earlier, jailbreaking allows VNC to work. Ofc a non tech person using a jailbroken device likely wouldn’t work so well since they are all only semi-tethered. Fortunately, if on iOS 15.1 or later, FT allows screen sharing as sibling has also said.
  - jonjesbuzz 5y ago
    In iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, you can screen share inside of FaceTime.
    - RulerOf 4y ago
      I finally got to try this... it's not very good. Voice quality takes a noticeable dive when screen sharing starts, the frame rate is very poor, and the image gets stuck a lot. Better than nothing, but still pretty bad.
    - RulerOf 4y ago
      Oh wow. This is something like 10 years late. Thanks!
  - alsetmusic 5y ago
    > I just wish I could dive into my mother's iPad and see the screen. Check out Splashtop SOS for remote viewing iOS and iPad OS devices: https://www.splashtop.com/remote-access-view-iphone-ipad-ios-screens https://www.splashtop.com/remote-access-view-iphone-ipad-ios... https://apps.apple.com/us/app/splashtop-sos/id1230853703 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/splashtop-sos/id1230853703
angulardragon03 5y ago
Jamf Now is iOS-only, I’m afraid.
- anderiv 5y ago
  It is not, currently using it to manage a fleet of ~75 macOS devices.
  - angulardragon03 5y ago
    Ah, true. But regarding the question I was responding to: it doesn't support Android. I've used it for macOS too :)

recuter 5y ago

They recently made a Jamf-like called Apple Business Essentials: https://www.apple.com/business/essentials/ https://www.apple.com/business/essentials/

malyk 5y ago
Which might have been from the Fleetsmith acquisition.
- pilsetnieks 5y ago
  No "might" about it. On a related note, Apple sent out a notice today that they're shutting down Fleetsmith 6 months from now.
  - ganoushoreilly 5y ago
    Not surprised, we dropped them the week after apple acquired them and destroyed our processes and controls overnight. Fleetsmith pre apple was fantastic. I'm concerned that with Apple you're forced into only using App Store apps which simply doesn't work for in-house binaries and or third party tools you don't acquire through the App Store. Apple likes to do a half in half out dance without consulting with teams that use the tech. Hopefully this doesn't impact too many people.
angulardragon03 5y ago
ABE isn't free, sadly (and iirc you need a DUNS number). Two month trial, but then $2.99 per device. Jamf Now is at least free for the first 3 devices, then $2.00 per month per device after that. Another idea is perhaps Mosyle Business, which gives you the first 30 devices for free [1]. [1] https://business.mosyle.com/pricing https://business.mosyle.com/pricing
- samcrawford 5y ago
  I'd second Mosyle Business. We pay for about 40 licences. It costs us very little and they provide quick support.