There are three main ways to get an application installed onto an iOS device. The most common way will be to install applications on devices directly from the iOS App Store, or if your organisation has developed their own application in-house or through a developer you can deploy this as an internal application.

Once the application is added to the Workspace ONE UEM Console it is will be available to install by end users. All pretty straight forward however there is more ways can we make this process even easier.

Those with a keen eye (or like to proofread my work) may have noticed that I said there are three ways. The third way is using the Apple Volume Purchase Program. This is where you can purchase app licenses in bulk and have them install on end user devices. When we mention “purchase” this also extends to free applications. The reason why this is useful is because with VPP you can now install applications without needing to enter an AppleID on the device (called device based assignment). So, you can install all apps, including free ones, with no user intervention!

Workspace ONE UEM can also go a step further here with Application Configuration. This allows administrators to pre-populate application configuration in the Console so that when the app is installed on the device it is automatically configured. These settings could be email address, server address or turning application functionality on or off.

The application needs to support this with the developer needing to code this into the app when being developed but have a look at the AppConfig.org website or reach out to the application developer for more information.

Lets now look at how we can add some applications to your Workspace ONE UEM Console.

To add an iOS App from the App Store we need to go to Apps & Books -> Native -> Public

If you now click on ADD APPLICATION you’ll be asked what OS you want to add an app for. Select Apple iOS from the Dropdown and enter a name for the app you want to search for.

Your search results will now appear.
 
If you press the SELECT button you’ll continue on to add the app to the Console.
It will bring in some basic information about the application like the icon etc.
Press SAVE & ASSIGN to configure and assign it to a Smart Group. Press ADD ASSIGNMENT now.
You can see here I left this as On-Demand meaning the user will need to install this themselves from the App Catalog. I also assigned it to the ‘All Devices’ smart group but you could be as granular as you like.
 Now below you’ll see I added some application configuration. I enabled Application Configuration and added a Configuration Key. I happened to know what this key/value pair was but this is how you configure the Server Address for Salesforce as an example.

 Once you now press add this will add the Application to the Catalog.
Volume Purchase Program applications are very much the same process. The only difference is how you purchase the apps (you do this in Apple Business Manager) and once VPP is configured in your Console it will automatically sync the application entitlements in.
To see the apps you’ve purchased go to Apps & Books -> Native -> Purchased
Once they show up in this Console, configuring and assigning the applications are the same process.
Adding Internal Applications also follow a similar process – you need to upload your internally developed ipa file to the Console through the ‘internal’ tab. Then, you can just configure and deploy as the other methods.