iOS and iPadOS: Device Configuration and App Management
Core concepts
Understand the iOS/iPadOS Settings hierarchy, the distinction between device-level and per-app settings, and how iCloud vs. on-device storage works. Know App Store distribution, Managed App Configuration, and how MDM installs apps (including Volume Purchasing / Apps and Books). Be clear on Supervised vs. unsupervised devices and what supervision unlocks (e.g., restricting certain settings, silent app installs, non-removable MDM profiles).
Know Activation Lock, Find My, and how they interact with device wipe and re-enrollment. Understand Software Update behavior, including deferred updates via MDM, and Rapid Security Response. Understand Focus, Screen Time, and per-app permission prompts (camera, location, tracking). For iPadOS, know Stage Manager, multitasking, and external display behavior.
Traps
Questions conflate erasing a device with removing an MDM profile - a supervised device can be re-enrolled, but Activation Lock can block reuse if Find My wasn't disabled. Another trap: assuming unsupervised devices allow silent app installs (they don't). Don't confuse Managed Open In with general document sharing.
Rule of thumb
If a capability is described as "silent," "non-removable," or "restricted without user consent," assume the device must be supervised.
Worked example
A fleet needs apps pushed without user prompts. Unsupervised devices prompt for installs; only supervised devices with MDM accept silent managed app installation.