iPad Imaging/Cloning

[ehendricks]

I have about 150 iPads that I would like cloned from 2 different images. Both images have the following characteristics:

- Supervised via Configurator
- Manually enrolled, since they don't qualify for DEP
- VPP Managed App distribution (invitation sent via email and accepted, custom Apple I.D. used for downloads)
- Customized app folders, dock apps, etc.

What is the most efficient way to make a cloned image, still maintaining Supervision and app distribution? Will I need to manually enroll each device? I experimented with restoring from an iCloud backup, but that process is very time-consuming.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Emily

[ItsMe_Sean]

Easiest way I can see, is to make your first image and then make your backup of that image, then modify it again to what you need in the second image and create another backup and save it using a different name, using configurator for both, as the app with only overwrite another backup if you choose to save it with the same name.

Assuming the devices are going into end users hands, you can create a config profile that contains an email payload and pre-populate some fields using their AD credentials which are pulled during enrolment. Then send out the VPP invites using the JSS.

[blackholemac]

Consider using this post from @nsdjoe][/url to help you.

https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=7446

You can replace iTunes with Configurator if you need to. Know, learn and test this method thoroughly in your test though.
It is not officially supported, but does work from my testing and limited experience of using it for one year previously.

It is not appropriate for everyone including our environment as we decided to go with Apple ID for Students instead and use it together with Managed Distribution. You don't have to use DEP to use Apple ID for Students and Managed VPP distribution, it that is what you are worried about.

[cdenesha]

@ehendricks

- Supervised via Configurator - Manually enrolled, since they don't qualify for DEP - VPP Managed App distribution (invitation sent via email and accepted, custom Apple I.D. used for downloads) - Customized app folders, dock apps, etc.

What @Shadow_Within said is accurate, and I'll emphasize to use Configurator to take the Backup.

Although.. I don't think you mean 'manually enrolled' because they do not qualify for DEP, but 'Supervised with Configurator'. See below..

'Prepare' an iPad with Supervision, 'Don't Restore Backup'. I install the CA Certificate Payload (Trust) for the JSS and an initial WiFi profile here.

Go through the Setup Assistant, move icons around, configure Settings, add a Restrictions password..

NOTE: This method will not allow the Customized app folders if the apps will be installed later, as uninstalling the apps to take the backup forgets their locations.

In Configurator, Devices -> Back Up.

For your clones, instead of 'Don't Restore Backup' from the Prepare tab use the name of your backup.

Go immediately to the Supervise tab. I set 'Update iOS' to 'Never update device' and 'Restore' to 'Don't restore backup' IMMEDIATELY or I'll ruin a student's day by accident in the future with a Refresh. add a check to your Enrollment profile from the JSS and Apply.

A year ago the Restrictions password was not saved, but recently it has been. I don't know if Configurator now does an encrypted backup or what..