DEP-2025 Apple Deployment and Management Certification Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

When devices are updated using Apple Configurator with the“requires tethering”option, the host Mac acts as the source for software updates. In this model, the Mac downloads and caches update packages, which are then installed onto the connected iOS or iPadOS device. This bypasses typical over-the-air (OTA) caching mechanisms and content delivery networks. Apple specifies this workflow as beneficial when updating large numbers of devices in lab or classroom environments, where bandwidth efficiency and predictable installation are important. Thus, the cached update content resideson the host Mac, ensuring devices receive updates directly from a local source.

Apple’s MDM framework standardizes tools. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "Apple’s MDM framework provides a consistent set of APIs and management tools that all MDM vendors use to manage Apple devices." Option D supports communication, not tools.

In aUser Enrollmentscenario (BYOD), Apple ensures strict separation of work and personal data. MDM has limited authority and cannot track personal location, wipe the entire device, or alter Activation Lock. Instead, MDM can configure work-related features such asPer-App VPN(A). Apple Learning explains that this ensures organizational traffic from managed apps is routed securely without affecting personal app traffic. This preserves privacy while providing enterprise-level security. Location data and systemwide controls are unavailable to MDM on personally owned devices. Full wipe is restricted to organizationally owned devices under Automated Device Enrollment. Therefore, configuringPer-App VPNis the correct capability, as it balances enterprise data protection while respecting personal device use.

The networkQuality command tests responsiveness. ThemacOS Deployment Referencestates, "Introduced in macOS Monterey, the networkQuality command measures upload and download responsiveness, providing insight into network performance inside and outside your local network."

Skipping the pane leaves Location Services off but adjustable. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "When the Location Services pane is skipped in Setup Assistant, it remains off by default, but users can enable it in Settings unless restricted by MDM." Option A reflects this flexibility.

Post-deadline, updates install automatically. TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "If a user defers a managed software update past the MDM-enforced deadline, macOS will automatically install it to ensure compliance."

Apple Business Manager allows organizations to purchase and distributebooks(such as textbooks or reference material) using the Apps and Books section. Apple Learning states that books can only be assigned tousers, not to devices. Specifically, the users must have aManaged Apple Accountin order to receive the content. Unlike apps, which can be assigned either to users or devices, books are linked to the individual account. This ensures that digital rights management (DRM) is preserved while also protecting user access. Books cannot be assigned directly to iPhones, iPads, or Macs as standalone hardware, nor can they be tied to Shared iPad device pools. Therefore, the correct assignment criteria for books in Apple Business Manager isManaged Apple Account users.

Apple differentiates betweenUser Enrollment(for BYOD) andDevice Enrollment(for organization-owned devices). For personal devices enrolled throughUser Enrollment, MDM has limited capabilities to protect privacy. Apple Learning emphasizes that MDM cannot track personal location data, cannot wipe the entire device, and cannot disable user features like Activation Lock. However, MDM retains control over organizational data and canenforce a device passcode requirement. This ensures that managed apps and accounts are protected by encryption at rest. If the user removes the passcode, the device will become non-compliant, and organizational data may be removed. This limited but critical control balances enterprise security with personal user privacy.

A key feature to consider in an MDM solution is its ability to integrate with an organization’s existing identity provider (IdP) or directory service (e.g., Active Directory, Azure AD, or Google Workspace). This ensures seamless user authentication, leveraging single sign-on (SSO) and existing credentials, which enhances security and user experience. Support for future OS versions (option B) is important for compatibility but not specifically an authentication feature. Support for BYOD (option C) is a deployment consideration, not an authentication feature. TheApple Platform Deployment Guidehighlights IdP integration as critical for authentication in MDM deployments.

Apple’sApps and Booksprogram within Apple Business Manager (ABM) allows organizations to purchase apps and books in volume. A critical benefit is the ability totransfer licenses between locationswithin the same ABM account. Apple Learning specifies that this feature enables schools, campuses, or departments to redistribute app licenses as organizational needs evolve, without changing the overall license count. Content is not automatically assigned to user accounts; admins choose device- or user-based assignment. Both free and paid apps are available, so there is no restriction to free content. Additionally, purchasing can be delegated to roles such as Content Managers, not just administrators. The ability to move licenses across locations makes management flexible and cost-efficient, while maintaining organizational ownership of the content.

AppleConfigurator for Macis a powerful utility for provisioning and preparing iOS and iPadOS devices. According to Apple Learning, one of its key uses is toenroll devices in MDM. This can be done by preparing devices with enrollment profiles, supervising them, and optionally assigning them to Apple Business Manager for Automated Device Enrollment. Configurator cannot remotely control devices — physical access is required. OS updates are still downloaded from Apple servers, though Configurator can facilitate the restore or update process. It also does not replace iCloud backups, especially for biometric data, which is never exportable. Its central role in deployments is enabling supervision, enrollment, and assignment of devices to MDM servers. This makes Configurator essential for environments where devices are not purchased directly from authorized resellers.

In the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model with User Enrollment, users own the devices and can personalize them with their own apps and data before and after enrolling in an MDM solution. User Enrollment is designed for personal devices, offering a separation between personal and managed data while allowing user customization. BYOD, organization-owned (option B) is not a valid model, as BYOD implies user ownership. Nonpersonalized, organization-owned (option C) restricts personalization, and personally enabled, organization-owned (option D) applies to organization-owned devices, not personal ones. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideconfirms that BYOD with User Enrollment supports personalization on personal devices.

Apple Learning highlights that onlyAutomated Device Enrollment (ADE)ensures a device remains persistently managed and supervised, preventing users from manually removing the MDM profile. When ADE is configured in Apple Business Manager, the MDM profile can be marked asnon-removable, ensuring the device always checks in with MDM. This is crucial for organization-owned devices where IT must guarantee compliance and enforce policies. Account-driven and profile-driven enrollments are user-initiated, and the user can choose to remove management at any time. User Enrollment, by design, prioritizes privacy for BYOD and always allows unenrollment. Therefore, ADE is the enrollment type required when the organization needs strong, enforced management and non-removable MDM profiles.

User Enrollment limits MDM capabilities. TheiOS Deployment Referencestates, "With User Enrollment, MDM can install and configure apps, manage accounts, and apply restrictions to managed data, but it cannot access location, wipe the device, or enable Activation Lock."

Apple explains that for a device to enroll into a new MDM server through Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), it must go through the Setup Assistant workflow again. This requires the device to beerasedbefore it will attempt to re-enroll. Simply reassigning the device in Apple Business Manager does not trigger enrollment until the device is reset and Setup Assistant runs. Apple stresses that erase is necessary because ADE workflows are tied to the initial setup sequence. Remote wipe from ABM/ASM is not a feature, and Revive is a low-level restore process for Apple silicon, not for standard redeployment. Releasing devices removes them entirely from ABM. Therefore, erasing is the only required action before the device can enroll in the new MDM.

Apple devices come with built-in security features, such as data encryption, Secure Enclave, and passcode enforcement, which MDM solutions leverage to secure devices. These features allow MDM to enforce policies like requiring a passcode, enabling encryption, or remotely wiping a device if lost. Location Services (option A) provides geolocation data but is not a core security capability used by MDM for securing devices. Enrollment profiles (option B) are the mechanism to connect a device to MDM, not a capability that secures the device itself. TheApple Platform Security Guidehighlights how MDM utilizes these built-in features to enhance device security, making option C the correct choice.

Managed Distribution requires Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) to purchase and assign apps, books, or custom content to users or devices, which are then deployed via MDM. An Apple Developer account (option A) is for custom app creation, not distribution management. User acceptance (option C) may be needed for non-supervised devices but isn’t a requirement for the feature itself. A VPN configuration (option D) is unrelated. TheApple Business Manager User Guidemandates ABM/ASM for Managed Distribution.

MDM manages beta enrollment.TheMobile Device Management Protocol Referencestates, "MDM can enroll devices in the Apple Beta Software Program by pushing a profile with beta update settings."

Configuration profiles enable device customization by allowing IT administrators to define settings (e.g., Wi-Fi, VPN, security policies) tailored to organizational needs, deployed via MDM or manually. Personalization (option A) is user-driven, often restricted by profiles. Network performance (option C) is unrelated, and data separation (option D) is a User Enrollment feature. TheApple Platform Deployment Guideemphasizes customization as a key benefit of profiles.