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Managed App Configuration

MDM-managed devices can deliver Managed App Configuration values to apps. These settings are surfaced through UserDefaults under com.apple.configuration.managed. AutoMobile should behave predictably when managed configuration is present.

Scope

  • MDM-managed devices and policies
  • Managed App Configuration payloads
  • Simulator limitations vs physical device behavior

Managed App Configuration

Managed App Config is delivered by MDM and read by apps at runtime. It can:

  • Change app behavior based on enterprise policy
  • Toggle features or endpoints
  • Inject environment-specific values

AutoMobile considerations:

  • Support reading managed configuration values when the app exposes them for automation.
  • Provide guidance for test apps to surface managed config state in UI where needed.
  • Avoid assumptions about defaults when managed config is present.

MDM policy effects

MDM policies can affect automation flows:

  • App install restrictions
  • App launch policies and per-app VPN
  • Network access limitations
  • Restrictions on data sharing

AutoMobile considerations:

  • Detect and surface policy-related errors when install/launch fails.
  • Provide troubleshooting guidance for profile-caused failures.
  • Track which policies are active when tests run (if observable).

Simulator vs Device

  • Simulators do not fully emulate MDM or managed configuration policies.
  • Physical devices are required to validate Managed App Config behavior.
  • Test plans should document when a scenario requires a managed device.

Limitations

  • Access to MDM state is limited without device-side instrumentation.
  • Policies vary by organization and MDM vendor.

See also