How to Manage Apple Devices Without Apple Business Manager (2025 Guide)

Don’t have access to Apple Business Manager (ABM) but still need to manage iPhones, iPads, or Macs? You’re not alone. Whether you're an independent developer, a small business, or working around ABM limitations, there are ways to manage Apple devices without enrolling in ABM.

In this guide, we’ll break down how you can use Apple MDM or alternatives without ABM, the pros and cons, and the exact steps you can follow today.

What Is Apple Business Manager, and Why Might You Avoid It?

Apple Business Manager (ABM) is Apple’s official portal for enrolling and managing organization-owned devices. It allows for:

• Zero-touch deployment
• Automated MDM enrollment
• Device supervision without physical access

But ABM requires an organization ID, takes time to set up, and isn’t available in all regions. That’s why many ask:

“Can I use MDM without Apple Business Manager?”
Yes — with a few limitations and workarounds.

3 Ways to Manage Apple Devices Without ABM

1. Use Apple Configurator 2 for Manual Supervision

Best for: Small device batches, local setup
Works on: macOS

Apple Configurator 2 lets you manually supervise and enroll iPhones and iPads into MDM—even if ABM isn’t used.

Steps:

1. Connect device via USB to a Mac
2. Open Apple Configurator 2
3. Choose “Prepare” → “Manual Enrollment”
4. Supervise device and install MDM profile
5. Lock supervision (optional)

Limitations:

• Device must be physically connected
• Cannot reassign devices remotely
• No zero-touch deployment

2. Use MDM with Manual Profile Installation (Unsupervised Mode)

Best for: BYOD, dev teams, remote workers
Compatible with: Any Apple MDM platform (like Scalefusion, Jamf, Miradore, etc.)

You can send a profile URL or manually install a mobileconfig file on the device to enroll it into MDM — no ABM required.

*How it works:
*

• MDM generates a profile link
• User opens it in Safari
• Installs the config manually
• Accepts device management terms

Drawbacks:

• Devices remain unsupervised
• Many restrictions (like preventing app deletion, full control) won’t work

3. Use a Third-Party MDM That Doesn’t Require ABM

Some MDM tools like Scalefusion, Miradore, Jamf Now, and Mosyle allow manual enrollment workflows without requiring ABM at all.
You’ll miss out on supervision, but you can still:

• Push apps
• Lock/wipe devices
• Configure Wi-Fi, VPN, email

Best for:

• Freelancers managing test devices
• Teams under 5–10 devices
• Environments without Apple School/Business Manager access

Pros and Cons of Skipping Apple Business Manager

FAQs

Can I supervise a device without Apple Business Manager?

Yes — using Apple Configurator 2 manually. But the device must be physically connected via USB.

What MDM works without ABM?

Tools like Miradore, Jamf Now, Mosyle, and SimpleMDM all support manual enrollment workflows without ABM.

Can I manage macOS without ABM?

Yes. You can install profiles manually or use tools like Scalefusion, for macOS management even without ABM.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need Apple Business Manager to manage Apple devices, but you’ll sacrifice automation and full control.
For small teams, startups, and developers, tools like Apple Configurator 2 and manual MDM enrollment are enough to get started.

When your fleet grows or your compliance needs change, consider enrolling in ABM to unlock features like:

• Device supervision at scale
• Automated MDM assignment
• Tighter security policies