VPP Licensing

The Apple Volume Purchase program (see Apple VPP for more information.) supports two separate types of licensing: Redemption Codes and Managed Distribution. These license types are not interchangeable. Depending on your organization, one might be more suited than the other to your needs.

Redemption Codes

Redemption codes are single-use licenses. Each code can only be redeemed once and is permanently linked to the Apple ID associated with the target device at the time of assignment. When that device is unenrolled from MobiControl, the application is removed but the license remains linked to the device and there is no way for the code to be unredeemed. Redemption codes are supported in devices running iOS 6 or later.

Managed Distribution

Managed distribution allows MobiControl to securely communicate with Apple VPP services for management and inventory of VPP licenses. VPP licenses that are assigned through managed distribution are reusable and can be revoked and reassigned to a different device by administrators. This allows organizations to retain greater control of application licenses that are purchased through VPP.

Purchasing and distributing VPP applications through MobiControl requires performing steps on both the Apple VPP side and the MobiControl side. For information on the steps you need to perform through Apple, see the Volume Purchase Program for Business Guide, available on Apple's support portal. After you have purchased application licenses, and linked your VPP account to MobiControl, use MobiControl's Application Catalog Rule to distribute the applications to your enrolled devices.

Managed Distribution applications can be assigned to a user's Apple ID or linked to the device itself.

Apple ID based is the default assignment type and is available with all applications. It requires that an Apple ID is present on the device.

Device based is a newer assignment type that links the licenses directly to the device and therefore does not require an Apple ID. It is best employed for devices that you expect to have multiple owners over their lifetimes. Device based assignment is compatible with devices running iOS 9 or later. Be aware that some applications may not support device based assignment.

With either method, when a device is unenrolled from MobiControl, VPP apps are automatically removed and their licenses become available again.

Note

Apple IDs from different countries than the VPP account can still be assigned with a VPP licenses as long as that application is available in their region.

If necessary, you can convert between assignment types. However, conversion may trigger a (temporary) insufficient licenses alert because Apple servers will detect one device using two licenses. The error will resolve itself during the nightly maintenance schedule or you can manually reconcile the licenses outside of the maintenance schedule.

Converting from User Based Licenses to Device Based Licenses

  1. On the iOS tab, go to the Rules tab.
  2. Right click an existing Application Catalog Rule.
  3. Select Edit Rule.
  4. Select the Application List tab in the dialog box.
  5. Select a VPP application.
  6. Click the Edit button.
  7. In the Enable Volume Purchase Program section, select Device Based from the Assignment Type dropdown.
  8. Click OK.
  9. If you want to switch the assignment types of multiple applications, repeat the steps as necessary.
  10. Click OK.

Converting from Device Based Licenses to User Based Licenses

  1. On the iOS tab, go to the Rules tab.
  2. Right click an existing Application Catalog Rule.
  3. Select Edit Rule.
  4. Select the Application List tab in the dialog box.
  5. Select a VPP application.
  6. Click the Edit button.
  7. In the Enable Volume Purchase Program section, select User Based from the Assignment Type dropdown.
  8. Click OK.
  9. If you want to switch the assignment types of multiple applications, repeat the steps as necessary.
  10. Click OK.

Alternatively, you can create a completely new application catalog rule that targets the same device group(s) but with the applications set to device based or Apple ID based as needed.

Licenses convert during the nightly schedule. Users should experience little to no interruption in their service.

VPP Licenses Removal

If you want to remove licenses and use them for a different set of devices, you must delete the application catalog rule that defines how the licenses are applied. See Deleting an Application Catalog rule for more information. Once the licenses have been released, you are free to re-use them.

Automatic License Revocation

License are also released when they are automatically revoked from devices during the nightly maintenance schedule. They are then reconciled back into the VPP account. Revocation occurs in devices where:

Reconciling VPP Licenses

If you do not want to wait for the nightly maintenance schedule to update the statuses of your licenses, you can manually reconcile your VPP account.

  1. On the All Platforms tab, click the Servers tab.
  2. Under Global Settings, click the wrench icon beside Apple Volume Purchase Program.
  3. In the Manage Apple Volume Purchase Program dialog box, click Advanced.
  4. Click Reconcile VPP Licenses.
  5. [Optional] Uncheck Enable License Removal Notification if you do not want users to know that you are revoking the license. This is useful if you are only temporarily revoking the license, as in assignment type conversion.
  6. Click Yes.

Note

You can generate a report for a summary of your VPP licenses to help you manage your license purchases.

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