Declarative versus Reactive Profiles

Apple devices can use either Declarative or Reactive profiles. Declarative profiles enable Apple devices to automatically apply and revoke profile configurations independently. Reactive profiles do not support applying and revoking profile configurations independently.

Declarative profile configurations are available for the following:

  • iOS / iPadOS
  • Shared iPad User

For these devices, you can select either a Declarative or Reactive profile. All other Apple device families use Reactive profiles.

Declarative profiles are Apple's updated Mobile Device Management protocol that uses a publish-subscribe architecture to manage devices.

Reactive profile are Apple's original Mobile Device Management protocol that uses polling and check-ins to manage devices.

Tip: See Apple Profile Configurations for more details.
Tip: To learn more about Apple's Mobile Device Management protocol and Declarative profiles, see Understanding How MDM Works.

Declarative profiles consist of the four following tabs: