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Shared device management solutions for iOS and iPadOS using Microsoft Intune

Writer: Anand PAnand P

This blog will guide you through the various management types available in Intune for handling iOS and iPadOS devices in shared mode. Shared device models are being increasingly adopted in various environments, such as manufacturing centers and educational institutions, mainly because they significantly cut down hardware costs.


Shared devices are organization-owned multi-user systems that can serve specialized or general purposes as needed in each environment. These devices empower frontline workers in healthcare, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and other sectors to access critical applications and tools vital to their organizational roles. In educational settings, shared devices function as learning aids or platforms for test-taking in classrooms.


Intune supports two types of solution


  1. Shared iPads

  2. Shared Device Mode


What is Shared iPads ?


As indicated by the name, these devices are used by multiple users. Each individual has their own customized space, making it seem like a personal device. Information is stored locally and synced to their iCloud account, enabling access to their data when they log into any other shared iPad. Each user receives a personalized environment with unique data, apps, and settings, ensuring privacy and security through user-level data isolation. To understand or learn more about shared iPad, you can read this article https://www.cloudtekspace.com/post/configure-shared-ipad-using-microsoft-intune


What is Shared Device Mode ?


This type functions on a session-by-session basis, with data being erased after each session, making it perfect for settings like kiosks or frontline workers, where one device is shared by multiple users. In this mode, users do not possess personal profiles on the device. The device is cleared of any session data when a user logs out, ensuring each session begins as new. The experience resembles logging into a public workstation. For more information on configuring a shared device mode, visit my blog at https://www.cloudtekspace.com/post/sign-up-using-microsoft-entra-shared-mode.


Shared ipad vs Shared Device Mode

Feature

Shared iPad

Shared Device Mode

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Android & iOS/iPadOS

Target Users

Ideal for education or retail environments

Ideal for frontline workers or kiosks

User Experience

Personalized per user with Apple ID

Session-based, no persistent user profiles

Data Persistence

Data is preserved for each user

Data is wiped after each session

Privacy

Data separation between users

No data retention between sessions

Device Management

Managed through Apple School/Business Manager

Managed through Intune

Security

Supports encryption and data separation

System-level management, wiped after each use

Shared iPad does not support the following Conditional Access configurations:


  • Granting Conditional Access policies that mandate an approved client app, an app protection policy, per-device terms of use, or device compliance is not supported with Shared iPad.

  • Conditional Access policies that apply device-based filters.



Conclusion


In summary, if you need a solution that enables users to save their data and work and access it from the same or different devices, opting for a shared iPad is advisable. However, if you prefer a solution where the device is shared but user data is not saved and is removed upon sign-out, then selecting the shared device mode is suitable.

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About Me

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. My name is Anand P, and I work as a Senior Engineer in IT. This blog is dedicated to providing articles on various Microsoft technologies such as Intune, Azure AD, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Azure, EMS, M365, Security, and more. Most of the content on this blog is based on the solutions and issues I encounter in my everyday work, and I use this platform as a technical notebook to keep track of my findings. Please note that any views expressed in my posts on this site are solely my own. Also, any code, scripts, demos, or examples provided in the blog posts are only for illustration. I hope you find my blog posts informative and useful.

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