Assign Apple Devices to Intune MDM Server

Learn how to assign devices to an Intune MDM server in Apple Business Manager and initiate a sync in the Microsoft Intune admin center.

August 31, 2026 By Michael Limberg

This guide walks through verifying if hardware in Apple Business Manager is assigned to Intune, and if not, then assigning it to a Microsoft Intune MDM server. If assigned, it is then followed by triggering a device sync in Intune so the device is ready for automated enrollment.

This procedure applies to IT administrators managing iOS, iPadOS, or macOS deployments using Apple Business Manager integrated with Microsoft Intune.

Assign Device in Apple Business Manager

Step #1: Browse to https://business.apple.com/ to login to Apple Business Manager. Click on Devices in the top navigation bar. — Browse to https://business.apple.com/ to login to Apple Business Manager. Click on **Devices** in the top navigation bar.

Step #2: Type, or paste if available, the IMEI number into the search bar. Click on the target device from the inventory list. — Type, or paste if available, the IMEI number into the search bar. Click on the target device from the inventory list.

Step #3: Copy the Serial Number listed for the device, this will be useful in a later step. — Copy the **Serial Number** listed for the device, this will be useful in a later step.

Step #4: If Device Management Service lists "No Service," the click on Assign Device Management... in the device details pane. If the device is already assigned to "InTune MDM Server," then proceed to step 9. — If **Device Management Service** lists "No Service," the click on **Assign Device Management...** in the device details pane. If the device is already assigned to "InTune MDM Server," then proceed to step 9.

Step #5: Click on the Device Management Service dropdown. — Click on the **Device Management Service** dropdown.

Step #6: Click on InTune MDM Server from the list of services. — Click on **InTune MDM Server** from the list of services.

Step #7: Click on Continue. — Click on **Continue**.

Step #8: Click on Confirm to complete the assignment. — Click on **Confirm** to complete the assignment.

Step #9: Click on Done on the confirmation screen. — Click on **Done** on the confirmation screen.

Sync Device in Microsoft Intune

After assigning the device in Apple Business Manager, trigger a sync in Microsoft Intune to import the device record immediately.

Step #10: Browse to https://intune.microsoft.com/ to login to Intune, then click on Devices in the left navigation menu. — Browse to https://intune.microsoft.com/ to login to Intune, then click on **Devices** in the left navigation menu.

Step #11: Click on Apple mobile under the platform list. — Click on **Apple mobile** under the platform list.

Step #12: Click on Enrollment in the sidebar. — Click on **Enrollment** in the sidebar.

Step #13: Click on Enrollment program tokens under bulk enrollment methods. — Click on **Enrollment program tokens** under bulk enrollment methods.

Step #14: Click on InTune MDM Server in the token table. — Click on **InTune MDM Server** in the token table.

Step #15: Click on Devices under the token management menu. — Click on **Devices** under the token management menu.

Click in the "Search by serial number" search box. Type in the serial number you copied in step 3. If the device is not listed, proceed to step 17. If the device is found, verify a date/time is listed under "Profile Assigned". If so, then you are done and do not need to follow the remaining steps.

Step #17: Click on Sync in the top toolbar to fetch newly assigned devices from Apple Business Manager. — Click on **Sync** in the top toolbar to fetch newly assigned devices from Apple Business Manager.

Intune restricts token sync requests to a cooldown period. If a sync is already running, wait until the timer elapses before retrying.

Click on Refresh to update the device list once synchronization completes. With the serial number still in the search box, verify a date/time is listed under "Profile Assigned".

Q: How often does Intune automatically sync with Apple Business Manager?

A: Intune automatically synchronizes token assignments with Apple Business Manager once every 24 hours. You can manually trigger a sync at any time if you need immediate assignment.

Q: Why is the Sync button unavailable or showing a countdown timer?

A: Microsoft Intune enforces a cooldown period (typically 15 minutes) between manual sync requests for the same enrollment token to avoid rate limits with Apple servers.

Term	Definition
Apple Business Manager (ABM)	Apple's web-based portal that lets IT administrators deploy Apple devices, manage apps, and integrate with MDM solutions.
Mobile Device Management (MDM)	Software used by IT to monitor, manage, and secure employee mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Enrollment Program Token	A secure certificate token that connects an Apple Business Manager account to a specific MDM server such as Microsoft Intune.
Automated Device Enrollment (ADE)	An Apple deployment method that automatically enrolls corporate-owned devices into MDM out of the box during initial setup.