[Full Guide] What Is iPhone Supervised Mode?

iPhone supervised mode is always widely used among organizations like schools and businesses. Especially, this is set up for extended management and control. If you’ve found that your iPhone is supervised, you may think of what this means and how it affects the functionality of your device. In this article, we’ll walk through Apple device supervision, from its prominent feature, and the purpose behind its activation, to the way of activating and deactivating it.

What Is Supervised Mode on iPhone?

Apple device supervision is designed for companies, schools, and other organizations to acquire management and control over iPhones and iPads. When you enable a supervised mode on an iOS device, you can gain deeper control over the device.

Normally, iOS supervised and unsupervised modes differ mainly in terms of the control and management capabilities they can offer. With unsupervised mode, you can enjoy more flexibility and control over the device. You’ll have complete and unhindered access to device settings and functionalities.

Why Is My iPhone Under Supervision?

Your iPhone or iPad is supervised and managed because it has been enrolled in a Mobile Device Management system. Generally, this happens when your iPhone is managed and controlled by a school, company, or organization. When your iPhone is supervised, it allows the administrator to enforce policy, manage applications, and apply specific restrictions. In other words, Apple device supervision is utilized for protecting sensitive information, allowing for remote management, and keeping compliance with guidelines given by a company or educational system. If you don’t need these restrictions anymore, you may want to remove the supervision by contacting an administrator or using MDM removal tools.

What Can You Do with a Supervised iPhone?

Supervised iPhone offers a wide range of features and capabilities. Want to dig deeper into what your supervised device can do? Here’s a closer look at how the supervised mode on iPhone can benefit schools and businesses.

Apply Enhanced Restrictions

With a supervised iPhone, you can apply more advanced restrictions to its use. This means you can turn off the camera, AirDrop, Safari, and any other feature that you don’t want to show up or access in an application. Here is a list of what restrictions you can apply when the iPhone is under supervision.

Use Remote Management

You can manage a supervised Apple device through a Mobile Device Management - MDM system. Under the control of the MDM system, you can push updates, deploy settings, and install applications on the organization’s devices without needing physical access to each device. Consequently, it saves time and resources.

Streamline App Management

When an iPhone is supervised and managed by an organization, it enables the organization to install, update, or remove applications remotely whenever necessary. Setting up all devices with the necessary productivity tools guarantees a better user experience because applications will be up-to-date.

Deploy Configuration Profiles

Apple device supervision also allows you to automatically set up Wi-Fi networks, VPNs, email accounts, and other settings. This will simplify the onboarding process for new users, allowing them to get down to business quickly.

Allow Kiosk Mode

Supervised iPhones might be restricted to run specific applications or can be set to serve as a dedicated device for a particular purpose. For example, you can enable a supervised iPhone, especially for info kiosks or point-of-sale systems that demand a controlled environment for customer interaction.

Enhance Data Security

With supervision, you can activate various and deeper layers of security. These include multi-character passcodes that the administrator needs, enabling encryption, and remotely wiping the device if it gets stolen or lost to protect sensitive data.

Personalize User Experience

With Apple device supervision, administrators can customize home screen layouts on iPhones. This will allow administrators to decide which apps to display and how they are laid out for access by their users.

How to Enable Supervised Mode on iPhone?

You’re able to enable a supervised mode on an iPhone during the initial setup or the provisioning process. You can enable this feature with Apple Configurator or with the help of Mobile Device Management - MDM solution. Here’s how to make it:

Enable Supervised Mode on iPhone via Apple Configurator

1. Install the Apple Configurator on your Mac from the Mac App Store. Connect your iPhone to your Mac via a USB cable.
2. Launch the application and then select the device from the list.
3. In the toolbar, click “Prepare”. Click the “Manual” option and select the check box for “Enable Supervision.”
4. Enter the MDM server if it is already available. Instead, you can create a new one. This is an essential step because you’ll have further management of the device with this feature.
5. Follow the prompts to finish setting up this device. Your iPhone will be erased and set up as a supervised device.

Enable Supervised Mode on iPhone via MDM Profile

1. If your organization uses an MDM solution, follow the enrollment process. Generally, you’ll need to click on a link or scan a QR code, which is provided to you by the IT department of the organization.
2. The MDM will guide you through the setup process. It will automatically turn on the supervised mode after enrollment.

How to Deactivate Supervised Mode on iPhone?

As indicated, iPhone supervised mode often limits access to certain features, apps, and settings, which can hinder personal use of your device. If you want to release from these enforced restrictions and management over your iOS device, you need to deactivate supervised mode on your iPhone. Generally speaking, the removal of supervision gives full capability to make changes to your iPhone: install or uninstall applications, and change any settings without needing administration. Besides, when you leave the organization or graduate from school, deactivating Supervised Mode ensures that your data and privacy are well protected.

Deactivating supervised mode on iOS devices often requires administrative access. Hence, if the device belongs to an organization, it’s best to contact your IT department for assistance. Otherwise, you can use some third-party tools to get rid of the Apple device supervision.

Contact Your Administrator

The most straightforward way is to reach your IT department or administrator. They will guide you to remove the device from the MDM system. Alternatively, if you have administrator access, head to “General” under “Settings”. And then click on the “VPN & Device Management” option, where you should see the MDM profile. Tap it, and tap “Remove Management”. You may need to input a passcode to confirm this action.

Remove MDM Profile by Yourself

If you fail to remove an MDM profile like an administrator, you can use an MDM removal tool as well. BuhoUnlocker or similar software can help you bypass MDM restrictions and regain control over your iPhone or iPad.

1. Free install BuhoUnlocker and open it on your Windows or Mac computer. Open the software and connect your iPhone.
2. Then you’ll see the main interface below. In this window, look for and choose the option “Bypass MDM”.

   

3. Click to trust the computer.

   

4. Click on the “Bypass Now” option to initiate the process.

   

Once the MDM removal process is complete, you’ll see a notification window. Afterward, you can disconnect your iPhone and restart it.

Remove Supervised Mode by Apple Configurator

If you’ve enabled Supervised Mode on your iPhone using Apple Configurator, you can access it again to get rid of Apple device supervision.

1. Launch the Apple Configurator and connect your iPhone to your Mac via a USB cable.
2. In the Apple Configurator interface, find your iPhone from the available devices.
3. In the top bar, click the menu “Actions,” then click “Advanced,” and select “Remove Supervision.”
4. Continue to click on the prompts to confirm the action. After removing the Apple device supervision, you’ll need to set up the iPhone as if it were a new device.

Conclusion

Both administrators and users need to understand the supervised mode on the iPhone. Whether you need to know why your iPhone is under supervision, what functionalities are available in this mode, or how to enable and deactivate it, this post provides all the essential information you can refer to.