# Device Migration > Migrate Apple Devices to Applivery from an existing MDM solution using Apple Business — no factory reset required. Source: https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/apple/enrollment/migrate-apple-devices/ • Last updated: 2026-06-09 **Key topics:** MDM Migration, Apple Business, Device Enrollment, Applivery, iOS, iPadOS, macOS --- **TL;DR:** Migrate your Apple devices to Applivery seamlessly using Apple Business Manager, preserving data and apps without a factory reset. This process enables organizations to maintain business continuity while securely transitioning management, preserving Apps and data, and minimizing user disruption. It applies to Devices running **iOS 26**, **iPadOS 26**, or **macOS 26**, and is intended for users with **Administrator** or **Device Enrollment Manager** roles in Apple Business. :::info You can learn more about roles and privileges in Apple Business by following this [link](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-business-manager/axm97dd59159/web). ::: ## Overview Apple Business enables smooth transitions between MDM solutions—ideal for organizations moving from on-premises to cloud management, consolidating Devices after a merger, or switching providers. Key migration features include: - Setting a migration deadline (1–90 days). - Preserving Managed Apps and data on iPhone and iPad. - Managing Activation Lock settings. - Enforcing migration through device restarts when users don’t take action. - Canceling migrations before they start, reverting Devices to the original MDM. - Migrating iOS and iPadOS Devices **without a factory reset**. ## Requirements Devices must meet the following conditions to be eligible for migration: - Run **iOS 26**, **iPadOS 26**, or **macOS 26**. - Be **organization-owned** and enrolled via **Automated Device Enrollment (ADE)**. - For macOS 26, **profile-based enrollment** is also supported. - Devices enrolled via **Apple Configurator** must be past the **30-day provisional period**. :::warning If these conditions are not met, the migration deadline option will not appear in Apple Business, and bulk migration actions will fail, as logged in Apple Business’s activity log. ::: ## Before you begin **Prepare your Applivery Dashboard** Before starting migration, ensure your Applivery environment is properly configured: The first step is to create your **Apple Enterprise account** by uploading your **Apple Push Certificate** to Applivery. Once in the [**Applivery Dashboard**](https://dashboard.applivery.io/), navigate to the **Apple Setup** 1 section under the Settings section and follow [this guide](https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/apple/get-started/) for detailed instructions. Once your Apple Enterprise account is set up, the next step is to configure your **Apple Business** integration. Start by connecting your **DEP** and **VPP** tokens, which will allow Applivery to import your Devices and manage app licenses automatically. You can follow [this guide](https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/apple/enrollment/dep/) to learn how to connect your **DEP** token, and [this one](https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/apple/app-management/vpp/) for configuring **VPP** licenses. Once this is completed, you can begin creating **DEP profiles** and [assign them as the default](https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/apple/enrollment/default-assignments/) for any Device enrolled via Apple Business. If applicable, set up [**Smart Enrollment**](https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/apple/enrollment/smart-enrollment/) as the default for Apple Business Devices. Finally, ensure that all **device Policies** include the previously installed Managed Apps to prevent any data loss during the migration process. **Migration process** Sign in to [Apple Business](https://business.apple.com/) as an Administrator or Device Enrollment Manager, navigate to the **Devices** section, and select the **target device**. Select **Assign Device Management**, and choose **Applivery** as the destination MDM. Optionally, you can **set a migration deadline** (1–90 days); if this option is unavailable, the Device does not meet the migration requirements. Once you have verified all settings, click **Confirm** to proceed. ![assign device management](https://docs.applivery.com/int/_r2/media/09ac0a4e-3ad8-478f-9f15-3474973eec71/80d64054-543b-49bb-b5eb-a207229a86de.png) :::info You can also select multiple Devices for migration by holding the Command key while clicking and selecting the desired Devices. ::: **Sync with Apple Business** Back in the Applivery Dashboard, simply click the **Sync with Apple Business** button to start the synchronization process and retrieve the latest updates from Apple Business. Any newly added Devices will appear in the list below. ![sync with abm](https://docs.applivery.com/int/_r2/media/09ac0a4e-3ad8-478f-9f15-3474973eec71/b30f7c2c-ed6a-4940-8328-d2aedcaa0ffe.png) :::info After syncing, Devices begin receiving notifications prompting users to start migration. These increase in frequency as the deadline approaches—daily reminders, then hourly alerts during the final 24 hours, and countdown notifications in the last hour. If a Device loses connectivity after unenrollment, a Wi-Fi picker will appear to continue setup. ::: **End-user experience** #### **Initial notification** Users receive a notification that migration to Applivery has begun. They can choose **Start Enrollment** or **Not Now** (to postpone). ![initial notification](https://docs.applivery.com/int/_r2/media/09ac0a4e-3ad8-478f-9f15-3474973eec71/f0387cad-67a7-4823-ab8d-8aefd427452b.png) #### Enrollment Selecting **Start Enrollment** redirects users to **Settings > VPN & Device Management** to initiate Applivery enrollment. ![enrollment](https://docs.applivery.com/int/_r2/media/09ac0a4e-3ad8-478f-9f15-3474973eec71/dfd98c0d-27f7-4150-a972-ae89290f994d.png) When enrollment starts—or when the migration deadline is reached—the Device automatically restarts to apply the new configuration. After the restart, users are prompted to complete the enrollment process. If the deadline has not yet passed, they can choose to delay one final time; otherwise, enrollment is required. After migration, a Device may either complete successfully or fail. In a **successful enrollment**, the Device confirms the migration and reinstalls Apps and configurations over the air. In the case of a **failed enrollment**, the Device becomes unmanaged, and you should contact the administrator for assistance. **Editing or canceling a migration** To modify or cancel a migration for a single device, sign in to Apple Business, navigate to **Devices**, select the target device, click **Change Deadline** to modify or remove it, and then click **Save**. For multiple Devices, select the desired Devices in Apple Business, click **Unassign or Reassign**, adjust the deadline as needed, and click **Save**. :::warning Canceling a migration restores the Device to its previous MDM configuration and removes migration notifications. ::: **Activation Lock management** During migration, Applivery manages the Device’s Activation Lock status depending on its pre-migration state. | Pre-Migration State | Migration Behavior | Post-Migration Outcome | | --- | --- | --- | | No Activation Lock | Applivery can enable Activation Lock during migration | Device may have Activation Lock enabled and a new bypass code generated | | Activation Lock from previous MDM | Existing Activation Lock is removed during migration | Applivery applies a new Activation Lock, invalidating previous bypass codes | | Activation Lock handling (general) | Applivery sends an Activation Lock request to Apple Business before migration completes | A new bypass code is generated and managed through Applivery | | Migration failure | Apple Business retains the Activation Lock | Device can be unlocked via Apple Business; previous locks and bypass codes are no longer valid |