Upload a configuration profile to DMA

You upload your configuration profiles to Device Management for Apple before you can install them on enrolled devices.

Depending on the payload and selection, profiles may be supported on both macOS and iOS devices.

You can add multiple payloads to one configuration profile, but when you update one payload in the configuration profile, all other associated payloads are affected. We recommend you create separate profiles based on function, or for frequently and infrequently changed settings.

Requirements

Upload a configuration profile to DMA

  1. In the left-hand navigation menu, go to Configuration > Device Management for Apple.
  2. Select Profiles.

    The Profiles tab displays including the configured name and description for each profile, and the number of devices each profile is installed on.

  3. Select Upload profile.
  4. Enter the Profile name to identify the profile in N-central and on devices.

  5. Enter a Profile description (optional).
  6. Drag and drop the .mobileconfig file into the upload field or click browse to navigate to its location.

    Only .mobileconfig file types are supported and the file size must be less than 1 MB.

  7. Select Upload.

The configuration profile is uploaded to Device Management for Apple and you can install the profile to your DMA enrolled devices.

Resolve a duplicate profile identifier error

When you upload a configuration profile, you might receive the following error:

A profile with the same ID already exists.

This error occurs because each configuration profile contains a unique identifier. Apple devices use this identifier to determine whether a profile is new or an update to an existing one.

When you delete a profile from DMA, N-central marks the profile as unavailable for installation but does not immediately remove the identifier from Apple's backend. The identifier remains occupied until Apple releases it.

To resolve this error, generate a new unique identifier for the profile before you upload it again.

Generate a new profile identifier

  1. Download and install iMazing Profile Editor (or a dedicated profile editor of choice).
  2. Open the configuration profile (.mobileconfig file) in the profile editor.
  3. Use your preferred profile editor to reset or generate a new identifier for the profile. For example, in the iMazing Profile Editor, go to File > Reset all identifiers. For the most current guidance, always refer to the documentation of the profile editor.
  4. Save the profile.
  5. Upload the updated profile to DMA.

Using a dedicated profile editor helps preserve the integrity of the configuration profile. This procedure uses the iMazing Profile Editor because it provides a simpler, more streamlined experience. You can use another profile editor if you prefer.

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