AppleTV [Wi-Fi ONLY] MDM Enrollment with Configurator 2

[cr4sh0ver]

As we deployed new AppleTVs we got the old AppleTVs back, some were not MDM enrolled (teacher donated). Now we are tasked with enrolling those OLD devices in our MDM. Mostly we were successfull in adding the devices to our MDM (via USB-C), but, we have a hard time with some Wi-Fi ONLY AppleTVs that were found in the mix. The apple instructions for enrolling the Wi-Fi only devices with Configurator 2 don't make any sence: Connect Apple TV HD using Wi-Fi  

Apples instructions require the AppleTV to be reset/erased and left at the "Hello" screen, then, Configurator needs to PAIR to the device in order to process the enrollment, but, there is no Wi-Fi setup on the device...??? ... Anyone has any bits of advice? is MDM enrollment not possible on Wi-Fi only Apple TVs?

[mschlosser]

I cannot remember where, but when I was researching this issue, for my workplace; i read somewhere that is not possible on wifi only apple TVs that were not purchase through Apple and setup with an properly setup ASM or ABM account. If using a third party reseller, I would make sure they were authorized and also hooked up to Apple's backend for proper integration with the ADE workflow.

My employer has since changed there workflow and we know only buy from authorized resellers that are authorized like I describe above. I will admit that all of the above sounds a bit suspect to me, so I did a bit more research and here is what I found:

Cannot be connected via USB, so traditional Apple Configurator 2 workflow won’t work.

As of macOS Monterey and Apple Configurator 2.15+, Apple introduced a way to provision
Apple TV 4K wirelessly — but only under specific conditions:
Apple TV must be on the same network segment as the Mac.
It must be brand new or erased.

The Mac must be signed into Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager via Configurator.

-Even with wireless setup, Apple Configurator 2 on Mac cannot assign Apple TV 4K to MDM via ADE like it can for iPhones or iPads using the iPhone-based Configurator app.

[GadgetVirtuoso]

That is correct. Only devices (iphones, ipad, macs, etc) purchased through Apple business or Apple Business authorized sellers will allow devices to appear in ABM. If you purchase from Apple Retail, Amazon or BestBuy, for example, those devices can only be manually enrolled.

Apple Configurator will work, but the device needs to be connected to the same LAN as the Mac, as you mentioned.

Only connect to the wifi without being configured. Make sure the Mac is nearby with Bluetooth enabled.

[Chris_Hafner]

Having struggled through this years ago in an enterprise environment, I found it easier to take a number of them home to configure. Unless you have an SSID/Subnet/VLAN local to your setup area. We have one configured to turn on nowadays, should we have these needs with other devices (Looking at you, NEAT). 

[dletkeman]

I'm going off my memory here.  I've struggled with this at times in the past.  Newer devices aren't much of an issue as long as the computer isn't on an enterprise network and bluetooth is on for the computer.  If I remember correctly the pairing process uses Bluetooth for discovery.  I have absolutely been able to enroll Apple TVs into Apple School Manager (same as Apple Business Manager) using Apple Configurator 2.

For older Apple TVs I remember reading that it was possible with an ealier version of Apple Configurator (can't remember version).  I managed to get ahold of that version, but no longer have it, and it did work at the time for those older versions.

It has been awhile since I've had to do this.  It's possible that things have changed but newer Apple TVs not purchased from your authorized resellers should be able to be enrolled in ASM/ABM still without much issue.  As @Chris_Hafner said it might be easier to do this at home.  I remember taking a stack of Apple TVs home and had little issue there.

[dletkeman]

I did just remove a newer Apple TV from our ASM and I'm having the same issue as you.  Can't seem to pair it up with Apple Configurator.  Looking into it.  Will let you know what I find.  Interested to know the solution too.

[dletkeman]

I found this article:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/101262

But it's not allowing me to pair in Xcode either.  The Apple TV does not appear.

Your issue really is that you can't seem to pair the Apple TV with Wifi only to Apple Configurator 2.  I'm still trying to figure this out myself too.

[David5vor12]

As far as I know only the Retailer kann add wifi-only AppleTVs to ASM.

[cr4sh0ver]

Tried following Apples instructions to restore and add to ASM but had no luck device ended in restore mode after unplugging it more than five times. Remote then stopped working and got stuck on restore screen. Calledd apple support and got no useful support. Was sent to genious bar and they couldnt help, said hardware issue and Bluetooth stopped working after restarts, they offered a new one! So, in resolution it looks like you cant add to ASM with configurator. This Wi-Fi  only device is NOT able to be added to ASM with all testing I have done and some other people commented the same issue after multiple attempts. Sad.

[dletkeman]

Thanks for this report.  Very useful.