InstallApplication

MDM command to install an app from App Store (via VPP), Enterprise source (manifest URL), or package. Supports managed configuration.

What to Know

InstallApplication enables zero-touch app deployment, allowing IT to silently provision devices with required software without requiring users to visit the App Store, authenticate, or even touch their device. This is fundamental to modern device management — users receive fully-configured, production-ready devices with all necessary apps already installed and configured. Without it, organizations would need to rely on manual user installation (error-prone, time-consuming) or physical device provisioning (doesn’t scale for remote workforces).

The command also supports critical security and compliance use cases by ensuring required apps (security agents, authentication apps, VPN clients) are present before users can access corporate resources. Combined with managed app configuration, InstallApplication can deploy pre-configured apps that are immediately usable without requiring users to know server addresses, account settings, or technical parameters that might otherwise be exposed through insecure channels.

Common Scenarios

Enterprise IT: Automatically deploy productivity suites (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace), security tools (endpoint protection, password managers), and communication apps (Teams, Slack, Zoom) to new employee devices during onboarding. Push urgent security updates or patches to existing apps across the fleet without waiting for users to manually update. Deploy beta versions of internal apps to specific user groups for testing before broad rollout.

MSP: Deploy standardized toolsets to client devices including remote management agents, backup clients, and collaboration tools specific to each client’s technology stack. Push apps to devices in response to service tickets (“user needs access to X”) without requiring physical device access or user involvement. Maintain consistent app versions across client fleets to simplify support and reduce compatibility issues.

Education: Mass-deploy educational apps (Classroom, Khan Academy, GarageBand) to student device fleets before the school year begins. Push required testing apps to student devices before exam periods, ensuring all students have the correct version and configuration. Deploy course-specific apps to classroom iPad carts when rooms are reassigned between semesters.

In Addigy

Addigy issues InstallApplication commands automatically when apps are assigned to devices or groups through the Apple Apps (VPP) catalog or Smart Software deployments. For VPP apps, Addigy handles license assignment, configuration dictionary delivery, and installation status tracking. For enterprise apps and packages, Addigy generates the necessary manifest URLs and hosts the installation payloads. Addigy monitors installation progress, retries failed installations, and reports completion status in the device’s app inventory. Admins can configure installation options like whether the app should be removable by the user or if it requires supervised mode.