XML (Extensible Markup Language)

XML is a markup language defining rules for encoding documents. In MDM and Apple management, XML plays a critical role through the Property List (plist) format. MDM communication uses XML-formatted plists for command requests and responses, and configuration profiles are XML documents.

What to Know

XML provides the structured data format for virtually all Apple configuration and management operations. MDM profiles (.mobileconfig files) are XML documents defining device configurations, from Wi-Fi settings to security restrictions. The MDM Protocol uses XML-formatted plists for all command-response communication between servers and devices. macOS and iOS applications store preferences as XML plists, and system configurations often rely on plist files. Understanding XML structure helps admins troubleshoot profile deployment issues, customize configuration profiles, and interpret MDM protocol logs.

XML’s self-describing hierarchical structure makes configurations human-readable while remaining machine-parseable. XML validation ensures profiles are syntactically correct before deployment, catching errors that would cause installation failures. However, XML’s verbosity makes it less efficient than binary formats, and manual XML editing is error-prone — a single syntax error (unclosed tag, incorrect nesting) renders entire profiles invalid. Profile tools and MDM platforms abstract XML complexity, generating valid XML from administrator inputs, but troubleshooting sometimes requires examining raw XML to identify issues.

Common Scenarios

Enterprise IT: IT admins occasionally need to inspect or manually edit configuration profile XML to implement settings not exposed through MDM console interfaces. Custom profiles for specialized applications may require hand-editing XML payloads referencing Apple documentation. When profiles fail to install, examining XML syntax helps identify malformed tags, incorrect payload identifiers, or incompatible value types. IT should use XML validation tools before deploying hand-edited profiles to catch syntax errors that would cause deployment failures.

MSP: MSPs building standardized configuration templates may create master XML profiles that are customized per client through text replacement or XML parsing scripts. Understanding XML structure enables MSPs to template common configurations while varying client-specific details (Wi-Fi SSIDs, server addresses, organization identifiers). MSPs troubleshooting profile deployment failures across clients should examine XML differences between working and failing configurations to identify syntax or content issues causing problems.

Education: Education IT departments deploying profiles across thousands of devices must ensure XML syntax is correct to avoid mass deployment failures. Custom profiles for education-specific applications (learning management systems, content filters, student information systems) often require XML editing to configure application-specific settings not available through standard MDM interfaces. Education IT should maintain version-controlled repositories of profile XML to track changes over time and enable rollback if configurations cause unexpected behavior.

In Addigy

Addigy’s platform generates valid XML configuration profiles automatically from administrator inputs through the admin console interface, eliminating manual XML editing for standard profile types. For custom profiles requiring specialized XML payloads, admins can upload hand-crafted XML profiles or use Addigy’s custom profile tools to define XML payload structures. Addigy validates XML syntax before deployment, catching malformed profiles that would fail installation on devices.

When troubleshooting profile installation failures, Addigy support can examine profile XML to identify syntax errors, payload conflicts, or incompatible settings causing issues. Addigy provides visibility into profile deployment status at the XML payload level, helping identify which specific profile sections are failing to apply. Addigy’s device logs include MDM protocol communication showing XML-formatted commands and responses, enabling deep troubleshooting of device-server communication issues when standard diagnostics don’t reveal the root cause.