How Can You Migrate Apple Devices to Microsoft Intune Without Losing Everything?

Why Is Device Migration No Longer a Nightmare for IT Teams?

Managing Apple devices just got easier. Apple’s new update brings hope to IT administrators who struggled with device migrations. No more factory resets. No more lost settings. No more frustrated users.

Device migration used to be painful. IT teams had to wipe every device clean before switching management systems. Users lost their apps, Wi-Fi settings, and security certificates. Teams couldn’t track which devices made the switch successfully.

Those days are over.

What Makes This Migration Different?

The new MDM Migration feature changes everything for macOS 26 and iOS/iPadOS 26 devices. IT administrators can now move devices from any third-party MDM solution to Microsoft Intune smoothly. Users keep working without interruption.

Key benefits include:

• Zero device wipes needed
• No manual re-enrollment required
• All configurations stay intact
• Better tracking and reporting
• Improved user experience

How Does the Migration Process Work?

The migration follows three main phases. Each phase has specific steps that ensure success.

Phase 1: Pre-Migration Setup

Before starting any migration, preparation matters. Five critical steps must be completed:

Document Your Current Setup

• Create a detailed list of all devices
• Note each device model and OS version
• Identify corporate-owned vs user-owned devices

Record Current Configurations

• Document all configuration profiles
• List compliance policies and security settings
• Note custom scripts and deployed applications

Set Up Apple MDM Push Certificate

• Create the certificate in the Intune Portal
• Upload it to enable secure communication with Apple devices

Connect Intune to Apple Business Manager

• Download the public key from Intune
• Upload the key to ABM or ASM when creating a new MDM server
• Download the server token and upload it back to Intune

Configure Intune Settings

• Copy your current configurations into Intune
• Test everything on a pilot device first

Phase 2: Administrator Migration Steps

Administrators handle the technical setup:

1. Log into Apple Business Manager with Administrator or Device Enrollment Manager privileges
2. Select target devices or device groups for migration
3. Click the ellipsis menu in the device overview interface
4. Choose “Assign Device Management“
5. Select Intune as the destination server
6. Confirm the device assignment

Phase 3: User Experience During Migration

The user side stays simple:

• Users receive a notification asking them to approve the migration
• If they miss the deadline, a full-screen prompt appears automatically
• No device restart required
• Migration completes when the new profile installs

How Do You Verify Migration Success?

After migration, verification ensures everything worked correctly:

Check the Intune Portal

• Confirm new devices appear in the device list
• Verify enrollment status shows as successful
• Review configuration deployment status

For Large Migrations

• Test a small group of devices first
• Verify all required configurations work properly
• Run full testing after migration completes
• Make adjustments if issues arise

What Are the Requirements?

Before starting migration, ensure these prerequisites are met:

• Devices must run macOS 26, iOS 26, or iPadOS 26
• Devices must already be enrolled in a device management service
• Administrator access to both current MDM and Intune
• Active Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager account

Why Does This Matter for Your Organization?

This migration capability solves major pain points:

For IT Teams

• Reduces migration time significantly
• Eliminates device setup work
• Improves tracking and reporting accuracy
• Reduces support tickets from confused users

For End Users

• No work interruption during migration
• All personal settings remain intact
• Applications continue working normally
• No need to reconnect to Wi-Fi or services

For Organizations

• Faster MDM platform switches
• Consistent security policies across all devices
• Better compliance tracking
• Reduced operational costs

The new MDM Migration feature transforms how organizations handle Apple device management. IT teams can confidently switch to Microsoft Intune knowing their users won’t experience disruption. This seamless transition capability makes Intune adoption much more attractive for organizations currently using other MDM solutions.

Testing remains crucial for success. Start with a small pilot group before migrating your entire device fleet. This approach helps identify any configuration issues early and ensures smooth deployment across your organization.