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Apple Classroom app

Overview

Apple Classroom is an app available for teachers to assist with the management of supported iPad and Mac devices. Click here for more information about Classroom.

Requirements

  • WiFi with client-to-client communication allowed
  • Ports 3284 and 3285 need to be released
  • Bluetooth must be turned on and devices must be within range
  • Student devices cannot have Airplane mode or Do Not Disturb enabled
  • iPad devices running iOS 9.3 or later, Mac devices running macOS 10.14.4 or later. In order to take full advantage of all Classroom features, it is recommended both teacher and student devices are running the latest versions of macOS and iOS/iPadOS.
  • Click here for additional network requirements

Requirements may vary depending on the type of classes configured in the Apple Classroom app. Please visit the following Apple User Guides for additional information:

 

Installing the Classroom App

Before teachers can use and access the Classroom app it must be installed on the devices. Mosyle Administrators can deploy the app to devices using device based licensing via the Install App profile. When using MDM-synced classes, only teacher devices need the Classroom app. To install the app, follow the steps below:

  1. Obtain licenses for the Classroom app in Apple School Manager
  2. Make sure the licenses are synced in Mosyle under Management > Applications > Apple Apps and Books > Click the token > Update
  3. Create the Install App profile under Management > Install app
  4. Choose the Apps and Books token as the installation source, select the app and choose users/devices to assign the profile
  5. Click Save

 

Configuring the Classroom App

Currently there are three methods for syncing classes to the Apple Classroom app: MDM-synced classes, classes synced with Apple School Manager, and unmanaged classes. For MDM-synced classes, the Education Configuration profile is required on devices. The Education Configuration profile will automatically be installed on 1:1 devices assigned to students or teachers with classes assigned and on Apple Shared iPad devices after a user logs in with their Managed Apple ID.

When using classes synced with Apple School Manager and unmanaged classes, the Education Configuration profile should not be installed as it could create a conflict. The automatic installation of the Education Configuration profile can be turned off using one of the methods below:

  • By Location: Go to My School > Hierarchy > Locations > Select the location > Check the box "Do not install the Education Profile for any students or teachers at this location. If the users belong to more than one location the education profile will not be installed for either location." > Click Save
  • iOS/iPadOS Only: Go to My School > Preferences > Other Settings > iOS/iPadOS > Uncheck the box "Automatically install and update the Education Configuration profile for Apple Classroom app on all devices and allow teachers to use the Education Configuration profile during "Start Class" in Mosyle Class Manager." > Click Save
  • macOS Only: Go to My School > Preferences > Other Settings > macOS > Uncheck the box "Automatically install and update the Education Configuration profile for Apple Classroom app on all devices and allow teachers to use the Education Configuration profile during "Start Class" in Mosyle Class Manager." > Click Save

Using any of the methods above to turn off the automatic installation of the Education Configuration profile will trigger removal commands for the profile on any devices that currently have it installed.

 

Reinstalling the Education Configuration profile

If needed, the Education Configuration profile can be reinstalled on the devices using one of the methods below:

  • In Bulk: Management > Devices Overview > Select the devices > Menu Option: Send Educational Profile
  • Individual Devices: Management > Devices Overview > Click the device name to bring up the device info window > Menu Option: Send Educational Profile

Note: If any of the options to not automatically install the educational profile are selected, no commands will be generated.

 

Apple Classroom for User Enrolled Devices

Per Apple's MDM protocol, devices enrolled using User Enrollment cannot receive the Education Configuration profile to set up MDM-synced classes. In this case, teachers can make use of unmanaged classes which can be configured manually on the devices. Click here for more information about unmanaged classes in Apple Classroom.

 

Restrictions Available to Facilitate the use of Apple Classroom

Restrictions are available for supervised devices enrolled in the MDM to force certain permissions for the Apple Classroom app. Below are the available restrictions for each OS platform.

iOS & iPadOS Restrictions

The following restrictions are available for supervised iPad devices under Management > Restrictions.

  • Do not allow observation via Classroom: When enabled this restriction, Classroom app cannot see the device screen.
  • Force Permission to leave classes: When this restriction is enabled, a student enrolled in an unmanaged course via Classroom will need to request the teacher's permission when attempting to leave the course (iOS 11.3 or higher).
  • Force Screen Viewing permission via Classroom app: When enabled, students will not be required to authorize Screen Viewing regardless of the Education profile option configured in the Location registration within Mosyle (iOS 10.3 or higher).
  • Automatically join Classroom without prompting: When this restriction is enabled, student devices will automatically join Classroom when the teacher requests, without prompting student permission (iOS 11 or higher).
  • Allow Classroom to lock to an app and lock device without prompting: When this restriction is enabled, teachers will be able to lock student devices into an app or lock the device, without prompting student permission (iOS 11 or higher).
  • Force Unprompted Managed Classroom Screen Observation: When this restriction is enabled, teachers will be able to view the screens of student devices, without prompting student permission (iOS 11 or higher).

macOS Restrictions

The following restrictions are available for supervised Mac devices under Management > Restrictions > Functionality tab.

  • Do not allow remote screen observation by the Classroom App (macOS 10.14.4 or higher)
  • Automatically join Classroom classes without prompting (macOS 10.14.4 or higher)
  • Force teacher permission to leave Classroom unmanaged classes (macOS 10.14.4 or higher)
  • Allow Classroom to lock the device without prompting (macOS 10.14.4 or higher)
  • Allow Classroom to perform AirPlay and View Screen without prompting (macOS 10.14.4 or higher and requires the installation of the Education Configuration profile from the MDM)
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