Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions are critical for businesses to secure, monitor, and manage mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. However, there may be times when device management needs to be removed, often referred to as deprovisioning devices. This can happen when an employee leaves the company, a device is retired, lost, stolen, or as part of troubleshooting device issues.
Deprovisioning Options
Remove mobile device management can be accomplished through three primary methods: Disown, Erase, and Delete. Each method has different implications for the device and its data, so it’s important to choose the appropriate option based on your specific needs.
Disown:
- Applies to: Apple devices enrolled through Apple Business Manager (ABM) only.
- Effect: Removes all device information from the NinjaOne database, deletes the enrollment profile from the device, and removes the device from the ABM portal. This is a complete removal of the device from your management.
Disowning a Device
The “Disown” action is available exclusively for company-owned Apple devices enrolled via Apple Business Manager (ABM). Disowning a device removes it from your NinjaOne console and erases its data, but the device itself remains enrolled in ABM.
Erase:
- Applies to: Both Apple and Android devices.
- Effect: Deletes the enrollment profile from the device but retains device information in the NinjaOne database. This allows for re-enrollment without needing to re-enter device details.
- Apple: Completely wipes the device and all its contents, requiring it to be set up again as a new device. This deletes all data, including apps, photos, and files, whether the device is personal or company-owned.
- Android: Removes the work profile on personally owned devices or factory resets the device (removing all data) on company-owned devices.
Erasing a Device
To erase a mobile device from NinjaOne, follow these steps:
1. Access the Device Dashboard: Navigate to the device dashboard by going to “Dashboard” > “Organization” > “Device” and click the “Play” icon next to the target device’s name.
2. Initiate Erase Action: In the device management section, locate and click on “Security Actions” and then select “Erase Device.”
3. Configure Erase Options (if applicable): If you need to wipe the device’s external storage, select the “Wipe External Storage” option. This option may not be available for all devices.
4. Confirm Erasure: To prevent accidental data loss, you will be prompted to confirm the erasure by entering your NinjaOne account email address.
Delete:
- Applies to: Both Apple and Android devices.
- Effect: Removes the device from NinjaOne and deletes the enrollment profile from the device. All information is removed from the NinjaOne database, but ABM devices will retain division and organization information in ABM.
- Supervised Apple devices: Performs a device wipe.
- Unsupervised Apple devices: Removes the MDM profile and configurations without wiping the device.
- Android: Factory resets company-owned devices (removing all data) or removes the work profile on personally owned devices.
Deleting a Device
NinjaOne administrators with the appropriate role and account permissions can delete devices from the NinjaOne console. This action removes the device and its associated information from your management system. Note that a device can be deleted whether or not it has been erased.
To delete a device, use one of the following methods:
Device Search Grid:
- Navigate to “Devices” in the NinjaOne console.
- Locate the target device in the search grid.
- Activate the checkbox to the left of the device name.
- Click “Delete” under the search filter.
Device Dashboard:
- Go to “Dashboard” > “Organization” > “Device“.
- Open the “Settings” tab.
- Click the trash can icon in the top right corner.