Return to Service feature for tvOS
What
Even though devices can be erased remotely, getting them back into service is a manual process, as it requires someone to physically touch them and take them through Setup Assistant. Apple is removing the additional manual step with the introduction of Return to Service for tvOS. This feature was added in FileWave version 15.5.0 for tvOS 18. For iOS/iPadOS this same feature was added in FileWave 15.1.0.
When/Why
Return To Service is the following process. The MDM server sends an EraseDevice command to the device. The command includes additional information which allows the device to reset, securely erase all data, connect to Wi-Fi, enroll into MDM, and get back to the Home Screen, ready to be used.
How
With FileWave 15.5.0 support of Return To Service was added for tvOS. To use Return To Service open Remote Wipe dialog for tvOS device. Checkbox Return To Service allows to specify whether feature should be enabled or disabled. It can be checked only if Remove Activation Lock checkbox is checked as well. The feature can be used only if there is at least one configured Wi-Fi profile (fileset containing Network payload with Network Interface “Wi-Fi“). Available Wi-Fi profiles are displayed on combobox. This allows Wi-Fi only Apple TVs to have zero-touch wipe and re-enroll process.
If you use Ethernet for your AppleTV devices you can still use Return To Service, but you'll essentially send a WiFi profile to them that the device won't use since Ethernet is connected.
What happens on the device?
If Return To Service is enabled on FileWave side and then Wipe Device button is pressed, the device will be wiped and then connected to the Wi-Fi network specified in selected Wi-Fi profile without asking password. Also MDM profile will remain on the device, there will be no need for it to re-enroll in MDM.
Related Content
- Insert here links to any articles that relate to this content.
Digging Deeper
Want to provide more detail or other examples? Want to wax poetic? Do that here, and keep the top of these documents crisp and clean.