Endpoint Services, Jamf Pro, Purchasing Apple VPP Apps

This article covers the purchase of macOS and iOS Apple Volume Purchase Program (VPP) applications for deployment via Jamf Pro.

Systems

Jamf Pro

Affected Customers

University of Illinois IT Pros leveraging Technology Services Endpoint Services Jamf Pro

General Information

Jamf Pro allows campus units to purchase and distribute Apple App Store software for installation on university-managed macOS and iOS devices without violating state policy. Apps are distributed through Apple’s Volume Purchase Program (VPP) and scoped to devices using Smart Groups.

⚠ Note: macOS App Store apps deployed by IT pros will prompt end users to sign in with an Apple Account. To avoid this, follow the steps below to submit a Volume Purchase Program (VPP) request to the Endpoint Services team.

Actions

Create a Smart Group

If you don't already have one in place, you'll need to create a Smart Group in Jamf Pro for the Endpoint Services (EPS) team to use when assigning your Volume Purchase Program (VPP) application. Smart Groups determine which devices will receive the application.

  1. Sign in to the Jamf Pro console.
  2. Using the dropdown menu in the top-right corner, navigate to your unit's site.
  3. From the left-hand sidebar, navigate to Computers → Smart Computer Groups or Devices → Smart Device Groups, depending on the platform.
  4. Click the "New" button to create a new Smart Group.
  5. Enter a name for the new group using the naming convention Site Prefix - Application - [Description]. For example: EPS - Keynote - Auto.
  6. Define group membership scope criteria (such as computer name, Enrollment Method: PreStage enrollment, etc.) depending on how you want the app scoped.
    • Note there is a "Show Advanced Criteria" button that is necessary to reveal some criteria 
  7. Click "Save" when finished.

Submit a (Free or Paid) Apple App Purchase request

Once a Smart Group has been created for the VPP application, submit a VPP purchase request, selecting Jamf Pro from the 'Service' dropdown and Apple App Purchase (Free or Paid) from the 'Request Type' dropdown. Please provide the following information:

  • Application name
  • If not free, the application cost
  • If not free, a University CFOP / Banner account for the purchase
  • Number of licenses needed
  • App deployment type (Automatic or On-Demand)
  • Smart Group name

Contact the EPS team


Keywords:
macos ios vpp apple application app volume "volume purchase program" endpoint EPS mdm jamf pro "jamf pro" TechS-EPS-Jamf 
Doc ID:
153547
Owned by:
EPS Distribution List G. in University of Illinois Technology Services
Created:
2025-07-17
Updated:
2025-10-21
Sites:
University of Illinois Technology Services