autonomousSingleAppModePermittedAppIDs Key in Restrictions payload - iOS 7 MDM

Question

I have recently started working with Apple Configurator to use features meant for Supervised devices.

In the Restrictions payload there's a key called autonomousSingleAppModePermittedAppIDs with the description below

Optional. Supervised only. If present, allows apps identified by the bundle IDs listed in the array to autonomously enter Single App Mode.
Availability: Available only in iOS 7.0 and later.

I tried sending this key in the restrictions payload with a couple of app identifiers, but could not find any change in the behaviour of the OS. The Guided Access allowed all apps to enter into the SingleApp mode.

What I understand (and expect) from this is we can allow a list of apps to enter Guided Access (Single App) mode and no other app except the allowed ones will be visible on the device. Can you help me understand the things I'm missing or misunderstanding.

Answer 1

I believe the idea of this key that application itself can request a guided mode (vs guided mode triggered by a user or AppLock profile).

I believe application should use following API to request a guided mode:

void UIAccessibilityRequestGuidedAccessSession(BOOL enable, void(^completionHandler)(BOOL didSucceed));

In the case, if it's not on this list, this request will be rejected.

P.S. A device needs to be supervised.

Answer 2

Apple Configurator doesn't have the settings to manage "autonomousSingleAppModePermittedAppIDs"

Instead I decided to manually edit a profile and include the appropriate XML with the above key (referenced from here).

Upon trying to install the modified profile, Configurator explicitly says "The profile must be installed by a Mobile Device Management server."

The profile will install fine if this key/value pair is removed.

It looks like you MUST use an MDM to install a profile for use with Autonomous Single App Mode.

Answer 3

I was not able to find autonomousSingleAppModePermittedAppIDs in Apple Configurator. Looks like need to buy Apple Profile Manager (OS X Server in the App Store) for this which costs about $20.