How to Remove Apple Device Enrollment (DEP) from iPhone, iPad & Mac

If your iPhone, iPad, or Mac displays a Remote Management screen during setup, or shows that the device is supervised and managed by an organization, it is likely enrolled in Apple Device Enrollment (formerly DEP). Many users encounter this issue after purchasing a second-hand device or receiving a company-owned device. The challenge is that factory resetting the device does not remove Apple Device Enrollment.

In this guide, you'll learn What Apple Device Enrollment (DEP) actually is, the difference between DEP, Apple Business Manager (ABM), and MDM, how to check whether your device is enrolled, and official methods to permanently remove DEP. Whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, this guide explains the safest and most effective solutions available in 2026.

What Is Apple Device Enrollment (DEP)?

Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP) was Apple's enterprise deployment service that allowed organizations to automatically configure and manage Apple devices during activation.

Today, DEP no longer exists as a standalone service. Apple has integrated it into Apple Business Manager (ABM) and Apple School Manager (ASM) under a feature called Automated Device Enrollment (ADE). When a DEP-enrolled device is activated, it automatically:

• Connects to Apple's activation servers
• Checks whether it belongs to an organization
• Downloads its assigned MDM profile
• Displays the Remote Management screen
• Applies organization policies automatically

This process happens every time the device is activated, even after erasing all content and settings.

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Why Can't a Factory Reset Remove DEP?

Many users believe erasing an iPhone or iPad will remove management restrictions. Unfortunately, that's not how DEP works.

Unlike a normal configuration profile stored locally on the device, DEP information is stored on Apple's activation servers. During activation, Apple's servers check the device's serial number to determine whether it's assigned to an organization. If the device is still assigned in Apple Business Manager, the Remote Management screen will return after every reset.

During our testing on an enrolled iPad running the latest iPadOS, erasing the device successfully removed all local data. However, once activation began, the device immediately contacted Apple's servers and downloaded the management configuration again. This confirms that a factory reset alone cannot remove DEP enrollment. Therefore, if you want to permanently remove DEP, the device must first be released from the organization's Apple Business Manager account.

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DEP vs. MDM vs. Apple Business Manager: What's the Difference?

Many users confuse DEP, MDM, Remote Management, and Apple Business Manager because they work together. However, they are different technologies.

Feature	Purpose	Managed By
Apple Business Manager (ABM)	Apple's cloud portal for managing company-owned devices	Apple
Automated Device Enrollment (DEP)	Automatically enrolls devices into management during activation	Apple Business Manager
MDM (Mobile Device Management)	Applies security policies, restrictions, and apps	Organization's MDM server
Remote Management Screen	Appears during setup when a device is assigned to an organization	MDM enrollment

A simple way to understand their relationship is:

• Apple Business Manager owns the device assignment.
• DEP (Automated Device Enrollment) automatically enrolls the device.
• MDM manages the device after enrollment.
• Remote Management is simply the setup screen users see during activation.

Because these systems work together, removing an MDM profile does not always remove DEP enrollment. If the device remains assigned in Apple Business Manager, it can automatically enroll again after the next factory reset.

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How to Check Whether Your Device Is DEP Enrolled

Before trying to remove DEP, it's important to verify whether your device is actually enrolled. You can check if your device is DEP enrolled by the following steps.

For iPhone and iPad:

• Step 1. Open the Settings app on your device.
• Step 2. Look at the top of Settings screen. If your device is supervised, you will see a message stating, "This iPhone is supervised and managed by [Organization Name]." If you don't see this message, your device is not DEP enrolled.

For macOS:

• Step 1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
• Step 2. Navigate to Privacy & Security, then scroll down and click on Profiles. If your Mac is enrolled, you will see a configuration profile from the managing organization listed here.

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How to Remove Apple Device Enrollment (DEP)

Once you've confirmed that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is enrolled in Apple Device Enrollment, the right removal method depends on who owns the device and whether you have access to the organization's management account. Below are the most practical methods to consider.

Method 1. Remove DEP in Settings

If you have the password of the admin account, you can remove DEP from your Apple device in settings directly:

On an iPhone or iPad:

• Step 1. Go to Settings and navigate to General > VPN & Device Management.
• Step 2. Click the profile and tap on Remove Management.
• Step 3. Enter the password to remove.
• 

On a Mac:

• Step 1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Profiles.
• Step 2. Select the management profile you wish to remove.
• Step 3. Click the minus (-) button at the bottom of the window and enter the required credentials to confirm the removal.

Method 2. Remove DEP from the Apple DEP Portal

If you have the account and password, you can also finish it from the DEP portal platform. Or if possible, you can ask the administrator to remove your device from DEP in this method:

• Step 1. Log in to the DEP portal. Enter the admin account and password.
• Step 2. Click Manage Devices on the left sidebar and select Serial Number.
• Step 3. Click Unassign Devices under the Choose Action.

Method 3. Release the Device in Apple Business/School Manager (ABM/ASM)

Apple has integrated DEP into the more modern Apple Business Manager (ABM) and Apple School Manager (ASM). The process here is called "releasing" a device.

• Step 1. Log in to Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager with an account that has Administrator or Device Enrollment Manager privileges.
• Step 2. Click on Devices in the sidebar and use the search bar to find the specific device by its serial number.
• Step 3. Select the device from the list and then click Release Device.
• 
• Step 4. You will need to check a box to confirm you understand that this action is permanent and cannot be undone. Click Release to finalize.
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Method 4. The Ultimate Way to Remove DEP Without a Password

If you cannot have access to the admin, or you forgot the password, you need a professional DEP removal tool to remove it without password. In this case, we recommend the TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

To get rid of the DEP on your Apple device, you do not need to jailbreak your iPhone with TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. It allows you to remove DEP easily without any passwords or expertise. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a powerful all-in-one tool, that helps users remove MDM restrictions, unlock their iPhones without password, reset Screen Time without passcode, and so on. What's more, it is compatible with most iOS device models.

Step 1. Connect Device to Computer

Install the TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer and connect your device to it. Then, hit on the Remove MDM option.

Step 2. Remove DEP Without Password

Click the Start button and the program will start to remove DEP on your Apple Device. This process will take a few minutes. Then you can take full control of your device.

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Can DEP Be Removed Permanently?

Yes—but only under certain circumstances.

The only permanent way to remove Apple Device Enrollment is for the organization that owns the device to release it from Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. Once released, Apple's activation servers no longer recognize the device as managed, and it will activate like a standard consumer device.

If you purchased a used iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is still enrolled, your first step should always be contacting the previous owner or the organization's IT administrator to request that the device be removed from their Apple Business Manager account. If that isn't possible, there are still a few workarounds that may help you access the device, although they do not permanently remove DEP from Apple's servers.

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FAQs About Apple DEP Removal

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The Bottom Line

Having a device locked by the Apple Device Enrollment Program can feel limiting, but a solution is always within reach. If you have the administrator credentials, you can easily remove the profile through the device's settings.

However, for the vast majority of users who have purchased a supervised device or don't have access to the administrator, the path is just as clear. A trusted and effective tool like TunesKit iPhone Unlocker offers a simple, one-click solution to permanently remove the DEP/MDM profile, giving you back the full, unrestricted use of your iPhone or iPad.