Skip to content

The Better Way to Migrate iOS and iPadOS Devices

Adam Henry Adam Henry
The Better Way to Migrate iOS and iPadOS Devices

Moving to a new device management solution has never been easier. With iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, we're introducing support for a powerful migration feature that transform how organizations transition their iPhone and iPad fleet to Iru.

Migration without the wait

Device management migration should be straightforward, seamless, and easy. That's why we've embraced Apple's device management service migration, a feature that eliminates the need for factory resets when moving company-owned devices between device management solutions.

To migrate to Iru with the new, native migration, assign devices to Iru through Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, set a migration deadline, and let the experience guide itself.

 

Users receive a notification about the upcoming change, with the flexibility to migrate immediately or defer until they're ready. When the time comes, a quick restart is all it takes. No data loss or long setup.

Activation Lock comes with you

Activation Lock automatically transfers to Iru during the migration process. New bypass codes are generated, collected, and stored securely in Iru. This ensures your device security posture is maintained post-migration, keeping your users and devices safe. 

Apps stay where they belong

When devices migrate to Iru, your essential managed apps stay right where they are; installed, configured, and ready to use when migration completes, with all existing data kept intact. The apps your team relies on remain untouched, maintaining their settings and data throughout the transition.

Getting started

Enabling these features is straightforward:

Set up migration in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager by assigning devices to your Iru server and establishing a migration deadline. Monitor incoming devices through Iru's Automated Device Enrollment page, where migration deadlines appear in an optional column.

Enable Activation Lock preservation by adding an Automated Device Enrollment Library Item to your Blueprint with Activation Lock enabled. We recommend matching the Activation Lock type (user-based vs. device-based) with your original device management service. This ensures your security measures transfer seamlessly.

Preserve your apps by enabling preserve managed apps during migration in your Automated Device Enrollment Library Item. Add the App Store and in-house apps you want to keep to your enrollment Blueprint. Apply any managed app configurations to maintain consistency across your fleet before and after migration.

What This Means for You

This migration feature protects your time and your users' experience.

No more scheduling downtime for device wipes. No more coordinating mass app re-installations. No more physical device swaps. No more explaining to users why their familiar tools have disappeared.

Just a clean, confident transition that happens in the background while your team keeps working.

That's the power of thoughtful design meeting practical needs. And it's available now with Iru for all devices running iOS 26+ and iPadOS 26+.


Learn more about device management migration here.

Recent Articles

Featured image: Windows 26H2 is here: Move your devices with Iru
Dexter Burgess • 2 min read

Windows 26H2 is here: Move your devices with Iru

Windows 11 version 26H2 is available from Microsoft as of September 29, 2026, and Iru now supports it. 26H2 is delivered as an enablement package on top of 24H2 and 25H2, so devices update with a small download and one restart. For more information, visit the Microsoft website.

Product News
Featured image: Managed OS: Deeper control over every Apple OS update
Dexter Burgess • 3 min read

Managed OS: Deeper control over every Apple OS update

The Managed OS Library Item for Apple devices has received several updates recently, and they share one theme: deeper control. Admins can now be more precise about which macOS versions devices get, when they get them, and which devices are eligible.

Product News
Featured image: macOS 27: Great new privacy capabilities for IT… if you can use them
Mike Boylan • 4 min read

macOS 27: Great new privacy capabilities for IT… if you can use them

Apple's newest privacy controls in macOS 27 only work if your users are MDM-enabled, and only once they've actually shipped in your device management platform. A lot of fleets will hit both walls.

Thought Leadership

See Iru in action

Discover why thousands of teams choose Iru

By submitting this form I agree to Iru’s Privacy Policy and consent to be contacted by Iru about its products and services.

Stay up to date

Iru's bi-weekly collection of articles, videos, and research to keep IT & Security teams ahead of the curve.