Apple’s free MDM and when to pay
From 14 April 2026 Apple combined its older portals into Apple Business, with free basic device management. A shop that only assigns devices and sends a few commands can stay on Apple’s portal. When you need tiered locks, VietQR, VAT invoices, Vietnamese operations and support from 8am to 9pm, connect a paid MDM. ABMDM is priced per device and does not replace Apple’s portal.
Apple’s free layer is basic device management
From 14 April 2026, Apple Business Manager, Apple Business Essentials and Apple Business Connect merged into Apple Business, with free basic device management. A shop can assign devices, receive business-channel units and send some commands on Apple’s portal.
That is not instalment lock tiers, not VietQR on the lock screen, and not a Vietnamese VAT invoice. What Apple Business is covers the portal. This article is only the “when to upgrade” line.
“Free MDM” is easy to read as “costs nothing and does every lock”. The free part is Apple’s basic layer. Shop operations in Vietnam — lock tiers, VietQR, VAT, Vietnamese, 8am–9pm support — sit on a paid MDM if you need those jobs.
When to stay on Apple’s portal
- A few dozen company phones that only need enrolment and a lock if lost.
- No instalments, no Zalo alerts, no accounting API.
- The person in charge can read Apple’s English portal and accept Apple’s support hours.
You still need a legal entity, a D-U-N-S number and a company-domain email. Registration: how to register for Apple Business.
Compare by solution group: manual setup, free management in Apple Business, paid MDM.
When to connect a paid MDM
- Instalments / leases: lock tiers, 7am–9pm reminders, VietQR auto-unlock.
- Several branches, roles, logs.
- VAT invoices, VND pricing, Zalo support 8am–9pm.
- API and webhooks into software you already run.
ABMDM does not replace Apple’s portal: you connect a management server; devices still belong to the organisation on Apple Business. Cost: MDM software pricing.
| Need | Apple portal (free basic) | Paid MDM (ABMDM) |
|---|---|---|
| Assign devices, basic commands | Yes | Yes, after you connect |
| Lock tiers, VietQR | Not the portal’s job | Yes |
| Vietnamese VAT invoice | No | Yes |
| DDM, Knox Guard, single-app kiosk | Apple’s side | Coming soon / in development — do not promise |
DDM, silent app purchase, single-app iPad lock and Android/Knox Guard on ABMDM are Coming soon or in development. Do not upgrade “today so we get those immediately”. Upgrade for lock tiers, VietQR, VAT and Vietnamese — the work that already ships.
Upgrading does not mean leaving Apple’s portal
ABMDM connects to Apple Business. Devices still belong to the organisation on Apple’s portal. Losing a paid MDM connection does not mean “the free portal disappears”. Do not delete the Apple Business account while you try ABMDM.
If you only need to assign serials and send a few commands, stay on the portal. If the evening shift must unlock a phone when a customer pays, Apple’s portal will not show VietQR for you. That is a clear upgrade line, not a “because DDM” line.
DDM, Knox Guard and single-app kiosk on ABMDM are Coming soon or in development. They are not this week’s upgrade reason. This week’s reason is lock tiers, 7am–9pm reminders, VAT, Vietnamese and 8am–9pm support — live work on features.
Cost if you stay, cost if you connect
Apple’s portal: no basic management fee as Apple described after 14 April 2026. You still pay people’s time and you still pay for hardware. Paid MDM: per-device seats, six-month term. Starter 150,000 VND per device; Professional 100,000 VND plus 6,650,000 VND activation. Trial 14 days, five devices, no prepayment.
Portal filing at 13,000,000 VND is a done-for-you service, not a “fee for free MDM”. If you already have an account, you do not pay that line.
Manual setup on each phone: no portal, no MDM, cheap software, expensive when someone leaves or a customer is overdue. That solution group sits on the compare page.
Trial 14 days, up to five devices. Call 0913 081 986 (8am–9pm).
All articles · What is MDM? Mobile device management for business · What is Apple Business? The change from April 2026 · How to register Apple Business in Vietnam
Frequently asked questions
Does free Apple Business replace a paid MDM?
It is enough if you only assign devices and send a few basic commands. If you need lock tiers, VietQR, VAT invoices and Vietnamese, connect a paid MDM.
Does Apple Business Manager still exist after 14 April 2026?
Apple merged the old portals into Apple Business, with free basic device management. The old name is only so you are not lost. Use the new name.
Does Apple’s portal issue a Vietnamese VAT invoice?
Apple’s portal does not replace a local service. ABMDM issues VAT, prices in VND, and supports 8am–9pm.
Must we use ABMDM after we register for Apple Business?
No. You choose an MDM later. Connect ABMDM when local operations need more than basic commands.
What does ABMDM cost?
Per device seat, six-month term. Starter 150,000 VND per device; Professional 100,000 VND plus a 6,650,000 VND activation fee. See pricing.
Does Apple’s free MDM lock instalment phones?
Free basic management is not lock tiers, VietQR or 7am–9pm reminders. That work sits on a paid MDM connected to the portal.
Want advice tailored to how you operate?
Call 0913 081 986 (8am–9pm, every day) or leave your details and we will call you back.