Guides
How to enroll a phone, work with the station, make a backup and fix common errors.
Full guides with screenshots
Putting an iPhone under control
Full guide with screenshots: from the dashboard and Apple Configurator to activation and the “Under control” status.
Enrolling an iPhone with the station
The station app on the Mac does almost everything itself. The operator connects the phone and follows the prompts.
Backup with the station
Take a backup from the customer’s old phone and apply it to the new iPhone after enrollment.
Enrollment
How iPhone enrollment via the website works
Four steps of iPhone enrollment via the website: sale → profile via Configurator → Apple confirmation → activation.
How iPhone enrollment via the station works
How the station enrolls an iPhone: 6 steps from the cable to “Enrolled”.
iPhone is not activated — the station won't start enrollment
The station says “iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi yet (not activated)”. The phone must be erased and brought to the “Data & Privacy” screen: language → region → Wi-Fi.
Cable was unplugged while waiting for Apple
The station says “CABLE UNPLUGGED!”. Apple's confirmation runs on the server and is not interrupted; the station just cannot see the phone. Plug the cable back in.
Station
Phone doesn't trust this Mac
The station sees the phone but can't read it: “Trust This Computer” wasn't tapped on the iPhone. Happens both during enrollment and backup.
Station won't open or update on the Mac
After installing or updating, the station doesn't start: an icon with a question mark, “damaged”, “can't be opened” or “launched from a quarantine path”. It's macOS quarantine or launching from outside “Applications”.
Station: no connection to the server
The station says “no connection to the server”, “fetch failed” or error 503. Most often it's the internet on the Mac or a short service outage. The phone isn't harmed, the enrollment isn't lost.
Backup and restore
The station doesn't see the iPhone on the cable
The station can't find the phone over the cable. It's usually the cable, the port or a hub between the phone and the Mac.
Not enough space on the Mac for the backup
The most common cause of backup errors. The station shows how many GB are missing. Free up space on the Mac and start over.
The phone is locked with a passcode
The station won't make a backup while the iPhone screen is locked. Unlock the phone and start over.
Low battery or phone setup not completed
The station won't start the backup: the phone's battery is low or the initial setup isn't completed. The partner fixes it themselves and taps “Start over”.
Connection to the phone dropped during the backup
The backup transfer was interrupted. Most often it's the cable: a bend, a loose contact or a hub between the phone and the Mac.
Restore not allowed: "Find My iPhone" is on
Apple won't let you restore a backup while "Find My" is on on the phone. Only the customer can turn it off — their Apple ID password is needed.