Restricting uninstallation of managed iOS apps

Administrators can restrict users from uninstalling managed iOS apps that are deployed to devices.

After deployment, managed apps that are marked as non-removable cannot be uninstalled by end-users. This feature ensures that users always have mission-critical apps available on their devices.

Note:
  • Requires iOS 14 or later.
  • Supported for managed iOS apps only.
  • Supported on both supervised and non-supervised devices, except for User Enrolled devices.

Marking an app as non-removable

You can mark new apps and existing apps as non-removable from the Add App workflow and from the App Summary page.

Follow these steps to mark a new app as non-removable from the Add App workflow:
  1. When adding an iTunes or enterprise app, select the Policies and Distribution tab.
  2. Select the Restrict Uninstall by User attribute in the Security Policies section.
    Non-removable Add App workflow
Follow these steps to mark an existing app as non-removable from the App Summary page:
  1. Open the App Summary page and then select Restrict Uninstall by User attribute in the Security Policies section.
    Non-removable App Summary

    Note: The command is automatically issued to all devices in the distribution target without having to redistribute.

FAQs

  • Will apps respect app removal commands?

    Non-removable apps are deleted when the device receives app removal commands from the MaaS360 Portal such as Remove on stopping distribution or Remove on MDM control removal.

  • What happens when users try to uninstall the app?

    The uninstall is restricted and the following alert is displayed:
    Alert non-removable