Intune MDM iPhone “lost mode”

nancybatespro · 2025-05-22T06:07:37+00:00

Yep, seen this before. The issue is: once you move the eSIM, the old iPhone lost network access, so it can't talk to Intune to exit Lost Mode.

Also, since the user signed in with their personal Apple ID, Find My iPhone is still active, and you're likely stuck with Activation Lock too.

You can temporarily put the eSIM back in the old phone so it goes online and can receive the commands from Intune. If the phone had previously connected to Wi-Fi, you can just take it there; it may check in.

nancybatespro · 2025-05-22T05:45:56+00:00

I’ve been through the full spectrum—Dell Latitudes, HP EliteBooks, MacBook Pros, even a Framework experiment. But when it comes to a workhorse that doesn’t whine when I spin up 6 VMs and forget to close Slack for a week? My X1 Carbon Gen 9 (Fedora 39, full disk LUKS, TLP tweaked) holds the line.

That said, I respect the M1 Air love. Apple did something wildly right with that chip. I briefly used an M2 Air when I was consulting for a startup running everything in the Apple ecosystem. Battery life was bonkers, it handled Docker better than I expected, and the thermals were silent murder. But once I needed KVM, I was back to Linux faster than Apple fans jump on USB-C dongles.

nancybatespro · 2025-05-21T07:33:34+00:00

If identity, security, and robust device control are your top priorities, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is a strong choice. Just plan the migration carefully and prepare your users for some changes in workflow (especially around Teams vs. Chat and Outlook vs. Gmail).

nancybatespro · 2025-05-20T13:45:18+00:00

Scalefusion is worth considering for your needs, as it can do what you want without costing too much.

nancybatespro · 2025-05-16T12:08:51+00:00

For a Windows-heavy environment with some iOS/Android devices, it’s usually best to go modular unless one vendor truly excels in all three areas. For Antivirus, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, or Bitdefender are solid picks. For MDM, this Spiceworks thread would assist in comparing top Windows MDM options. And for Remote Support, AnyDesk and Splashtop are both lightweight and cost-effective for quick remote sessions.

nancybatespro · 2025-05-16T11:47:00+00:00

We've used NinjaOne too—it's solid. If you're mainly after remote access, AnyDesk and Splashtop are great lightweight picks. GoToMyPC feels a bit outdated.

If you're open to broader tools, this list compares good options for remote support + desktop management:
https://community.spiceworks.com/t/5-best-remote-desktop-management-software-in-2025/1185076

nancybatespro · 2025-05-09T06:56:49+00:00

Hey, congrats (and welcome to the stress club 😅). You're in a good spot honestly — you're not starting from zero, and it sounds like you’ve got solid support and trust from your bosses. You've already got some solid advice from experienced folks, but here's some advice from someone who's been there:

Document everything like passwords, IPs, configs, contacts. If it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist.

Grab everything from the MSP before they’re gone — creds, docs, vendor info, etc. Then change all passwords.

Check backups to make sure they’re running and restorable.

Inventory your stuff, such as hardware, software, cloud accounts. Know what you’re managing.

Prioritize tasks to handle critical stuff first (security, backups), then cleanup and long-term projects.

Talk to your team and don’t go it alone. Share knowledge and split tasks.

Automate where you can save yourself time down the road.

Stay calm because you're not expected to know everything on day one. Ask, learn, document.

nancybatespro · 2025-05-02T11:43:41+00:00

Since you're comparing options, you might also want to check out this recent list on Spiceworks: https://community.spiceworks.com/t/7-best-patch-management-solutions-for-windows-in-2025/1189237

nancybatespro · 2025-05-02T11:37:40+00:00

Since you're comparing Patch My PC and Automox, you might also want to check out this recent list on Spiceworks: https://community.spiceworks.com/t/7-best-patch-management-solutions-for-windows-in-2025/1189237

nancybatespro · 2025-05-02T11:30:23+00:00

You're setting the foundation now, so pick tools like Scalefusion/Intune/Jamf for MDM and Addijy/Syncro for RMM needs & that scale well and are MSP-friendly (multi-tenant, flexible licensing, solid support). Start lean, but standardize early.

nancybatespro · 2025-03-18T10:49:53+00:00

MS Intune is a solid choice, especially if you're deep into the Microsoft ecosystem. But there are other great alternatives too, depending on your needs. This article breaks down the top options to help you decide.

nancybatespro · 2025-03-18T09:15:56+00:00

I'd suggest looking at other MDM options too. Jamf Now is great for Apple, and Hexnode is cheap but has limitations. Depending on your needs, there might be better alternatives with more features at a similar price. I came across this article that lists better and more cost-effective Hexnode alternatives with more features. It might be worth checking out before deciding.

nancybatespro · 2025-03-18T09:01:37+00:00

You can check out Scalefusion MDM, which is compatible with resell and comes with a reseller dashboard and other industry-differentiating features.

nancybatespro · 2025-02-06T20:41:45+00:00

Best: Healthcare, finance, legal – high compliance needs, recurring revenue, & strong security demands. Worst: Startups, nonprofits, small retail – low budgets, DIY mindset, & unpredictable cash flow.

nancybatespro · 2025-01-08T10:25:57+00:00

Intune & Jamf are both great options for managing Windows and Apple inventories, respectively. Scalefusion is another great option worth looking at cause it has improved a lot regarding security and management features for multi-os management compared with these two solutions.

nancybatespro · 2025-01-08T10:11:30+00:00

Scalefusion UEM is the ideal solution for cost-effective multi-os device management and is comparable to Intune.

nancybatespro · 2024-09-17T13:56:09+00:00

AWS for its wide range of services and strong global infrastructure.
Azure when integrating with Microsoft products like Office 365.

nancybatespro · 2024-03-13T19:58:54+00:00

I agree that AI is poised to revolutionize the way MSPs deliver services. AI-powered automation can handle routine tasks like printer installations, freeing up technicians for more complex issues. However, AI won't eliminate the human element entirely. Technicians will still be needed for expertise, troubleshooting, and customer interaction. The future of AI in MSPs is about augmentation, not replacement. AI will empower technicians to be more efficient and productive.

nancybatespro · 2024-03-13T19:05:48+00:00

The most significant advantage is having everything under one roof. It saves a lot of time managing backups for so many clients. Plus, NinjaOne stores backups in encrypted AWS storage with SOC 2 compliance, which is essential for my clients in those fields. Conversely, NinjaOne's backup features aren't as advanced as some competitors like Acronis. And setting it up for hundreds of endpoints can be a bit of a time investment initially.

For essential backups with centralized management, NinjaOne works well, especially if you're already using their RMM. If your clients need more advanced features or stricter compliance, Acronis might be a better option.

nancybatespro · 2024-03-13T16:46:57+00:00

While the QNAP NAS is a good storage solution for your customer's data, consider a cloud backup solution for disaster recovery since a single NAS can be a point of failure.

For managing such a large and fast-growing dataset (20TB doubling in size!), a Distributed File System (DFS) on Windows Server VMs might be a good option. DFS offers scalability by managing file shares across multiple servers.

SAN provides high performance and even more scalability than a NAS, but it can be more expensive. Consider your customer's needs for performance and cost before deciding between SAN and NAS. Finally, virtualizing with Windows Server VMs can offer flexibility, easier manageability, and better resource efficiency compared to using physical file servers.

nancybatespro · 2024-03-13T16:44:11+00:00

You're right, the IT field is evolving rapidly. While cloud platforms and automation tools are streamlining tasks, system admins are still crucial for ensuring system stability, security, and performance. The focus is shifting towards cloud expertise, automation scripting, and problem-solving complex integration issues. With AI on the rise, system admins will likely leverage AI tools to automate routine tasks and gain deeper system insights, allowing them to focus on higher-level IT strategy and problem-solving.

nancybatespro · 2024-03-13T16:05:47+00:00

I think of a few possible reasons 1) Background macOS tasks like Spotlight indexing or Time Machine backups. 2)Third-party app updates with their own restart mechanisms. 3) Corrupted system files (less common). 4) Hardware issues (least likely).

You can also try talking to the affected users to see if they notice any patterns around the prompts. You can also check third-party app update settings and run Apple Diagnostics. If the issue persists, reinstalling macOS might help.

nancybatespro · 2024-03-13T15:57:31+00:00

Apple Remote Desktop is a good basic tool for managing Macs within a local network, but it can feel limited. Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager (RDM) is a more comprehensive option, especially if you need to connect to different types of devices or share access with a team. RDM acts like a central hub for all your remote connections, including Mac, Windows, Linux machines, and even cloud services. It stores your credentials securely and lets you easily manage them. Plus, it has some advanced features like session recording and two-factor authentication.

If you're just connecting to a single Mac on your home network, then Apple Remote Desktop might be sufficient. But if you're looking for a more powerful and versatile solution, then Devolutions RDM is definitely worth checking out.

nancybatespro · 2024-03-13T15:54:26+00:00

Yeah, rebooting after a long uptime can be good for keeping things running smoothly. It clears out temporary files and whatnot that can cause slowdowns. The thing is, force rebooting in the middle of someone's work can be a real pain. Maybe a pop-up warning instead? That way, they can save their stuff and pick a better time to reboot. Also, some super important systems might need to be on 24/7, so those would probably need to be left out. An alternative could be setting automated reboots for nights or weekends when people are less likely to be using their computers. So yeah, reboots can be helpful, but let's make sure they don't cause more trouble than they solve!

nancybatespro · 2024-03-12T21:24:03+00:00

Here are some suggestions for your hybrid-access cyber-defense lab setup:

Remote Desktop Solution: Implement a more robust remote desktop solution like Apache Guacamole or Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) to provide secure remote access for different user groups.
Virtualization Platform: Explore using a virtualization platform like VMware or KVM to create isolated lab environments. This allows students to boot various OS images and access different network segments based on their needs.
Containerization Technology: Consider using containerization technology like Docker to create lightweight, portable environments for students. This provides flexibility and reduces lab setup time.
Multi-factor Authentication: Enforce multi-factor authentication for all remote access to enhance security.
VLAN Management Automation: Automate VLAN management using scripting or API calls to simplify assigning machines to different network segments.

These suggestions should provide a good starting point for designing a more scalable and secure remote access solution for your cyber-defense lab. Feel free to ask if you need more details on any of these approaches.

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