Classroom requirements for classes synced with Apple School Manager
If you’re using iPadOS 14.5 or later or macOS 11.3 or later, you can connect to classes in nearby, remote, and hybrid configurations in Classroom using your Managed Apple ID from Apple School Manager and then invite other teachers and students to the class. No mobile device management (MDM) solution is required, although integrating with one can change how the student devices function in the classes. These classes aren’t compatible with the education configuration profile from the MDM solution that creates MDM-synced classes.
Note: You can create nearby classes using iPadOS 14 and macOS 11.
Features
Classes synced with Apple School Manager offer the following features:
You can create classes in the latest versions of Classroom or Schoolwork if you have the appropriate privileges in Apple School Manager.
You can see any existing classes created in Apple School Manager by other accounts with the appropriate privileges to create classes.
Classes appear automatically and can be used on the same device, regardless of how they were created.
Classes sync to all devices with a Managed Apple ID.
Class names also don’t have to be unique. For example, you could have two classes named “Science” in the same location, with one class for seventh-grade students and the other class for eighth-grade students.
Available actions
While the class is active, you can perform the following actions:
Open apps.
Navigate multiple students to Safari or Apple Books.
View students’ screens.
Reset a Managed Apple ID password with Classroom.
View and lock students’ screens (“lock students’ screens” is for nearby classes only).
Mute student devices (nearby classes only).
AirPlay a single student’s screen (nearby classes only).
Locations
When you create a class, you must select an Apple School Manager location you’re associated with for the class and you must have the ability to create, edit, and delete classes in that location. Because these classes can’t be moved from location to location, if you need to move a class from one location to another, you must delete the class and add another one in the new location.
Students and additional teachers
After you create your class and select a location, you can invite students. Students must be associated with the same location in Apple School Manager where the class was created. When students are added, those classes appear in their class list.
You can also add additional teachers to the class. The teachers must also be associated with the same location where the class was created.
Classes that interact with Apple School Manager can’t use student images. Instead, that space shows students’ initials.
Infrastructure requirements
To use Classroom with classes synced with Apple School Manager, you must have the infrastructure configurations listed below.
Infrastructure configurations | Requirement |
|---|---|
Wi-Fi with client-to-client communication enabled | Nearby: Mandatory Remote: Not applicable |
Network requirements | Nearby: The network must be configured in accordance with the Apple Support article Use Apple products on enterprise networks. Remote: The device must have access to the internet. |
Open ports:
Note: Port 3283 can no longer be used for Classroom app communication. | Nearby: Mandatory Remote: Not applicable |
Mobile device management (MDM) | Optional |
Teacher device requirements
These are the device requirements for teachers using Classroom classes synced with Apple School Manager.
Configuration | Requirement |
|---|---|
iPad model | All iPad Pro models iPad 5th generation or later iPad Air 4th generation iPad Air 3rd generation iPad Air 2 iPad mini 5th generation iPad mini 4 |
Mac model | MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later) MacBook Air (2013 or later) MacBook (2015 or later) Mac mini (2014 or later) iMac (2014 or later) iMac Pro (2017 or later) Mac Pro (Late 2013 or later) |
Minimum supported iPadOS version | Nearby: iPadOS 14.5 Remote: iPadOS 14.5 |
Minimum supported macOS version | Nearby: macOS 11.3 Remote: macOS 11.3 |
Bluetooth enabled | Nearby: Mandatory Remote: Not applicable |
Set up as Shared iPad | Not permitted |
Supervision | Optional |
Roster data | Must appear in Apple School Manager using one of the following methods to create classes:
Note: You must have the ability to create, edit, and delete classes in Apple School Manager. If you don’t, you’ll be unable to create classes after signing in with your Managed Apple ID. For more information, see Role privileges in the Apple School Manager User Guide. |
Device enrolled in MDM | Optional |
Managed Apple IDs | Mandatory |
Student device requirements
These are the device requirements for students joining Classroom classes synced with Apple School Manager.
Configuration | Shared iPad requirements | One-to-one iPad requirements | Mac requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
Supported hardware | All iPad Pro models iPad 5th generation or later iPad Air 4th generation iPad Air 3rd generation iPad Air 2 iPad mini 5th generation iPad mini 4 | All iPad Pro models iPad 5th generation or later iPad Air 4th generation iPad Air 3rd generation iPad Air 2 iPad mini 5th generation iPad mini 4 | MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later) MacBook Air (2013 or later) MacBook (2015 or later) Mac mini (2014 or later) iMac (2014 or later) iMac Pro (2017 or later) Mac Pro (Late 2013 or later) |
Minimum supported operating system | iPadOS 14.5 | Nearby: iPadOS 14.5 Remote: iPadOS 14.5 | Nearby: macOS 11.3 Remote: macOS 11.3 |
Bluetooth enabled | Mandatory | Nearby: Mandatory Remote: Not applicable | Nearby: Mandatory Remote: Not applicable |
Supervision | Mandatory | Optional | Optional |
Device enrolled in MDM | Mandatory | Optional | Optional |
Managed Apple IDs | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |