Resolving issues encountered during Apple VPP integration with Hexnode on Mac

Organizations can easily purchase, distribute and manage apps and books in bulk with Apple’s Volume Purchase Program. Hexnode UEM integrated with VPP enables enterprises to silently deploy apps and books to macOS devices. The common errors caused while integrating Hexnode UEM and VPP are:

1. Unable to deploy VPP apps to devices via Hexnode

Issue:

The VPP app Install Application command fails in the Action History tab with the error message “No available application license was found.”

Probable Solution:

This could be due to the lack of unassigned app licenses. From the Apple Business Manager/ Apple School Manager console, you can revoke app licenses that are no longer needed to acquire unassigned licenses or purchase new licenses for the app.

2. Unable to contact the VPP server for app sync

Issue:

Hexnode cannot sync VPP apps purchased for your organizational account.

Probable Solution:

When attempting to purchase additional paid features for VPP apps via in-app purchasing, an error message “You are not allowed to make purchase” appears. It could be due to a communication problem between the Hexnode server and the vpp server from where the apps are purchased.

First, ensure Apple service is available at the moment. To allow access to the VPP server, whitelist the domain “vpp.itunes.apple.com” along with all other ports and domains in your proxy/firewall.

This might also be due to the expiration of the VPP token. Hexnode and Apple VPP can no longer connect with each other if the VPP token put up on the UEM server has expired, causing the sync operation to fail. To re-establish communication, try renewing the VPP token.

3. In-app purchases in VPP apps are blocked

Issue:

When attempting to purchase additional paid features for VPP apps via in-app purchasing, an error message “You are not allowed to make purchase” appears.

Probable Solution:

This error is shown because Apple does not support in-app purchases for VPP apps.

To enable in-app purchases for an app, you must install it through the Apple App Store rather than VPP. Users will be allowed to make in-app purchases with their own Apple ID through the Apple store. Finally, organizations can repay the users for their expenses.

Another option is to ask the developer to create and publish a new version of the same software with in-app purchases included as built-in features. In this instance, the developer will have to maintain two different versions of the same app, one with extra built-in features and the other with limited features. However, the developer has complete control over this.

4. The VPP app is not installing on the device

Issue:

The VPP app is not installed on the device when pushed through the Hexnode console.

Probable Solution:

You have to verify that the VPP app’s token used to integrate with Hexnode is not shared with any other UEM/MDM to avoid revoking of license assigned to devices in Hexnode UEM. Also, ensure that devices can access the domain “vpp.itunes.apple.com” through a firewall/proxy.