Using iBeacon Regions with Jamf School
Jamf School allows you to use Apple’s iBeacon technology to monitor when devices enter or exit an iBeacon region. This allows you to install profiles, documents, and apps when the device is in the specified region and remove them when the device exits the region.
When creating iBeacon regions, keep the following best practices in mind:
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Make sure that the Jamf School Student app is not blocklisted. The Jamf School Student app is used to monitor the iBeacons on your iPads.
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The Jamf School Student app needs to be opened at least once to monitor the iBeacons. You can send an Attention Message using the Jamf Teacher app to force the students iPads to open the Jamf School Student app.
General Requirements
To monitor iBeacon Regions, you need:
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Devices with iOS 7 or later
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A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capable iOS device
Bluetooth Low Energy is available on iPhone 4S or later, iPad 3rd generation or later, and iPad Mini 1st generation or later -
Bluetooth enabled
Note: It is recommended you create a new profile and deselect the Allow Changes to Bluetooth settings checkbox in the Restrictions payload to make sure students cannot turn off Bluetooth on their device. For more information, see Configuring a Restrictions Profile.
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The Jamf School Student app installed on devices and managed by Jamf School (For more information, Configuring the Jamf School Student App in Jamf School.)
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Location Services enabled
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One or more iBeacon devices
Creating an iBeacon Region
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In Jamf School, navigate to Organization > Settings in the sidebar.
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Select the iBeacons payload.
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Click Add iBeacon.
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Enter the name and an optional description for the iBeacon you want to add.
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Define the iBeacon region by specifying the UUID, and optionally the major and minor values.
If the UUID is only specified, the major and minor values will be set as wild cards and the region will match any iBeacons with the same UUID. Similarly, if only the UUID and major value are specified, the minor value will be set as a wild card and the region will match any iBeacons with the same UUID and major value. -
Click Save.
Using iBeacons in Smart Groups
You can use iBeacon Regions in smart groups. Once a device enters or exits a region, the smart group will automatically update and add or remove the device as a member.
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In Jamf School, navigate to Devices > Device Groups in the sidebar.
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Click + Add Group.
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Enter the name and an optional description for the new group and ensure the Smart Group checkbox is selected.
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Click Add.
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Click the Members tab.
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Click Add Filter.
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Select “Nearby iBeacon(s)” as the rule and select which iBeacon should trigger an enter or exit region event.
You can specify more than one iBeacon. Any device becomes a member of the smart group if the device is near one of the specified iBeacons. -
Click Save Scope.
Related Information
For related information about iBeacons, see this documentation from the Apple Developer website.