Getting started with iMazing Profile Editor

If you're new to iMazing Profile Editor, then you are on the right page! We've gathered below the most important information to get you up and running quickly with it.

1. Download and install iMazing Profile Editor
2. How does iMazing Profile Editor work?
3. Adding Configuration Payloads
4. Removing Configuration Payloads
5. Display Filters and Search
6. Saving Profiles
7. Exporting Payloads to Plist
8. User Provided Manifests

1. Download and install iMazing Profile Editor

iMazing Profile Editor is an application for macOS High Sierra (version 10.13.6) and later. It is available free of charge both on the Mac App Store and on our website:

Download from iMazing.com

2. How does iMazing Profile Editor work?

Configuration profiles are XML property list files that allow system administrators to deploy various presets, preferences, restrictions, and more onto Apple macOS, iOS, iPadOS and tvOS devices.

iMazing Profile Editor lets users create, modify, and also digitally sign configuration profiles with a friendly user interface instead of manually coding them in XML.

The app contains definitions for all of Apple's configuration options, as well as for a large number of popular third party applications. These are displayed as configuration pages where users can enter their desired settings.

Configuration options are grouped under domains (e.g. Wi-Fi, Mail, Calendar) and each group is written to a profile as a configuration payload. Profiles can contain multiple payloads of differing domains, and where supported, of the same domain.

3. Adding Configuration Payloads

The sidebar lists all available sections, grouped under System, Application, and User Domain (when set). Select a section and click Add Configuration Payload to add it to the current profile. You can also press ⇧⌘A on the keyboard.

On domains that support multiple payloads, add additional ones by clicking the + button that will appear on the top, or press the same key combination.

Note that individual payloads can be collapsed and renamed for clarity.

4. Removing Configuration Payloads

To remove a payload from the profile, click the - button or press ⇧⌘R on the keyboard. You may have to scroll back to the top of the payload to see the button.

5. Display Filters and Search

Deep Search

The search bar filters available sections, and highlights matching preference properties. Sections are matched by title, description, and domain, and properties by title, name, and description.

You can search for properties by name even when the property names are not displayed.

Supported platforms filter

The funnel button lets you filter by compatible OS.

You can select multiple platforms, in which case only sections supporting all selected platforms are shown.

View configured sections only

Use the dot toggle next to the funnel button to reduce the clutter and focus on already configured payloads. You can also press ⌥⌘0 on the keyboard.

View Property Names

You can choose to show or hide the key names of all properties by selecting Property Names in the View menu, or by pressing ⌥⌘N on the keyboard.

6. Saving Profiles

Standard format

The app generates standard Apple configuration profile .mobileconfig files, which are ready for loading locally or for pushing to users via MDM solutions. They are also compatible with any first- or third-party software that also conforms to the standard.

If you have iMazing installed, you could also save profiles to the iMazing Library and manage profiles on fleets of devices when you use iMazing Configurator. Simply select the Save to iMazing Library menu option to save profiles there directly.

Empty fields

In general, preference keys that are left empty and are not required by the manifest will not be written to the profile file on save. The same is true for fields with a selection box when the item No Value is selected.

Properties set to default value

By default, iMazing Profile Editor will also omit from saved profiles any properties which are set to their system-default value.

This behavior can be changed in the Preferences windows under the Defaults section.

Invalid fields

It is possible to save profiles even if some preference keys contain invalid values. For example, if a value is missing on a required preference key, a red error mark will be displayed, but the profile can still be saved.

Digitally signing profiles

The option to cryptographically sign a profile with a certificate stored in the macOS Keychain is available on the save dialog. If you already saved a profile without signing, use the Save As… item in the File menu to bring up that option again.

Profiles already saved with a signature, will be saved again using the same signing identity without prompting the user, provided that the identity exists on the computer.

7. Exporting Payloads to Plist

Certain third-party MDM solutions accept settings in domain-specific .plist files instead of configuration profiles. iMazing Profile Editor provides the ability to export preferences that you define in any payload into such files. To do so, select the section you wish to export and choose Export Configuration Payload as Plist from the File menu.

On sections with more than one configured payload, a sheet will show and allow you to choose the exact payloads to be exported.

8. User Provided Manifests

iMazing Profile Editor supports adding custom manifest files provided by the user in PFM format. Users should place these files in one folder of their choice, and point to that folder in the Preferences window of the app.

Any profile window currently open will not reflect the change, as they may contain payloads which rely on the previous state. To see your custom manifests in the sections list, open a new profile window.

Congratulations, you've successfully gone through our Getting Started guide!

For more information about creating configuration profiles, head over to our Create or edit Configuration Profiles for iOS, macOS, or tvOS guide.

We hope that this introduction helped you. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact us.