Device Enrollment in Microsoft Intune – A Complete Breakdown
Whether your organization manages 50 devices or 50,000 devices, enrollment is the first and most crucial step. It decides how a device will behave, how it will be secured, how apps will install, and how users will interact with corporate resources.
This blog explains the enrollment process in a simple yet deeply technical way, so even new admins can understand the “why” behind every step.
What Exactly Is Device Enrollment?
Device Enrollment is the process of connecting a user’s device—or a corporate-owned device—to Microsoft Intune so it becomes manageable.
Once a device is enrolled:
IT admins can apply security controls
Apps can be deployed automatically
Devices appear in inventory lists
Compliance rules enforce security posture
Remote actions such as wipe, rename, restart, autopilot reset become available
Think of enrollment as giving Intune permission to manage the device, similar to installing a central control system.
Types of Enrollment Across OS Platforms
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how different operating systems connect to Intune.
Windows Enrollment
Windows is the most widely managed platform in Intune. It offers multiple enrollment types:
1. Azure AD Join
For fully corporate-owned laptops and desktops
Supported on Windows 10 and 11
Zero-touch or user-driven setup
Device automatically enrolls into Intune
2. Hybrid Azure AD Join
Used when organizations still have on-prem Active Directory
Devices join AD first, then sync to Azure AD via Azure AD Connect
Intune enrollment is automatic through Group Policy or ConfigMgr Co‑management
3. Windows Autopilot
Modern deployment solution that replaces traditional imaging
Device comes pre-registered with its hardware hash
Out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) is fully customized
Autopilot profiles define deployment mode:
User-driven
Self‑deploying
Pre-provisioned (White Glove)
4. BYOD – Microsoft Entra ID Registration
Suitable for personal laptops
Partial management
Corporate data stays isolated inside apps via MAM (Mobile Application Management)
Android Enrollment
Intune uses Android Enterprise, which is Google’s modern management framework.
Android Enrollment Modes
Work Profile – Ideal for BYOD; creates a secure workspace
Fully Managed – Full control on corporate-owned devices
Dedicated Device – Kiosk/Single-purpose devices
Zero-touch Enrollment – Allows large-scale deployment without user action
Knox Mobile Enrollment – Samsung’s bulk provisioning method
iOS & iPadOS Enrollment
Apple devices offer highly secure and automated enrollment methods.
1. ADE – Automated Device Enrollment
Works through Apple Business Manager
Device supervision is enabled
Most secure and recommended method for corporates
Apps and policies are auto-pushed
2. User Enrollment (BYOD)
Lightweight management
Protects personal privacy
Creates a separate managed Apple ID space
3. Manual Device Enrollment
Suitable for small deployments
Requires the user to install a management profile
macOS Enrollment
ADE offers the best experience
Company Portal enrollment is optional but often used for app assignments or compliance
Important Prerequisites Before Enrollment
Before you start enrolling devices, ensure the following are configured properly:
1. MDM Authority must be set to Intune
Without this, no device can connect.
2. Correct Intune Licensing
Typically included in: Microsoft 365 E3/E5
Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) E3/E5
Intune Suite (optional add-ons)
3. Enrollment Restrictions
These define:
Which OS versions are allowed
Whether personal devices are permitted
Allowed manufacturers
4. Device Categories
Used for:
Auto-grouping
Organizing devices by department or purpose
5. Conditional Access policies
For enforcing secure access based on device compliance.
Step-by-Step Lifecycle of an Enrolled Device
Here is the typical flow from unboxed device to fully managed endpoint:
1. Device is powered on
User begins setup or device auto-deploys via Autopilot.
2. User signs in / Device joins Azure AD
Identity is established.
3. Device registers with Intune
Device becomes MDM-managed.
4. Intune applies configuration
Wi-Fi
VPN
Security baselines
Certificates
5. App provisioning begins
Managed apps deploy based on group assignments.
6. Compliance evaluation
Device is marked compliant or non‑compliant.
7. Conditional Access applies
Only compliant devices access corporate resources.
8. Device lifecycle begins
Admins can:
Wipe
Retire
Reset
Rename
Monitor
Remediate
Decommission
Why Enrollment Is Important for IT Security
Device enrollment is not just about management—it is about security:
Prevents unauthorized devices from connecting
Ensures each device follows corporate standards
Provides visibility into hardware/software inventory
Allows zero‑trust conditional access
Enables remote wipe to protect corporate data
Enrollment is the first shield in modern cybersecurity.