macOS Setup Automation

Problem Overview

Setting up a new Mac can be tedious, especially when juggling multiple devices and varying client requirements. Imaging machines can quickly become outdated, and it’s crucial to maintain consistency in deployments. This resource eliminates repetitive tasks and ensures that every new Mac receives a uniform configuration.

Description

This macOS Setup Automation can run manually or automatically when the device is tagged with “Setup.” It handles system updates, creates a local admin user, disables sleep on AC power for better remote management, and sets a custom SSID. It also applies specialized tags—like AV, VPN, Office—to trigger additional automations, ensuring each device is deployed with the right configurations. Once complete, it removes the Setup tag and restarts the device.

Preview

Use Cases

• Standardizing new Mac deployments across multiple clients
• Quickly onboarding employees with customized settings
• Removing repetitive tasks in large-scale refresh projects
• Ensuring devices stay up-to-date with minimal manual intervention
• Streamlining transition from “Setup” to “Managed” state

Recommendations

• Best Practices: Test the automation on a single Mac before deploying it at scale, ensuring your custom fields and tags are correctly configured.
• Testing Instructions: Run the automation manually on a test device, verify that updates install correctly, the local admin user is created, and each tag (AV, VPN, Office) triggers the intended automation.
• Required Changes: Confirm the local admin username/password in Level’s custom fields to avoid conflicting credentials.
• Getting Started: Tag the Mac with “Setup” or run the automation manually. Monitor the task logs to confirm successful completion.

FAQ

• Will this remove existing user accounts?
  ‍No, it only adds a new admin user; it does not remove existing users.

• Does it require a reboot?
  ‍Yes, a restart is scheduled after updates and configurations to finalize changes.

• Can I customize which tags are applied?
  ‍Absolutely. You can modify or remove tag actions within the automation to match your specific needs.

• What if the Mac is already fully updated?
  ‍The automation simply confirms there are no updates pending, then proceeds with the rest of the actions.