Deploy Playlister to Apple TV with Jamf Pro

This guide covers two common Jamf Pro configurations for Apple TV deployments of Playlister: automatic app installation (so you never have to touch the App Store) and Single App Mode (so volunteers can't accidentally exit Playlister).

Prerequisites

Jamf Pro with Apple TV devices enrolled
Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) account
Playlister app assigned to your organization in ABM/ASM via Apps and Books (formerly VPP)
Apple TVs running tvOS 16 or later

Part 1: Automatic App Installation (Zero-Touch Deployment)
Instead of manually opening the App Store on each Apple TV, entering your Apple ID, password, and 2FA code with the Siri Remote, you can have Jamf push Playlister automatically.

Step 1: Assign Playlister in Apple Business Manager

1. Sign in to business.apple.com
2. Go to Apps and Books
3. Search for Playlister
4. Purchase the required number of licenses (Playlister is free, but you still need to "purchase" licenses to assign them)
5. Assign the licenses to your Jamf Pro MDM server

Step 2: Sync VPP Content in Jamf Pro

1. In Jamf Pro, go to Settings > Global > Volume Purchasing
2. Verify your VPP token is connected and synced
3. Click Sync if Playlister doesn't appear in your app list yet

Step 3: Create a Mobile Device App Deployment

1. Go to Devices > Mobile Device Apps
2. Click + New
3. Select App Store app or apps purchased in volume
4. Search for Playlister and select it
5. On the General tab:

Check Automatically install the app

Check Manage app on device (required for automatic installation)

On the Scope tab:

Add your Apple TV devices or a Smart/Static Group containing your Apple TVs

Click Save

The app will push to your Apple TVs on their next check-in. No App Store sign-in required on the device.
Troubleshooting Auto-Installation

App not installing? Verify your VPP token is valid and synced. Go to Settings > Volume Purchasing and check the token status.

"App not assigned" error? Make sure you have enough licenses in Apple Business Manager and that they're assigned to your Jamf Pro server, not a different MDM.

Device not checking in? You can force a check-in from Jamf Pro by selecting the device and clicking Send Blank Push or by restarting the Apple TV.

Part 2: Single App Mode (Kiosk Lock)

Single App Mode locks the Apple TV to Playlister so that pressing the Home/TV button on the Siri Remote doesn't exit the app. This prevents volunteers from accidentally navigating away during a service.

Playlister Bundle ID
app.playlister.tbos
You'll need this identifier when configuring Single App Mode.

Step 1: Create a Configuration Profile

1. In Jamf Pro, go to Devices > Configuration Profiles
2. Click + New
3. Name it something like Playlister - Single App Mode
4. Set the target to Apple TV

Step 2: Configure the Single App Mode Payload

• In the profile, click Single App Mode from the payload list
• Click Configure
• Enter the App Bundle ID: app.playlister.tbos
  Optional settings:

Allow Voice Over: Leave unchecked unless needed for accessibility
Allow Zoom: Leave unchecked unless needed
Allow Assistive Touch: Leave unchecked

Step 3: Scope the Profile

• Go to the Scope tab
• Add the Apple TV devices or device group you want locked to Playlister
• Click Save

The profile will apply on the next device check-in. Once active, the Apple TV will only run Playlister — the Home screen is inaccessible.
Disabling Single App Mode
To temporarily exit Single App Mode (for updates, troubleshooting, etc.):

• In Jamf Pro, select the Apple TV device
• Click Management > Send Remote Command
• Select Disable Single App Mode

The device will return to normal until the profile is re-applied. To permanently remove it, remove the device from the profile's scope.

Recommended Setup for Multi-Campus Deployments
For churches deploying Playlister across multiple campuses, we recommend combining both configurations:

• Create a Smart Group for each campus (e.g., "Campus - Lino Lakes Apple TVs") based on building or department tags
• Deploy the app using a single Mobile Device App scoped to all Apple TV groups
• Deploy Single App Mode using a Configuration Profile scoped to all Apple TV groups
• Use the Playlister tag system within Playlister itself to manage campus-specific content — each campus sees only what's tagged for them

This gives you zero-touch deployment (new Apple TVs get Playlister automatically when enrolled) and kiosk lock (volunteers can't exit the app), while Playlister's built-in tag and permission system handles content separation across campuses.

Need Help?
If you run into issues with your Jamf deployment, reach out to our team at support@playlister.app. We're happy to walk through the setup with you or your IT team.