Managed TV Setup (Apple Configurator)

Womoji can run in managed mode on Apple TVs in your gym. A managed TV locks to the workout dashboard, auto-pairs to your group, and requires zero day-to-day maintenance — members can’t exit the app or change settings.

Who can use it: Group owners.

Not sure which guide you need?

• Setting up Apple TVs you already own? You’re in the right place — this guide enrolls directly into SimpleMDM using Apple Configurator.
• Buying new Apple TVs through Apple or a reseller? See Zero-Touch TV Setup (Apple Business Manager) instead — devices auto-enroll on first boot, no Mac required.
• Want to add existing TVs to Apple Business Manager? See the ABM guide’s FAQ — it’s a separate Apple Configurator workflow that registers TVs in ABM for zero-touch re-enrollment on future resets.

What You Need

• An Apple TV 4K (WiFi + Ethernet model) — WiFi-only models cannot be enrolled
• An Ethernet cable — required during enrollment (the Apple TV 4K has an Ethernet port in the power brick). Apple Configurator erases the device during setup, which wipes WiFi credentials, so there’s no way to complete enrollment over WiFi alone. You can remove the cable after enrollment is done.
• A Mac with Apple Configurator 2 installed (free)
• The Apple TV and your Mac on the same network

Step 1: Set Up MDM for Your Group

This is a one-time setup that creates a management group for your gym’s TVs.

1. Open your group in the Womoji app
2. Tap the ”…” overflow menu → “MDM Devices”
3. Tap “Set Up MDM”

The app creates your management group and assigns the Womoji TV app automatically. When it’s done, you’ll see a pairing code and status badges showing what’s configured.

Status Badges

• App — Womoji TV app is assigned
• Config — Pairing configuration is pushed
• WiFi — WiFi profile is configured
• Restrict — Restrictions are active (AirPlay, sleep, screensaver disabled)

Step 2: Add a TV

Each Apple TV gets its own enrollment link.

1. Tap “Add TV” in the toolbar
2. Enter a name for the TV (e.g., “Studio A” or “Front Desk”)
3. Copy the enrollment URL that appears

Repeat for each TV. All pending enrollments stay visible with individual Copy buttons — you can come back days later to finish enrollment.

Step 3: Prepare the Apple TV with Apple Configurator

If the Apple TV isn’t brand new, factory reset it first: Settings → System → Reset → Reset All Settings. Walk through the initial setup to get it on the same network as your Mac.

1. Open Apple Configurator 2 on your Mac
2. The Apple TV should appear automatically
3. Click the Apple TV to select it, then click Prepare

4. Select Manual Configuration
5. Check “Supervise devices” (required for kiosk mode)
6. Uncheck “Add to Apple Business Manager” (that’s a different workflow)
7. Click Next

Set Up the MDM Server

1. Click New Server…
2. Name: Enter anything (e.g., “Womoji”)
3. Enrollment URL: Paste the per-device URL from Step 2
4. Click Next
5. Trust anchor certificates: Just click Next to skip
6. Apple Business Manager: Click Skip
7. Organization: Enter your gym name. Phone/email/address are optional.
8. Supervision identity: Select “Generate a new supervision identity” (first time) or choose an existing one
9. Configure tvOS Setup Assistant: Select “Don’t show any of these steps” to skip the setup wizard entirely (Ethernet handles connectivity)
10. Click Prepare — takes 2–3 minutes (the TV will reboot, that’s normal)

Step 4: Deploy

1. Take the Apple TV to the gym and plug it in
2. Connect to WiFi (or Ethernet)
3. Womoji launches automatically, reads the configuration, and auto-pairs to your group
4. The dashboard appears and the TV locks into kiosk mode

Total time from plug-in to dashboard: about 2 minutes.

Setting Up WiFi for Your TVs

After enrollment, you can push WiFi credentials to all your TVs from the app — no need to configure each one manually.

1. In the MDM Devices screen, tap the WiFi section
2. Enter your gym’s WiFi network name and password
3. Tap Save

The WiFi profile is pushed to all enrolled TVs in your group automatically.

Changing WiFi later: Tap the WiFi section again to update the network name or password. The existing profile is updated in place.

Managing Your TVs

Long-press any device in the MDM Devices list to access management commands:

Action	What It Does
Refresh Status	Get latest device info (OS version, battery, IP)
Restart	Reboot the Apple TV
Update OS	Trigger a tvOS update
Lock	Lock the device screen
Shutdown	Power off the Apple TV
Wipe	Factory reset (asks for confirmation)

What If the TV Loses WiFi?

If the TV loses its internet connection, a recovery screen appears after a few moments. See TV WiFi Recovery for step-by-step instructions.

Software Update Deferral

By default, Apple TVs install tvOS updates as soon as they’re available. You can delay updates to avoid disruptions during busy hours or untested software versions.

We recommend a 14–30 day deferral so you have time to verify new tvOS versions work with Womoji before they roll out to your gym.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can staff accidentally exit the app? No. In managed mode, the Home button and other system navigation are disabled. The only way to temporarily unlock the TV is through the WiFi recovery screen with the correct code.

Do we need a special Apple TV? You need an Apple TV 4K WiFi + Ethernet model. WiFi-only models cannot be enrolled. We recommend the latest generation for the best display quality.

Can one TV show multiple groups? Each TV is assigned to one group. If you have multiple classes, you’ll need a TV per room or per group.

What if Apple Configurator doesn’t see my Apple TV? Make sure both devices are on the same network. Ethernet is much more reliable than WiFi for discovery. Try restarting both devices.

Can I use Apple Business Manager instead? Yes — for gym chains deploying many TVs. See Zero-Touch TV Setup (ABM) for that guide.