General and system
Profiles and Device Management
Most people call this configuration installed by an employer, school or app.
A configuration profile can change settings, install certificates, add VPNs and restrict features, and this screen shows every one installed.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 16 and later
- Settings
- General
- VPN & Device Management
What it does
Employers and schools use profiles to manage devices. Some apps install them for VPN or DNS. A profile can enforce a passcode policy, install a root certificate, or restrict what you can change.
What changes
When it is on
Not applicable. This is a management screen.
When it is off
Not applicable.
Should you turn it on?
Battery
No real change
Privacy
Depends how you use it
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: No profiles on a personal iPhone.
Can cause real problems
Questions people actually ask
- What is a configuration profile?
- A file that changes settings on your iPhone. Employers use them legitimately. Anything else should be treated with suspicion.
If it is not working
- If the screen does not appear at all, no profiles are installed, which is normal.
- Removing a work profile usually removes work email and apps with it.
- Never install a profile from a source you do not trust. It can read a great deal.