Apple Device Policy
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Services Background Tasks ()

The declaration to configure background tasks.

macOS(15.0)
Branch: release

Settings (7)

SettingTypeRequiredDefaultManual InstallSupported OS
Task type
TaskType
The unique identifier of the set of background tasks managed with this configuration. This should be a reverse DNS style identifier. The device uses this identifier to differentiate between tasks in different configurations.
stringrequired—
✓Yes
macOS (15.0+)
Task description
TaskDescription
A description of the set of background tasks this configuration manages.
stringoptional—
✓Yes
macOS (15.0+)
Executable asset reference
ExecutableAssetReference
Specifies the identifier of an asset declaration containing a reference to the files to be used for the background task configuration. The corresponding asset must be of type `com.apple.asset.data`. The referenced data must be a zip archive of an entire directory that the device expands and stores in a well known location for the background task. The asset's "ContentType" and "Hash-SHA-256" keys in the "Reference" key are required. This zip archive should contain background task executables, scripts, and configuration files, but not the `launchd` configuration files. The device stores the expanded zip archive in the tamper-proof `/var/db/ManagedConfigurationFiles/BackgroundTaskServices/Services/<TaskType>` directory, where `<TaskType>` is the value of the `TaskType` key in the configuration.
stringoptional—
✓Yes
macOS (15.0+)
Launchd configurations
LaunchdConfigurations
An array of `launchd` configuration files used to run the background tasks. The device stores the configuration files in the tamper-proof `/var/db/ManagedConfigurationFiles/BackgroundTaskServices/LaunchDaemons` or `/var/db/ManagedConfigurationFiles/BackgroundTaskServices/LaunchAgents` directories, based on the `Context` value for each item.
1 subkey
arrayoptional—
✓Yes
macOS (15.0+)
└─
Launchd item
launchd-item
A dictionary of launchd configurations.
2 subkeys
dictionaryrequired—
✓Yes
macOS (15.0+)
└─ └─
File asset reference
FileAssetReference
Specifies the identifier of an asset declaration containing a reference to the launchd configuration file for the background task. The referenced data must be a property list file conforming to the launchd.plist format. The asset's "ContentType" and "Hash-SHA-256" keys in the "Reference" key are required.
stringrequired—
✓Yes
macOS (15.0+)
└─ └─
Launchd context
Context
Indicates whether the device applies the launchd configuration file to the system daemon or system agent domain.
stringrequired—
✓Yes
macOS (15.0+)

Apple MDM & DDM Policy Explorer

Explore the full catalogue of Apple Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Declarative Device Management (DDM) policies for macOS and iOS. Search, filter, and reference policy keys for use with Microsoft Intune, Jamf, or any standards-compliant MDM solution.

Reference: policy categories & common keys

Policy categories

  • Configuration Profile
  • Declarative Configuration
  • Declarative Activation
  • Declarative Asset
  • Declarative Management

Common policy keys

  • com.apple.wifi.managed – Wi-Fi network configuration
  • com.apple.vpn.managed – VPN configuration
  • com.apple.applicationaccess – App and feature restrictions
  • com.apple.security.pkcs1 – Certificate (PKCS#1) payload
  • com.apple.security.pkcs12 – Identity certificate (PKCS#12) payload
  • com.apple.security.scep – SCEP certificate enrolment
  • com.apple.mail.managed – Mail account configuration
  • com.apple.eas.account – Exchange ActiveSync account
  • com.apple.MCX – Managed Client (macOS) preferences
  • com.apple.MCX.FileVault2 – FileVault 2 disk encryption
  • com.apple.dock – macOS Dock configuration
  • com.apple.screensaver – Screensaver configuration
  • com.apple.loginwindow – macOS login window configuration
  • com.apple.systempolicy.managed – Gatekeeper / system policy
  • com.apple.systempreferences – System Preferences pane restrictions
  • com.apple.SoftwareUpdate – Software update behaviour
  • com.apple.TCC.configuration-profile-policy – Privacy Preferences Policy Control (PPPC)
  • com.apple.notificationsettings – Per-app notification settings
  • com.apple.webcontent-filter – Web content filter
  • com.apple.dnsSettings.managed – DNS settings (DoH / DoT)
  • com.apple.relay.managed – Network relay configuration
  • com.apple.extensiblesso – Extensible Single Sign-On
  • com.apple.configuration.passcode.settings – DDM: passcode policy
  • com.apple.configuration.softwareupdate.enforcement.specific – DDM: enforced software update
  • com.apple.configuration.services.configuration-files – DDM: service configuration files
  • com.apple.configuration.management.status-subscriptions – DDM: status subscriptions
  • com.apple.activation.simple – DDM: simple activation predicate
  • com.apple.management.organization-info – DDM: organization information