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How to deploy Ditto tvOS Receiver in Single App Mode

Overview:

Single App Mode locks an Apple TV into running one designated app so users can’t exit or navigate away. Even after a reboot, the Apple TV returns directly to the app without showing the Home screen. Organizations can do this with the Ditto tvOS Receiver app. Single App Mode is perfect for dedicated environments like:

  • Education (e.g., classrooms sharing content seamlessly)
  • Enterprise & Meeting Spaces (consistent meeting setup)
  • Kiosks & Public Displays (secure, purpose-driven usage)

General Requirements and Prerequisites

Ensure the following before you begin:

  • Apple TVs are supervised (via MDM, Apple School Manager or Apple Configurator).
  • The Ditto tvOS Receiver app is installed on each Apple TV.
  • You have administrator access to your MDM.
  • Apple TVs have network connectivity to reach your MDM server and Ditto services.

 

Enabling Single App Mode by MDM Vendor:

Microsoft Intune

Intune supports Apple TV management via Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) through Apple Business or School Manager—ensuring device supervision and MDM enrollment. The Microsoft support article on this topic can be found here.

Steps:

  1. In the Intune Admin Center, ensure your Apple TVs are enrolled via ADE.

  2. Go to Devices > tvOS > Configuration Profiles.

  3. Create a new profile; select Kiosk (Single App Mode) or use Settings Catalog to find the Kiosk setting.

  4. Choose Store App and enter the Ditto app’s App Store URL—or use “Built-In App” plus the bundle ID: com.squirrels.dittoatv2

  5. Assign the profile to target Apple TV devices.

  6. Save and sync your devices.

Jamf School

Jamf School offers a straightforward wizard-based setup for Single App Mode. The Jamf support article on the topic can be found here.

Steps:

  1. Go to Profiles > Configuration Profiles > Create Profile.

  2. Select tvOS, name the profile, and save to open the editor.

  3. Choose Single App Mode payload; enable Lock device to a specific app and select Ditto from the dropdown.

  4. Optionally configure enforced options (e.g., disable touch input, screen saver).

  5. Scope the profile to your Apple TV group.

  6. Save the profile to apply.

Need help deploying the Ditto tvOS Receiver app to your Apple TVs with Jamf? Follow this guide.

Jamf Pro

Jamf Pro supports robust Single App Mode controls via Configuration Profiles. The Jamf support article on the topic can be found here.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to Devices > Configuration Profiles > New.

  2. Set up a profile with platform = tvOS.

  3. Add the Single App Mode payload; click Configure.

  4. Choose Specify Bundle ID and enter:

    com.squirrels.dittoatv2

  5. Optionally enforce additional settings (e.g., disable touch, auto-lock).

  6. Scope to Apple TVs where Ditto is installed.

  7. Save and deploy.

  8. Troubleshooting tip: If encountering "Guided Access Unavailable," ensure the Ditto app is installed before the Single App Mode profile applies. Use a smart group to filter by app-installed status.

Need help deploying the Ditto tvOS Receiver app to your Apple TVs with Jamf? Follow this guide.

Cisco Meraki

Meraki’s Systems Manager enables Single App Mode through a simple payload configuration. The Cisco support article on the topic can be found here.

Steps:

  1. Open Meraki Dashboard and go to Systems Manager > Profiles.

  2. Add a new profile with platform tvOS.

  3. Include a Single App Mode payload.

  4. Enter the Ditto bundle ID (com.squirrels.dittoatv2).

  5. Assign to Apple TV devices and save to deploy.

Need help deploying the Ditto tvOS Receiver app to your Apple TVs with Cisco Meraki? Follow this guide.

Mosyle

Mosyle allows setup via its profile configuration interface.

Steps:

  1. Log in to the Mosyle portal.

  2. Navigate to Management > Profiles > Add Profile.

  3. Select tvOS, then add a Single App Mode payload.

  4. Input the bundle ID: com.squirrels.dittoatv2.

  5. Scope to Ditto-enabled Apple TVs.

  6. Save and apply the profile.

Need help deploying the Ditto tvOS Receiver app to your Apple TVs with Mosyle? Follow this guide.

Apple School Manager (ASM) + Apple Configurator

When devices are supervised and enrolled in ASM, you can fully manage Single App Mode via Apple Configurator.

Steps:

  1. Pair the supervised Apple TV with a Mac running Apple Configurator 2.

  2. In Configurator, navigate to Actions > Advanced > Start Single App Mode.

  3. Choose Ditto as the designated app.

  4. To stop using Single App Mode, repeat the action and select Stop Single App Mode.

 

Apple Configurator

For direct management of supervised Apple TVs, Configurator offers a manual toggle. The Apple support article on the topic can be found here.

Steps:

  1. Connect or network pair the Apple TV with your Mac.

  2. Ensure it shows as supervised.

  3. Select Actions > Advanced > Start Single App Mode and choose Ditto.

  4. To stop using Single App Mode, use Actions > Advanced > Stop Single App Mode.

 

Hexnode

Hexnode UEM supports Single App Mode via its device policies interface. The Hexnode support article on the topic can be found here.

Steps:

  1. In Hexnode UEM, go to Policies > New Policy > tvOS.

  2. Add a Single App Mode payload.

  3. Input the bundle ID: com.squirrels.dittoatv2.

  4. Assign the policy to relevant Apple TVs.

  5. Save and push the policy.

Need help deploying the Ditto tvOS Receiver app to your Apple TVs with Hexnode? Follow this guide.

Kandji  

Kandji refers to Single App Mode as App Lock. This feature restricts a tvOS device to a single app and ensures the device always returns to that app after reboot.  The Kandji support article on the topic can be found here.

Steps:

  1. In Kandji, open the Blueprint assigned to your Apple TVs.  

  2. Add a Library Item of type App Lock.  

  3. Configure the payload and select Ditto Receiver as the locked app.  

    - If Ditto doesn’t appear, ensure it has been added to the Kandji Library via Apps & Books or as a custom app.  

  4. Optionally configure restrictions (disable touch, volume buttons, or screen sleep).  

  5. Assign the Blueprint to the Apple TVs running Ditto.  

  6. Kandji will push the App Lock configuration, causing those Apple TVs to launch and stay locked in Ditto.

Need help deploying the Ditto tvOS Receiver app to your Apple TVs with Kandji? Follow this guide.

Troubleshooting

  • Ditto not locking as expected

    • Ensure the app is installed before the Single App Mode profile runs—especially in Jamf Pro scenarios (use smart groups) 

    • Confirm the device is supervised and enrolled correctly.

  • App crashes or exit occurs

    • Double-check bundle ID accuracy (e.g., com.squirrels.dittoatv2).

    • Validate that the MDM can reach the device over the network; consider a manual restart.

  • Unable to exit Single App Mode

    • Remove or disable the responsible profile in your MDM.

    • In Configurator, use Stop Single App Mode to reset behavior.

Best Practices & Tips

  • Pilot deployment on one Apple TV before mass rollout.

  • Sequence installation: Install Ditto first, then apply Single App Mode—avoid configuration race conditions.

  • Plan for exit: Document removable or changeable configurations in case of future updates.

  • Network: Ensure consistent and managed connectivity during and after profile deployment.

  • Stay updated: Keep MDM and tvOS versions current to ensure compatibility.

Summary

Single App Mode ensures Apple TVs with Ditto remain dedicated and reliable—ideal for streamlined classroom sharing, conferencing or kiosk use.

Looking to mass deploy Ditto Windows Receiver? Find instructions here.

Need assistance? Reach out to Ditto Support via help.airsquirrels.com.