Deploying Custom Computer Configuration Profiles Using the Application & Custom Settings Payload

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You can use the Application & Custom Settings payload in a computer configuration profile to manage settings for macOS and Apple apps that do not have pre-built management payloads, as well as third-party apps that store their preference settings in property list (PLIST) files.

Note:You can also upload a complete, customized computer configuration profile (.mobileconfig) that was created using a different Jamf Pro server or third-party utility. For more information about this method, see Uploading a Configuration Profile in the Jamf Pro Documentation.
To create a computer configuration profile with custom app settings, you must first identify the app's domain (e.g., com.apple.Safari), the keys you need to manage (e.g., HomePage), and the values you want to set (e.g. "https://www.jamf.com"). You can customize the Application & Custom Settings payload by doing one of the following:

  • Use the pre-built settings.

  • Upload a JSON Schema manifest to help you choose settings.

  • Upload an already-configured PLIST file.

The following options are available in the Application & Custom Settings payload:
  • Jamf Applications —Use this pane to customize apps created by Jamf, such as Jamf Connect. You can edit the settings to customize a Jamf app you are distributing to end user computers.
  • External Applications —Use this pane to customize apps created by third parties, such as Microsoft Office. Several apps are provided in the Jamf Repository. However, you can also upload an app manifest in JSON Schema format that you have authored in a text editor for any app you plan to deploy and want to customize.
  • Upload —

    Use this pane to upload a custom PLIST. You can create the PLIST using a text editor to enter key-value pairs defining the application preferences you want to manage.

  1. In Jamf Pro, click Computers in the sidebar.
  2. Click Configuration Profiles in the sidebar.
  3. Click New.
  4. Use the General payload to configure basic settings, including the level at which to apply the profile and the distribution method.
  5. Click the Application & Custom Settings payload.
  6. To customize the settings for Jamf apps, do the following:
    1. Click Jamf Applications.
    2. Click Add .
    3. Click the Jamf Application domain pop-up menu, and choose the domain for the Jamf app you want to configure (e.g., com.jamf.connect).
    4. Click the Version pop-up menu, and choose the preference domain version you want to manage.
    5. Click the Variant pop-up menu, and choose the JSON variant for the selected version.

      The Preference Domain Properties area will display.

    6. Change the properties as needed in the Form editor interface.

      You can click Plist preview to view how the PLIST file reflects the changes you make.

  7. To configure custom JSON schema settings for a third-party app, do the following:
    1. Click External Applications.
    2. Click Add .
    3. Click the Source pop-up menu and choose either "Jamf Repository" or "Custom Schema:"

      • The Jamf Repository contains a list of common third-party apps and their preference domains.

      • Custom Schema requires you to provide all information about a third-party app.

    4. In the Preference Domain field, enter the unique domain of the app to be managed. The preference domain should look similar to the following: com.vendor.application.
    5. Click Add Schema, paste the JSON Schema manifest into the Custom Schema field, and then click Save.

      A web form will display where you can select or enter managed preference settings for the app.

  8. To upload a customized PLIST file, do the following:
    1. Click Upload.
    2. Click Add.
    3. Enter the preference domain for which you want to set properties. The preference domain should look similar to the following: com.vendor.application.
    4. Click Upload, and then choose the customized PLIST file.
      Note:

      If the PLIST file contains formatting errors, follow the onscreen instructions to remediate the issue. You may need to execute the following command: /usr/bin/plutil -convert xml1 /path/to/file.plist

  9. Click the Scope tab, and configure the scope of the configuration profile. For more information, see Scope in the Jamf Pro Documentation.
  10. Click Save .

For information on customizing Jamf manifests, see Application & Custom Settings in the Jamf Developer Portal.