Upcoming Change: SOTI MobiControl Moving to Apple’s Apps and Books for Organizations API

• SOTI MobiControl versions below 2026.1.5
  
• Apple devices (iOS, iPadOS, tvOS and macOS) managed with SOTI MobiControl
  
• App Store app search in App Policies, Single App Mode and Home Screen Layout

What is changing:

• SOTI MobiControl currently uses Apple’s unauthenticated iTunes Search API to find App Store apps by name. Apple’s replacement is the Apps and Books for Organizations API, which requires authenticated access. SOTI is updating SOTI MobiControl to use the new endpoint and will manage authentication with Apple on your behalf. 

What happens if you do not upgrade:

• App Store search continues to use the legacy iTunes Search API. tvOS apps don’t appear in search results, so you can’t add Apple TV apps by search to App Policies, Single App Mode or Home Screen Layout profiles. 

Action required:

• No action is needed now. Please upgrade once the release with the change is available and confirm App Store search returns results as necessary. Contact SOTI Support if you need assistance. 

References:

• iTunes Search API (Legacy), Apple Developer Documentation: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AudioVideo/Conceptual/iTuneSearchAPI/Searching.html
• Get Catalog Search Results, Apple Developer Documentation: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/get-catalog-search-results