Deploying Custom PLIST Files using Intune (macOS)

Being able to configure and deploy property list (PLIST) files is a powerful tool that Intune offers! Deploying PLIST files allows you to modify/configure applications installed on your company's macOS devices. For example, using a PLIST file you can enable and disable features in browsers like Google Chrome; such a feature could be setting the homepage to your company's intranet page or installing a browser extension.

Property list files, also called preference files, include information about your macOS apps. You define app properties or settings that you want to preconfigure. When the file is ready, you can use Intune to deploy the file to your devices and configure the app settings in your file. — Microsoft

Table of Contents

Creating a Custom PLIST File

Deploying PLIST Files

Creating a Custom PLIST File

Before you deploy a PLIST file to your company's devices, you'll need to create it first. The file needs to have either the .plist or .xml extension.

You can use an editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code to create your PLIST files. Consult the application's documentation to learn which attribute value pairs are available to configure or modify the application. For example, click here to learn about and download Google Chrome's PLIST file. Below is part of Google Chrome's PLIST template in Visual Studio Code.

Deploying PLIST Files

Once you've created and saved your PLIST file, use the steps below to deploy it to your devices.

Step 1

1. Open the Endpoint Manager (Intune) portal.

2. Select Devices in the left-hand menu blade.

3. Select macOS > Configuration (expand Manage Devices)

4. Select + Create > + New Policy

   1. Platform: macOS

   2. Profile type: Templates > Preference file

5. Select Create.

Step 2

• Under the Basics tab, input a name and optionally, a description.

Step 3

1. Preference Domain Name: enter the preference domain name (BundleIdentifier) of the application for which the PLIST file is for. To learn how to find the preference domain name or BundleIdentifier of an application, select the link below: Deploying macOS Line-of-Business (.pkg) Applications using Intune
   

2. Property List File: select the folder icon to search for and upload the PLIST file you created and saved earlier.

Step 4

Once done, select Next, choose the device assignment, and create the app deployment.