Deploying Custom PLIST Files using Intune (macOS)

SUMMARY:

Being able to deploy custom property list (plist) files is a powerful tool Intune offers! Plist files allow us to configure the applications installed on our macOS devices. For example, you can use a plist file to manage Google Chrome's preferences such as setting the startup page.

Property list files, also called preference files, include information about your macOS apps. You define app properties or settings that you want to preconfigure. --Microsoft

Table of Contents

Creating a Custom PLIST File

Deploying PLIST Files

Creating a Custom PLIST File

When creating your PLIST file, please note that it must have a .plist or .xml extension. If using an editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code to create your PLIST file, I recommend saving it with the .xml extension.

IMPORTANT:

Only include the key value attribute pairs. Remove any <dict>, <plist>, or <xml> tags.

When creating the PLIST file for an application, consult the application's documentation to learn which attribute-key value pairs are available to configure or modify. For example, click here to view and download Google Chrome's PLIST template.

If you are unsure of the attribute-key value pairs to use and the application vendor doesn’t offer a PLIST template, follow the steps below:

1. Install the application on a test machine.

2. Manually set the desired settings.

3. Inspect the PLIST file to see what attribute-key value pairs were used. The PLIST file will most likely be saved to ~/Library/Preferences or /Library/Preferences.

To see an example PLIST file, I've pasted a picture below of part of Google Chrome's PLIST template opened 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.

• Launch the Intune portal.

• Select Devices in the left-hand menu blade.

• Select macOS > Configuration (expand Manage Devices)

• Select + Create > + New Policy

  • Platform: macOS

  • Profile type: Templates > Preference file

• Select Create.

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

• 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, click here.

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

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