Supervise an iPhone with iMazing using a Windows PC

Easy to follow walk through of supervising an iOS device with iMazing on a Windows computer, including how to backup and restore data.

Ben

Updated November 2, 2025

iMazing for Window computers is an application that can be used to set up a supervised iPhone or iPad. If you don't have access to a Mac computer, iMazing can be used as an alternative to using Apple Configurator to supervise an iPhone or iPad. Once an iOS device is supervised, Apple Configuration profiles can be used to customize restrictions on the device.

Once you enable Supervised Mode on an iPhone or iPad using iMazing, you can use an Apple Config generator to easily customize the device with configuration profiles.

Use cases for Supervising an iPhone or iPad with iMazing on a Windows Computer

Using iMazing on a Windows computer to supervise a connected iPhone or iPad unlocks new restrictive capabilities.

iOS devices can be configured using Apple Configuration profiles, which can specify settings to be enforced. This is a layer above Screen Time that uses elevated privileges on the device to enforce restrictions.

Watch our demo on YouTube to see the most common use-cases for device supervision.

Restrictions that require supervision

Standard iOS devices can install Apple Configuration profiles, but there are certain configuration profile properties that are only compatible when the device is supervised.

For example:

Specifying a removal password for the configuration profile to prevent the configuration profile from being removed via the settings app UI.
App restrictions to completely block iPhone apps .
Protecting apps from removal.
Restricting VPNs from being added.

Apps that require supervision when Apple Family cannot be used

There are certain iOS apps that might require an iPhone or iPad to be set up as a supervised device if Apple Family cannot be used on the device.

For example, the LivingRoom screen monitoring app for iPhone requires device supervision if the device cannot be signed in with a child's iCloud account connected to Apple Family. This alternative makes the app usable on an adult's iOS device.

When an app like LivingRoom is used on a supervised device, it can be combined with a configuration profile that disallows app deletion. This ensures the app can't be bypassed, even on an adult's iOS device.

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Step 1: Download and Upgrade iMazing

In order to supervise a device using a Windows computer, you'll need to purchase an iMazing license. Alternatively, if you have a Mac available, you can supervise a device with Apple Configurator for free.

Download the most recent version of iMazing and visit the iMazing store page and purchase a license.

Make a note of the License code once the payment has been processed. You will need this later.

Install iMazing

Enter your license code when prompted.

Step 2: Temporarily disable activation lock

When using iMazing on a Windows computer to supervise an iPhone or iPad, disabling activation lock is a critical step.

Since device supervision requires a full hard reset, activation lock must temporarily be disabled or iMazing will fail to supervise the device.

The easiest way to disable activation lock is to temporarily turn off "Find my iPhone."

On the iPhone you are configuring as a supervised device, open settings and open Find My iPhone

Turn off Find My iPhone

Ensure that Find My iPhone is toggled off.

Step 3: Backup the iOS device

The iMazing application on Windows computers will hard reset the iPhone/iPad that is being supervised. Make sure you back up the iOS device so that you can restore some data.

Important app data may not be recovered

Only partial data can be restored after hard reset unless you have a second iOS device available. App data will be lost.

Follow our instructions for a full backup/restore if you have a second iOS device available .

Otherwise, you will only be able to restore data backed up using iCloud Sync (contacts, messages, photos, passwords); you'll need to redownload apps.

(1) Back up with iCloud Sync

To be sure your contacts, messages, and photos and videos are not lost when supervising your device, check that iCloud Settings are backing up important data. This is the primary way you will recover your data post hard reset.

On the iPhone, go to Settings > [your account name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

Tap on See All to view current backup status for your Photos and Files

Verify that your Files, Photos, and Messages are being backed up.

(2) Create a full backup of your iPhone

Create a full backup in case you want to restore to the iPhone's state prior to supervision. You might realize that you lost some important app data, so having a restore point is important.

You can fully backup the iPhone using either itunes on Windows or iCloud.

A) Backing up an iPhone using iTunes on a Windows Computer

An iPhone or iPad can be backed up on Windows using iTunes.

Download iTunes from the Microsoft store and open it

Plug your iPhone into your Windows computer using the charging cable (USB-C or Apple's old lightning cable depending on your iPhone). Unlock your iPhone and trust the computer if prompted (though it may not ask you this)

Open iTunes on your Windows computer, select your iPhone, then Back Up Now within the summary section.

B) Fully backing up an iPhone with iCloud backups

Instead of using iTunes on Windows to run a full backup, you can opt to use iCloud instead. If you have iCloud+ with the available storage, this might be the best option. However, the backup process can take longer depending on your internet speed.

In your iPhone, go to Settings > [your account name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

Ensure that you've created a up-to-date backup by selecting "Back Up Now"

Allow the Backup to Finish.

Step 4: Prepare device with iMazing

Connect your iPhone to your Windows computer, unlock the iPhone screen and trust the computer

Open iMazing, and accept the Trust notification on your iPhone if you haven't already.

You should see it listed like this in the devices section of iMazing:

Click on More options

Search for "Supervision"

You should see a page like this after selecting Supervision.

Choose your organization:

If you've never used iMazing before, you will need to create a new Organization.

The information doesn't really matter here, but I strongly recommend choosing a descriptive name. This Name will be displayed on the Settings menu of your iPhone after Supervision is complete.

Choose the Identity.

Click Next

After proceeding, you will be prompted to Erase All Content And Settings.

If you've safely backed up your iPhone, answer the prompt to continue.

Wait around 5-10 minutes for the Supervision process to complete.

Message when successful.

Confirm that you see the screen below on your iPhone but do not proceed to set up your iPhone:

Step 5: Restore Backed Up Data On Your Newly Supervised iPhone

Your newly supervised iPhone should be on the initial setup screen:

Swipe up to proceed, but stop once you get to this screen:

When you sign into your Apple Account when prompted, you'll get access to all of the data you synced with iCloud.

App Data cannot be restored without undoing Supervision

iCloud sync cannot restore your App Data. You'll need to re-install and set up your apps again.

Choose Set Up Without Another Device:

Once you get to the Apps & Data screen, choose Don't Transfer Apps & Data:

After the first-time setup is finished, open the Settings app and make sure that the device is supervised.

Step 6: Install apple configuration profiles with restrictions

Now that the iOS device is supervised with iMazing, you can use an Apple Config Generator to add supervised restrictions to the device using Apple configuration profiles.

In the iPhone config editor in the Tech Lockdown dashboard, click the Sync to Device button. This page can also be accessed from the iPhone's Safari browser.

Download the config on to the iPhone and select Allow when prompted

The "Profile Downloaded" message should appear after you allow the download

Open the supervised iPhone's settings app and tap Profile Downloaded

If you don't see Profile Downloaded, search for "Device Management" and go to that section of settings.

In the Downloaded Profile section of VPN & Device Management, tap the item that appears in that area.

Install the profile. You'll need to enter your iPhone or iPad passcode to install it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Supervising a device if you don't have a Windows Computer

If you only have access to a Mac computer, you can supervise a device with Apple Configurator for free.

Add a removal passcode to prevent profile from being uninstalled

In the Tech Lockdown dashboard > iPhone config editor, go to the Config Preferences tab and toggle on the Protect config from removal option and customize how you want to prevent removal

Adults who are self-managing should use Prevent Uninstall (Recommended). Parents who are setting up a child's device should set an uninstall pin.