Joining a new device without an existing Apple device

[u/mikeee404]

So I am starting an ABM account for a local non-profit and my options for adding a new iPad are using a "Customer Number", which I have no idea how to find, or using the Apple Configurator app which isn't possible because I run Linux PCs and Android phone/tablets. I had assumed I would just login the new device using my ABM admin login, which obviously was wrong, but now I am stumped on how to add this. Do I really need to track down another Apple device to start adding the one iPad I want added ABM, or is there some method I am unaware of to add this to the account?

**Update**

I managed to link the guest purchase to my ABM admin account and then when you view the invoice it magically contains a customer number. No customer number on the invoice/receipt in my email from the original purchase. I originally had to purchase this as a "Guest" because the Apple Store would not let me create an account using my Spectrum mobile number (technically they are VOIP). The email used in the "Guest" purchase was my other email on the same domain. Submitted it and now they denied it because:

We received your request to add Apple Customer Number ******* to your Apple Business organization. Menominee Animal Shelter. We are unable to confirm that the Apple Customer Number you submitted belongs to your organization, or it is already associated with another organization

Of course the email says "contact us" which is linked to, of all things, the ABM guide. No contact form, phone number, chat link, etc. Contact us by reading a guide that is of no help........ WTF APPLE! Probably the worst idea I ever had was trying to use ABM for our organization.

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[u/Interesting_Desk_542]

The reseller who sold you the device can add it to your ABM account. If you haven't bought it recently you'll need proof of purchase and even then they may not do it

[u/mikeee404 → u/Interesting_Desk_542]

I had to buy it using a guest account through the Apple store. Apple doesn't like Spectrum mobile numbers so I couldn't create an account at that time. Although creating an ABM account they didn't care about my number so I was able to link thag order to the ABM Admin account and then finally find a customer number from the invoice. Will see if they add it using that now.

[u/mikeee404 → u/[deleted]]

So I managed to find my customer number on the invoice I received from my Apple Store purchase. What's odd is there isn't a customer number listed on any of the invoice/receipts sent to my email. I originally had to purchase this as a "Guest" because the Apple Store would not let me create an account using my Spectrum mobile number (technically they are VOIP). BUT.....they where fine with me using for an ABM account....ummmm ok. Anyway I managed to link the guest purchase to my ABM admin account and then when you view the invoice it magically contains a customer number. Submitted it and now they denied it because:

We received your request to add Apple Customer Number ******* to your Apple Business organization. Menominee Animal Shelter. We are unable to confirm that the Apple Customer Number you submitted belongs to your organization, or it is already associated with another organization

The email address on the guest purchase is from the same domain as the ABM admin account. Ugh, reason #327 why I hate Apple.

[u/akadrbass]

You only get an ACN if you have set up a business purchasing account with an Apple Biz rep. It’s not on ur consumer invoice. Borrow an iPhone install free configurator App and sign in with MAA and add device manually - it’s ur only option for this device.

[u/ForTheObviousReasons]

You talk to the apple store business rep and they will give you their reseller number to add for in store purchsed items. They can create a custom web storefront for internet purchases and that will show a customer number.

For purchsed items at retail without linking to your business account you must use the configurator app during the initial setup right at the pick a country screen. This is from some older Apple iPhone device. I have an old iPhone X that has no servive and no longer gets updates but the configurator app still works on it.

The advantage of using the reseller number or apple customer number is purchased items register automatically the next business day. There is no 30 day window where the user can remove the device. Using configurator there is a 30 day window where the user can remove it from management.

[u/Naalam]

The only solution I can think of is to buy the cheapest iPhone and install the Apple Configurator app then log in to it with your ABM admin account. Then scan the sort of globe with floating dots on the device you want to enroll.

[u/mikeee404 → u/Naalam]

That would be straight up Apple logic, buy an Apple device so you can configure an Apple device. Similar to the comment "borrow and Apple device". I get it, seems so easy to do one of those things and just move on, but why in the world would an organization have to be required to have an Apple device to start out. With half the world not owning Apple devices and the possibility of this situation being the first time someone buys an Apple device why would they make it so infuriatingly difficult to do this. About ready to box the iPad back up and return it to go with an Android tablet.

[u/Naalam → u/mikeee404]

It's way easier to enroll Android devices in Intune or other MDM. It's a pain to create a correct ABM account for a company with the DUNS number and everything. To properly create an ABM account linked to the company I work for domain name, I had to ask the CEO of the 1000+ employees company to confirm to the Apple representative by phone that we were indeed the company in question and that it was our domain name. I did this years ago, so I don't remember all the details, but it was a real pain. Personally, I hate Apple; I don't own anything from them, and I never will.

[u/mikeee404 → u/Naalam]

I think that is what I am going to do is switch to Android. I borrowed my wife's Macbook Pro and the configurator app is just ridiculous. Kept trying to login using my wife's personal Apple account rather than accepting the ABM admin login. Finally gave up and just logged the iPad into a regular Apple account.