See who manages your Mac and what that means

Why it happens

Schools, companies and some sellers use device management to set up Macs, add Wi-Fi and email, install apps and lock certain settings. It arrives as a profile, or the Mac enrols automatically during setup because the organisation bought it. A second-hand Mac can still be linked to the previous owner's organisation, and erasing it doesn't change that.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, click General, then Device Management.

   General›Device Management

2. Look at the list. Each profile shows which organisation it comes from. Select one to see what it controls, such as Wi-Fi, passwords, restrictions or certificates.

3. If this is a work or school Mac, the locked settings are on purpose. Ask the IT team before changing anything, and ask them if something you need is blocked.

4. If you bought the Mac second-hand and the profile or a Remote Management screen names an organisation you don't know, contact the seller. Ask them to have the Mac released from their organisation's device management. Keep your receipt.

5. If a profile is one you added yourself, for example for a VPN or a beta, you can remove it from this list. Leave profiles from an organisation alone unless they tell you to remove them.

Still not fixed?

1. If settings are greyed out but no profile is listed, Screen Time may be limiting them. Check Content & Privacy in Screen Time settings.

   Screen Time›Content & Privacy

2. Remote Management in Sharing settings is a separate thing: it lets someone control your Mac over the network. If you don't use it, you can turn it off there.

   General›Sharing

3. If the seller or organisation doesn't reply, contact Apple Support. They can explain what you're seeing, but only the organisation that manages a Mac can release it.