Microsoft Intune Device Management: How to Manage Devices with Microsoft Intune

In the modern era of hybrid work, the traditional network perimeter has dissolved. Employees now access sensitive corporate data from home offices, coffee shops, and transit hubs using a variety of hardware. This shift has made robust endpoint security a non-negotiable priority for IT departments.

What is Intune device management? At its core, Intune Device Management is a cloud-based service that focuses on mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM). As part of Microsoft’s Endpoint Manager suite, it allows organisations to control how their devices are used, including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, while ensuring that corporate data remains protected.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the mechanics of Intune device management, its platform capabilities, and how you can leverage it to secure your organisational ecosystem.

What is Intune Device Management?

To understand what is Intune device management, we must look at it as the gatekeeper of the modern workplace. It is the component of Microsoft 365 that ensures only authorised users on compliant devices can access your organisation's internal resources, such as email, SharePoint, and Teams.

Unlike older on-premises solutions, Windows Intune mobile device management (as it was formerly known) is built in the cloud. This means IT administrators can deploy policies, install applications, and wipe data from devices anywhere in the world, provided the device has an internet connection.

The Two Pillars: MDM vs. MAM

Mobile Device Management (MDM):

This involves full device enrollment. Once a device is enrolled, the organisation "owns" the management of the hardware. You can enforce password requirements, configure Wi-Fi profiles, and install certificates.

Mobile Application Management (MAM): 

This is designed for "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) scenarios. Instead of managing the whole phone, you manage only the specific apps (like Outlook or OneDrive) that contain corporate data. This protects company info without infringing on the user's personal privacy.

Why Use Intune Mobile Device Management?

The shift toward Intune mobile device management is driven by the need for agility. Organisations are moving away from "imaging" computers manually and toward "provisioning" them through the cloud.

Key benefits include:

Zero-Touch Provisioning: 

Using Windows Autopilot, you can ship a laptop directly to an employee's house. Once they log in with their corporate credentials, Intune automatically configures the device.

Conditional Access:

Intune integrates with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) to deny access if a device is jailbroken or running an outdated OS.

Security Automation: 

Automatically push security patches and antivirus definitions to all endpoints without user intervention.

Multi-Platform Support: Beyond Windows

A common question for IT managers is: Can Intune manage Android devices? and Can Intune manage Linux devices? The answer to both is a resounding yes. While it started as a Windows-centric tool, Microsoft has evolved Intune into a true cross-platform powerhouse.

Managing Android with Intune

Can Intune manage Android devices? Yes, and it offers several ways to do so:

Android Enterprise: This is the modern standard, offering "Work Profiles" to separate personal and corporate data.

Device Administrator: A legacy method for older devices.

AOSP: Support for Android Open Source Project devices that don't use Google Mobile Services (often used in specialised ruggedised hardware).

Managing Linux with Intune

The question can Intune manage Linux devices became relevant more recently. Microsoft added support for Linux desktops (specifically Ubuntu LTS) to allow developers and engineers to work within the corporate security framework. This includes:

• Enforcing disk encryption.
• Password complexity requirements.
• Compliance reporting for Linux endpoints.

Managing Apple (iOS/macOS)

Intune integrates deeply with Apple Business Manager (ABM). This allows for "Supervised Mode," giving IT admins granular control over iPhones and Macs, including the ability to prevent the removal of the management profile.

How to Manage Devices with Microsoft Intune: A Step-by-Step Approach

Effective intune device management requires a strategic rollout. You cannot simply "turn it on" and expect seamless results. Follow these core steps to build a robust management framework.

1. Set the MDM Authority

Before you can manage devices, you must set the MDM authority to Microsoft Intune. In most modern Microsoft 365 tenants, this is set by default, but it is the essential first step to allow the cloud to "speak" to your hardware.

2. Configure Enrollment Restrictions

You need to decide which devices are allowed in your environment. You can restrict enrollment by:

Platform: (e.g., Allow Windows and iOS, block Android).

Version: (e.g., Only allow iOS 15 or higher).

Ownership: (e.g., Block personal devices from enrolling in MDM while allowing them for MAM).

3. Create Configuration Profiles

Configuration profiles are the "settings" of your devices. Instead of manual configuration, you create a policy in the Intune portal.

Examples: Pushing a corporate Wi-Fi password, setting the desktop wallpaper, or configuring VPN settings.

Pro Tip: Use "Settings Catalog" in Intune for a simplified way to find and toggle thousands of different device settings.

4. Establish Compliance Policies

Compliance policies define what a "healthy" device looks like. If a device fails a compliance check (e.g., it is not encrypted), it can be blocked from accessing email.

Common Checks: Is BitLocker enabled? Is the Firewall on? Is the OS up to date?

5. Application Deployment

Intune mobile device management isn't just about settings; it’s about productivity. You can use Intune to push the Microsoft 365 App suite, web links, or custom Line-of-Business (LOB) apps to your users automatically.

Security and Data Protection

The primary goal of Windows Intune mobile device management is security. Intune provides several layers of protection:

Remote Wipe vs. Retired

Wipe: This factory resets the device. Use this if a laptop or phone is stolen.

Retire: This only removes corporate data and applications. Use this when an employee leaves the company but keeps their personal phone.

Integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Intune works in tandem with Microsoft Defender. If Defender detects a "High Risk" threat on a device, it can communicate that status to Intune. Intune then marks the device as "Non-Compliant," and Conditional Access immediately cuts off the device's access to corporate data until the threat is remediated.

Best Practices for Intune Device Management

To get the most out of your investment in intune device management, consider these industry best practices:

Adopt a "Cloud-First" Mentality: 

Even if you have an on-premises Active Directory, aim to manage your devices primarily through Intune (Co-management) to reduce your reliance on corporate VPNs for updates.

Use Dynamic Groups: 

Instead of manually assigning policies to users, use Dynamic Groups in Entra ID. For example, create a group that automatically includes all "Marketing Department" users and assign their specific apps to that group.

Prioritise User Experience: 

Don't over-lock your devices. If security settings are too restrictive, employees will find "shadow IT" workarounds. Use MAM for personal devices to respect privacy while securing data.

Test with Pilot Groups: 

Always deploy new configuration profiles to a small "Pilot" group of users before pushing them to the entire organisation.

The Future of Windows Intune Mobile Device Management

As we look toward the future, intune device management is becoming more intelligent. With the integration of AI and Microsoft Copilot, IT admins will soon be able to generate configuration policies using natural language queries and receive predictive analytics regarding device health and battery life across the fleet.

Furthermore, the expansion of can Intune manage Linux devices and specialised IoT hardware shows that Microsoft is committed to making Intune a "single pane of glass" for every conceivable endpoint.

Conclusion

Managing a modern workforce requires more than just a firewall; it requires a sophisticated, cloud-native approach to endpoint security. Intune device management provides the tools necessary to secure data, empower employees, and simplify IT operations.

Whether you are wondering can Intune manage Android devices for your mobile fleet or looking to secure your workstations with Windows Intune mobile device management, the platform offers the flexibility to grow with your business. By implementing a structured approach to enrollment, compliance, and configuration, you can ensure that your organisation remains "Under One Cloud"—secure, connected, and productive.

Ready to Modernise Your IT? 

At Under One Cloud, we specialise in helping businesses navigate the complexities of Microsoft 365 and Intune. From initial tenant setup to advanced security configurations, our experts ensure your cloud journey is seamless. Contact us today to learn how we can optimise your intune mobile device management strategy.