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Microsoft Intune Mobile Device Management: Complete Guide for UK Businesses

How Microsoft Intune secures company and personal phones and laptops: features, licensing, setup steps and BYOD for UK businesses.

By Omega IT27 January 2026Updated 28 October 20264 min read

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Microsoft Intune mobile device management for business

What is Microsoft Intune Mobile Device Management?

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solution that helps businesses secure and manage their devices. As part of Microsoft's Enterprise Mobility + Security suite, Intune mobile management is the go-to solution for businesses using Microsoft 365.

This guide explains how Intune MDM works and why it's essential for UK businesses managing smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

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Why Businesses Need Mobile Device Management

With remote and hybrid work now standard, employees access company data from multiple devices. Without proper mobile device management, you risk:

  • Data breaches from lost or stolen devices
  • Malware infections spreading to corporate networks
  • Compliance violations when data isn't properly protected
  • Shadow IT with unapproved apps accessing company data
  • No visibility into how devices are being used

Microsoft Intune Mobile Management Features

Device Enrollment and Management

Intune supports multiple enrollment methods for different scenarios:

  • Corporate-owned devices: Full management and control
  • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Manage only work apps and data
  • Shared devices: Multi-user device support for frontline workers
  • Automated enrollment: Zero-touch provisioning with Windows Autopilot

Supported Platforms

  • Windows 10 and Windows 11
  • macOS
  • iOS and iPadOS
  • Android (including Android Enterprise)
  • Linux (preview)

Security Policies

Intune mobile management enforces security policies including:

  • Device compliance: Require encryption, PIN, and security updates
  • Conditional Access: Only compliant devices access company resources
  • App protection policies: Protect data within managed apps
  • Remote wipe: Erase company data from lost devices
  • Endpoint security: Antivirus, firewall, and disk encryption policies

Application Management

  • Deploy apps: Push required apps to devices automatically
  • App configuration: Pre-configure app settings
  • Managed App Store: Curated company app catalog
  • App protection: Prevent copy/paste between work and personal apps
  • Update management: Control when apps are updated

Intune vs Other MDM Solutions

Intune Advantages

  • Native Microsoft 365 integration: Seamless with Outlook, Teams, SharePoint
  • Azure AD integration: Single sign-on and conditional access
  • No on-premise infrastructure: Fully cloud-based
  • Included in many licenses: Part of Microsoft 365 Business Premium
  • Windows Autopilot: Zero-touch device provisioning

When to Consider Intune

  • You're already using Microsoft 365
  • You need to manage Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices
  • You want cloud-based management without servers
  • You require conditional access and compliance policies
  • You're implementing BYOD for your workforce

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Setting Up Intune Mobile Management

Step 1: License Requirements

Intune is included in:

  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium
  • Microsoft 365 E3 and E5
  • Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 and E5
  • Standalone Intune subscription

Step 2: Configure MDM Authority

Set Intune as your MDM authority in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.

Step 3: Device Enrollment

Configure enrollment settings for each platform:

  • Windows: Azure AD join or Autopilot
  • iOS: Apple Push Notification certificate required; for zero-touch enrolment, connect Intune to Apple Business, which replaced Apple Business Manager in 2026
  • Android: Android Enterprise enrollment
  • macOS: Apple MDM push certificate

Step 4: Create Compliance Policies

Define what makes a device compliant - encryption, password complexity, OS version, etc.

Step 5: Deploy Apps and Configurations

Push required apps and configure security settings.

BYOD with Intune: Protecting Personal Devices

For employees using personal devices, Intune offers Mobile Application Management (MAM) without full device enrollment:

  • Protect only company apps and data
  • Employees keep full control of personal content
  • Wipe only work data if employee leaves
  • No visibility into personal apps or photos
  • Perfect balance of security and privacy

Intune Mobile Management for UK Businesses

At Omega IT, we help businesses implement Microsoft Intune mobile device management to secure their workforce. Our services include:

  • Intune setup and configuration
  • Device enrollment and onboarding
  • Security policy development
  • App deployment and management
  • Ongoing support and monitoring
  • BYOD policy development

Contact us today to secure your mobile workforce with Intune mobile management.

Frequently asked questions

Is Microsoft Intune included in Microsoft 365 Business plans?

Microsoft Intune is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium. It is not included in Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Microsoft 365 Business Standard. If your organisation is on Basic or Standard and wants Intune, you would need to either upgrade to Business Premium or purchase an Intune standalone licence per user. Microsoft 365 Business Premium is typically the right choice for businesses that want the full suite of security and management tools — Intune, Defender for Business, and Entra ID conditional access — in a single per-user subscription.

Can Intune manage personally owned devices (BYOD)?

Yes — Intune supports several enrolment modes for personally owned devices. The most common for SMEs is Mobile Application Management (MAM) without full device enrolment: Intune manages specific apps (such as Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive) and the data within them, without gaining control of the device itself. This protects business data in those apps — it can be remotely wiped from the app without affecting the user's personal data — while respecting staff privacy.

What happens to Intune-managed apps when an employee leaves?

When a user's licence is removed or a selective wipe is triggered in Intune, managed apps on their device are wiped of business data — emails, files, and credentials are removed from the managed apps. If the device is company-owned and fully enrolled, a full remote wipe can return it to factory settings. If it is a personally owned device under MAM-only enrolment, only the managed apps are affected; the user's personal photos, messages, and apps are untouched.

How long does it take to set up Microsoft Intune for a small business?

A basic Intune deployment — configuring compliance policies, setting up app protection policies, and enrolling an existing fleet of Windows and mobile devices — can usually be completed quickly for a small business once policies are agreed. More complex deployments involving conditional access policies or hybrid Azure AD join take longer. Your IT provider should provide a deployment plan with a realistic timeline based on your fleet size and complexity.

Can Intune manage Apple Macs and iPhones alongside Windows devices?

Yes — Intune is a cross-platform MDM solution that manages Windows PCs, iOS and iPadOS devices, Android devices, and macOS. For Apple devices, Intune works alongside Apple Business (which replaced Apple Business Manager in 2026) for zero-touch iPhone and iPad enrolment. For mixed Windows-and-Apple fleets, Intune provides a single management console rather than needing separate tools per platform. Some advanced macOS management capabilities are more limited in Intune than in dedicated Mac MDM platforms like Jamf, which is worth considering if your fleet is predominantly Mac.

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