When enrolling a Mac via Apple’s Device Enrollment Program (Automated Device Enrollment) in Swif, you may occasionally see the following error dialog during Setup Assistant:
An error occurred while obtaining automatic configuration settings
(Screenshot example below)
This message indicates the Mac is unable to reach Apple’s enrollment servers to download its configuration profile. This is not an issue with Swif’s servers. Use the steps below to restore connectivity and complete enrollment.
1. Verify Network Connectivity
Switch Wi-Fi networks
On the Setup Assistant Wi-Fi screen, choose a different SSID (e.g., a known-good office network or mobile hotspot).
Re-enter any required credentials or proxy settings.
Plug in via Ethernet (if available)
Use a Thunderbolt or USB-C Ethernet adapter to connect directly.
Ensure DHCP or manual IP settings are correct.
Check Captive Portals
Some public or guest networks require a browser login.
Open Safari (⌘+Space → “Safari”) to trigger the portal login page.
2. Restart the Mac
A simple reboot often clears transient network or DNS issues:
Hold the Power button until the Mac shuts down.
Wait 10–15 seconds, then press Power again.
Re-run Setup Assistant and retry enrollment.
3. Confirm Date & Time Are Correct
Apple’s servers require accurate system clocks:
In Setup Assistant, choose Utilities → Date & Time.
Ensure the date, time, and time zone match your location.
If off, adjust manually or enable Set date and time automatically pointing to Apple’s time server (
time.apple.com).
4. Check DNS & Proxy Settings
Misconfigured DNS or proxies can block Apple services:
DNS: Preferred (e.g.
8.8.8.8,1.1.1.1)Proxy: Bypass for
*.apple.comand*.push.apple.com
You can configure these in Utilities → Network within Setup Assistant.
5. Retry Enrollment
After correcting network or system settings:
Quit Setup Assistant ( → Quit).
Reboot if needed.
Restart the enrollment process from Swif’s portal or Apple Business Manager.
When to Contact Support
If you have tried all steps above and still see the error:
Collect logs: On a working network, press ⌘+L in Setup Assistant to view network log details.
Swif Support: Provide the log excerpt and a screenshot of the network panel.
Note: This error always indicates a problem reaching Apple's servers—not Swif’s—so focus on local network, DNS, or firewall settings.
By following these troubleshooting steps, most “automatic configuration settings” errors can be resolved quickly, allowing your Mac to enroll successfully into Swif’s MDM.