Supports macOS Sequoia

MDS

Modern Mac Deployment

Buy Download Trial
Abstract Shapes

Deploy Intel and Apple Silicon Macs Fast

Quickly set up and provision Macs with MDS. MDS is a macOS application that creates workflows for installing macOS, macOS applications, scripts, users, and configuration. It can also host workflows on a web server and make them available to run over the network. MDS works with Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.  It is compatible with DFU Blaster Pro, Automaton 2, MDMs, Apple Configurator, and Acroname Hubs, which can automate, set up, and provision Macs more efficiently.

 

See It in Action


Pricing


See info for education organizations



Buy Now
Buy Now
Buy Now

MDS Features

  • Create Workflows
  • Install Packages
  • Install macOS
  • Automate Restores
  • Host Workflows on a Web Server
  • Create Bootable macOS Volumes
  • Configure Automaton
  • Save to Disk Image
  • Save to External Volume
  • Add Packages to Workflows

Compatibility

MDS can be used to deploy Macs from 2013 to the present. Use MDS to reset, restore, set up, and install applications on Intel Macs. Apple Silicon Macs can be restored to factory default using DFU Blaster and MDS to set up and install applications and run scripts.

Scalable

MDS allows you to scale up workflow deployments quickly. Workflows can be hosted over the network or saved to run from external drive(s), so you can quickly run any workflow on one or one hundred machines simultaneously.

Run Workflows External Drive or Web Server

MDS can save the macOS installer, workflows, and configuration on an external volume or Disk Image via a Web Service for quick and easy access. After booting up from the recovery partition, you have all the resources you need for re-installing macOS and installer packages.

Fully Automate with Automaton 2

Reduce the time in front of each Mac to less than 10 seconds! Automaton 2 automates the commands to start up in the recovery partition and kick off workflows. Using Automaton makes it easy to set up and deploy a large number of Macs. Once the workflow starts running, the automaton can be unplugged and plugged into the next Mac. We recommend 5 automatons per tech that will be deploying Macs for peak efficiency!

Restore from the Recovery Partition

MDS works by booting from the recovery partition (holding Command-R at boot or holding the power button on an Apple Silicon Mac), restoring from an external drive or web server, and then installing optional packages. In the past, administrators used NetBoot or booting from an external volume, but currently shipping Macs do not support NetBooting or booting from an external drive without changing security settings.

 

Open Source

The source code for MDS is freely available as Open Source under a BSD-style license. If you would like a compiled, notarized and signed version of MDS, you can purchase licenses as well as support for MDS.

We also sell Automaton 2 to automate your Mac deployments.

Perfect Complement for MDM & DEP

MDS does not replace a client management system but instead works seamlessly with it. Whether you are using Munki, FileWave, or an MDM-based client management system, use MDS to install the package that installs the client or enrolls the system.

If you are using Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP), MDS can be used to quickly restore non-responsive systems with an automated workflow for re-installing macOS.

Use a macOS Externally Bootable Disk

MDS walks you through creating a bootable external disk to run workflows from an external drive or do maintenance on macOS without booting into the internal drive.

 

Resources

System Requirements

  • Version history
  • Intel-based or Apple Silicon Mac
  • macOS  14 Sonoma or 15 Sequoia

Keep In Touch

Connect With Us

Sign Up for MDS Security and Product Updates

Enter your information below to receive email updates when there is new information specifically regarding this product and how to use it. Alternatively, to receive email updates for general information from Twocanoes Software, please see the Subscribe page.

Name

What Our Customers Are Saying

  • “This is fantastic.”

  • “The automaton is so *cute*!”

  • “Now you’re getting real”

  • “What a great idea #macdeploystick is”

  • “😎👍!”

  • “twocanoes.com makes the coolest MacAdmin tools!”

  • “Refreshing my labs just got a whole lot easier!”

  • “I used MDS for around 20-30 MacBook Pros. It worked flawlessly. I’ll be using it for more than 100 Macs soon.”

  • “A MacDeployStick in every CI worker provides touchless MacOS reimaging.”

  • “Mac admins have a new way to deploy macOS to their Apple devices with the Mac Deploy Stick.”
    – TechRepublic

  • “Tim Perfitt of Two Canoes returns to the pod this week to talk about their new product, Mac Deploy Stick!”
    – Mac Admins Podcast

  • “Created mdsresources.dmg with multiple workflows, saved to an smb share, boot to recovery, enter 4 commands, choose workflow and boom, rocking and rolling with three different lab setups to choose from, next up-program the automaton for those commands”

MDS Videos

MDS News & Tips


Knowledgebase

Preload Applications on Apple Silicon Macs

 March 5, 2025
Create an MDS Workflow to preload applications before adding admin or standard users to a Mac. Users given new machines can access the preloaded applications…
Read More
Knowledgebase

What’s New in MDS 6.0

 February 24, 2025
Build 60024 MDS can be updated by downloading the latest version from the Version History page. Since MDS 5 was released, the landscape for deploying…
Read More