The Volume Purchase Program (VPP) was Apple’s way for organisations to buy apps and books in volume and hand the licences to employees, instead of everyone buying with a personal Apple Account. Apple has since reorganised its business tools. This guide explains what VPP was, what changed in 2026 and what to check before you plan a rollout.
What VPP was
In recent years VPP was part of Apple Business Manager, in its apps and books section. Organisations could buy licences in bulk and assign them to users or to devices, and reassign a licence when someone left.
What changed in 2026
Apple’s support guide now states that Apple Business Manager is now Apple Business, which combines the capabilities of Apple Business Manager, Apple Business Essentials and Apple Business Connect. In its announcement, Apple says Apple Business is available as a free service from 15 April 2026 in the US and more than 200 countries and regions, with built-in device management, and that Apple Business Manager will no longer be available once Apple Business launches.
How licences work in Apple Business
Apple’s guides for Apple Business (Get licences for apps and books and Intro to apps and books licences) describe the following:
- Buying. You can get licences for apps and books from the Apps and Books Store, as well as custom and unlisted apps from developers you work with directly. You must set up a payment method first, even for free apps.
- Assigning. Apps can be assigned to iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro devices, or to users. Books can be given to users only, not to devices.
- Control. Apps can be revoked and reassigned to other devices or users. Books cannot be revoked or reassigned.
- Countries. The App Store country is set by the address you used when signing up, and books follow the same country restrictions as apps.
- Rollout. Apple recommends assigning apps before devices are set up. With third-party device management, users receive an invitation and must accept it before apps are installed remotely.
Apple’s guides do not mention volume discounts.
Questions to ask before you plan
- Which apps does each team need, and are they free, paid or custom?
- Do you assign apps to people or to shared devices?
- Which tool will install the apps on the devices? See our guide on choosing an MDM solution.
- What happens to a licence when an employee leaves, and who is responsible for reassigning it?
- Does the app developer offer volume pricing? Apple’s guide does not mention discounts, so check each app’s listing.
Devices for your team with JUUZ.
JUUZ. offers Apple Workspace: Macs and iPhones to rent, lease or buy, delivered ready to work, centrally managed and supported 24/7, from €25 a month. If you are planning a rollout, contact us to discuss which setup suits your team.
