Why Helperbird Safari Extension Is Greyed Out on iPad (Jamf & MDM Explained)

If you’re deploying Helperbird to iPads using Jamf and notice that the Safari extension toggle is greyed out, this is expected behavior on many iPad setups.

This is not a Helperbird bug.
This is not usually a Jamf misconfiguration.

In most cases, this is a hard limitation set by Apple in iPadOS.

Step 1: Understand the Reality (This Part Is Important)

There are two very different situations, depending on the iPadOS version.

iPadOS 17 and Earlier

There is no way for Jamf (or any MDM) to automatically enable a Safari extension.

• Jamf can install the Helperbird app
• Apple does not allow MDMs to turn Safari extensions on
• A user must enable the extension manually
• If restrictions are in place, the toggle will stay greyed out

There is no workaround, script, or hidden setting that fixes this.

iPadOS 18 and Later (Supervised Devices Only)

Apple introduced limited MDM support for Safari extensions.

Even here:

• The device must be supervised
• Jamf must explicitly allow the extension
• Screen Time and content restrictions can still block it

Step 2: Why the Safari Extension Toggle Is Greyed Out

Screen Time Restrictions (Most Common)

If Screen Time is enabled with Content & Privacy Restrictions or Web Content filtering, Safari extensions may be completely disabled.

This is very common on school and business-managed iPads.

Device Management Restrictions

Some Jamf configuration profiles restrict Safari behavior, preventing manual changes.

Check on the iPad: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management

iPadOS Version Limitations

On iPadOS 17 and earlier, this behavior is expected and unavoidable.

Step 3: What You Can Actually Do (The Only Real Solutions)

iPadOS 17 and Earlier

1. Open Settings → Screen Time
2. Turn Content & Privacy Restrictions OFF (or set Web Content to Unrestricted)
3. Go to Settings → Safari → Extensions
4. Enable Helperbird manually

If restrictions cannot be removed, there is no way to enable the extension.

iPadOS 18+ (Supervised Devices)

1. Confirm the iPad is supervised and enrolled via Automated Device Enrollment
2. In Jamf, ensure the extension is not set to Always Off
3. Verify Screen Time isn’t blocking extensions
4. Enable Helperbird in Safari settings

TL;DR

• If the toggle is greyed out, nothing is broken
• On iPadOS 17 and earlier, manual enablement is required
• If restrictions are locked, there may be no solution
• On iPadOS 18+, MDM control exists but is still limited
• Once enabled, Helperbird works normally

Need Help?

If you’re unsure which restriction is blocking Helperbird, contact the Helperbird support team:
https://www.helperbird.com/support