The answer is that the 20 devices lack a trusted certificate profile for the enterprise signing certificate. This is because iOS/iPadOS requires a device to explicitly trust the root certificate used to sign an enterprise LOB app before it can validate and install the app; without this trust, the installation remains in a 'pending install' status indefinitely. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Intune deploys enterprise-signed iOS LOB apps and the critical prerequisite of distributing a trusted certificate profile—often the same certificate used for the signing identity—to the device group. A common trap is assuming the app will install automatically once uploaded, but the exam emphasizes that certificate trust is a separate, mandatory step. Remember the mnemonic: "Sign it, then trust it"—the enterprise certificate signs the app, but a separate profile must trust that certificate on each device.
MD-102 Manage applications Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage applications. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An organization uses Microsoft Intune to manage iOS/iPadOS devices. They have a custom line-of-business (LOB) iOS app that must be deployed to 50 devices. The app is signed with an enterprise certificate. The administrator uploads the .ipa file to Intune and assigns it as 'Required' to a device group containing the 50 devices. After 24 hours, only 30 devices have the app installed. The remaining 20 devices show 'pending install' status. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The devices do not have a trusted certificate profile that trusts the enterprise signing certificate.
The most likely cause is that the 20 devices lack a trusted certificate profile that trusts the enterprise signing certificate. For an enterprise-signed LOB app to install on iOS/iPadOS, the device must trust the root certificate used to sign the app. Without a trusted certificate profile deployed via Intune, the installation will remain in 'pending install' status because the device cannot validate the app's signature.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The .ipa file exceeds the maximum file size allowed for LOB apps.
Why it's wrong here
iOS app size limits are higher; this is unlikely.
✗
The users on the 20 devices have not opened the Company Portal app to trigger the installation.
Why it's wrong here
Required LOB apps install silently without user interaction.
✓
The devices do not have a trusted certificate profile that trusts the enterprise signing certificate.
Why this is correct
Enterprise-signed apps require the device to trust the root certificate.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The MDM push certificate has expired, preventing app installation.
Why it's wrong here
Push certificate affects enrollment, not app installation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume 'pending install' means a user action is required (like opening Company Portal) or a network issue, but Microsoft Intune's MDM channel can push apps silently; the real blocker is certificate trust for enterprise-signed apps.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
iOS/iPadOS requires that any enterprise-signed app be signed with a certificate that chains to a trusted root certificate installed on the device. Intune deploys this trust via a 'Trusted certificate profile' (PKCS or SCEP) that installs the root CA certificate into the device's keychain. Without this profile, the device rejects the app signature, and Intune reports 'pending install' because the MDM command to install the app cannot complete. In real-world scenarios, administrators often forget to deploy the signing certificate before the app, leading to this exact symptom.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this MD-102 question in full detail.
Manage applications — This question tests Manage applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The devices do not have a trusted certificate profile that trusts the enterprise signing certificate. — The most likely cause is that the 20 devices lack a trusted certificate profile that trusts the enterprise signing certificate. For an enterprise-signed LOB app to install on iOS/iPadOS, the device must trust the root certificate used to sign the app. Without a trusted certificate profile deployed via Intune, the installation will remain in 'pending install' status because the device cannot validate the app's signature.
What should I do if I get this MD-102 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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