Configure Helperbird on Mac with a mobileconfig Profile

A .mobileconfig profile lets your organization supply Helperbird settings to Safari on managed Macs. You can provide a subscription key, restrict features, exclude websites, and set reading preferences.

For iPhone and iPad, use managed app configuration or declarative app management. The Mac profile below does not configure the iOS app.

Before You Start

• Enroll the Mac in your mobile device management service, such as Jamf Pro.
• Install a signed Helperbird Apple build containing the 2026.9.6 managed-settings support. Confirm the version with your deployment contact; a profile cannot add support to an older app.
• Enable Helperbird's Safari extension separately. This profile configures settings; it does not install the app or enable the extension.
• Have an organization subscription key if you want to supply Pro access. You can manage features without a key.

These steps describe Helperbird's implemented configuration format. Test the signed build on an enrolled Mac before deploying to your whole organization.

Step 2: Deploy to a Test Mac

In Jamf Pro, create or upload a computer configuration profile and scope it to a test Mac. Follow your MDM's profile upload and signing process.

If you use Application & Custom Settings instead, select Jamf custom preferences (.plist) in the builder. Upload that preferences file and enter com.helperbird.Helperbird.Extension as the preference domain. Do not paste a complete .mobileconfig into a field expecting a preferences dictionary.

Keep profiles containing subscription keys within your organization's deployment system. The builder generates files locally, but downloaded files still contain any key you entered.

For Chrome or Edge on Mac, use the browser-specific domains in the Jamf deployment guide. They differ from the Safari domain.

Step 3: Check the Settings

1. Confirm that your MDM reports the profile as installed on the test Mac.
2. Open Safari on an ordinary website, then open Helperbird.
3. Check that one configured feature restriction takes effect.
4. If you supplied a subscription key, check Helperbird's subscription status while the Mac is online.
5. Change one feature setting, deliver the update, and verify it again.

Helperbird checks for policy changes at startup and periodically while its background is active. Sleeping devices and suspended browsers can delay updates. A subscription key must validate successfully; a profile cannot grant Pro by setting paid: true.

Change or Remove Settings

Update the existing profile in your MDM to rotate a key or change a feature. Keep that profile's identity stable so the update replaces the intended configuration.

An empty or omitted subKey releases managed licensing while other supplied feature settings remain active. To release all organization settings, set isAdminControl to false or remove the profile. Personal settings and any personal subscription can then apply again.

Verify removal online and after a Safari restart before widening the deployment.

Troubleshooting

Nothing changes: check the app version, installed profile, boolean isAdminControl, and preference domain. com.helperbird.Helperbird is the containing app, not the Mac Safari extension.

A Terminal preference has no effect: ordinary defaults write values are deliberately ignored. Helperbird reads forced managed preferences on Mac.

A feature stays available: enable disableFeatures and check the exact feature code in the builder. The list uses codes, not translated display names.

Pro does not unlock: check the subscription key and required network domains. Feature management and subscription validation are separate.

Need Additional Help?

Contact Helperbird support with the platform, app version, MDM, and the setting that failed. Remove subscription keys from screenshots and exported files before sharing them.

For platform details, see Apple's configuration profile planning guide (opens in a new tab) and Jamf's Application & Custom Settings guide (opens in a new tab).