How To Force Sync Intune: Get Your Devices Updated Today

Miss Karelle Runolfsson I 21 Aug 2025

Keeping your work devices up-to-date with the latest organizational policies, applications, and security requirements is, you know, really important. Sometimes, waiting for the regular, automatic sync just isn't quick enough. Perhaps you've just rolled out a critical update, or maybe a new application needs to reach users right away. That's where knowing how to make your devices connect with Intune on demand becomes, actually, quite useful.

Many folks might be familiar with older methods, like running `gpupdate` for Group Policy, but with Intune, things are a little different, in a way. This guide will show you several practical ways to make your devices check in with Microsoft Intune. We'll look at options for both the everyday user and the IT administrator, so, everyone can find what they need.

Understanding these methods helps ensure your devices receive those vital updates and policies without unnecessary delays, which, honestly, makes a big difference in device management. We'll cover everything from simple clicks in the Company Portal to more involved PowerShell scripts, so, stick around.

Why Forcing an Intune Sync Matters
Understanding Intune's Automatic Sync
Methods to Force Intune Sync for Users
Methods to Force Intune Sync for Administrators
Syncing Specific Device Types
Addressing Browser Sync Issues (Microsoft Edge)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion

Why Forcing an Intune Sync Matters

Making a device immediately check in with Intune is pretty important for a few good reasons, you know. When you force a sync, your device gets the very latest updates, policies, and app deployments from your organization right away. This is, in a way, like telling your device, "Hey, go get the new instructions now!"

Without a manual push, there can be delays. Devices usually sync on their own schedule, but sometimes you just can't wait for that next automatic check-in. For example, if you've just assigned a crucial security policy or a new business application, you'd want devices to pick that up as soon as possible, you know.

This immediate connection helps ensure that all devices are compliant and have the necessary tools to do their job effectively. It helps keep things running smoothly, so, it's a valuable skill to have, really.

Understanding Intune's Automatic Sync

Intune devices do, actually, check in with the service on their own, usually. There's a default sync interval that governs how often devices connect to pull down new information. This background syncing is, in a way, designed to keep things updated without constant manual intervention, so, that's pretty good.

The exact timing can vary, but devices typically connect periodically throughout the day. This means that if you make a change in the Intune console, it might take a little while for all devices to receive it automatically. That's why, you know, sometimes a forced sync becomes necessary.

It's good to understand this automatic process, but also to know that you have options when you need things to happen faster. The goal is always to keep your devices current, and understanding both the automatic and manual methods helps with that, you know, quite a bit.

Methods to Force Intune Sync for Users

For people using Intune-managed devices, there are several straightforward ways to make their device sync. These methods are pretty accessible, so, anyone can do them. They help ensure you get the latest stuff without needing an IT admin to step in, which is, actually, quite handy.

Company Portal App

The Company Portal app is, arguably, one of the easiest ways for users to initiate a sync. This app is designed to be user-friendly, providing a simple interface for managing your enrolled device. You just open it up, and there's usually a clear option to sync, so, it's very intuitive.

To do this, you would:

Open the Company Portal application on your Windows device.
Go to the "Devices" section or find your specific device listed.
Look for a "Sync" button or an option to check for updates. Clicking this will, you know, tell your device to connect with Intune right away.

This method is, honestly, a go-to for many users because it's so direct. It's like a quick refresh button for your device's connection to Intune, so, it's pretty useful.

Windows Settings App (Work or School Account)

Windows 10 and 11 also offer a way to sync directly through the built-in Settings app, which is, actually, quite convenient. This method is good because it doesn't require any extra applications beyond what's already on your system. It's integrated into the operating system itself, so, it's always there.

Here's how you'd typically do it:

Open the Windows "Settings" app.
Go to "Accounts" and then select "Access work or school."
Find your connected work or school account and click on it.
Then, click the "Info" button.
On the next screen, you should see a "Sync" button. Clicking this will, you know, force your device to check in with Intune.

This is, honestly, another very common and effective way to get your device to update its policies. It's a bit like, you know, manually refreshing your connection settings.

Sometimes, you might find sync options directly accessible from your Start Menu or Taskbar, especially if your organization has set things up that way. This is, in a way, a quick shortcut that can save you a few clicks. It's not always available, but it's worth checking for, you know.

For example, some users report finding a "Sync" option by right-clicking certain icons or through specific entries in the Start Menu related to company apps. This is, arguably, less common than the Company Portal or Settings app, but it's good to know it might be there, so, keep an eye out.

If you see a quick sync option, it's usually just a click away. These kinds of shortcuts are, actually, pretty helpful for quick actions, especially if you need to sync often.

Enabling dmwappushservice (Windows 10/11)

For those times when a device seems a bit stubborn about syncing, checking the `dmwappushservice` can be, you know, a useful step. This service plays a role in how Windows devices communicate with management services like Intune. If it's not running correctly, it could affect sync operations, so, that's something to look at.

To check and potentially enable this service:

Open the "Services" application (you can search for it in the Start Menu).
Find the service named "dmwappushservice."
Make sure its "Startup type" is set to "Automatic" and that its "Status" is "Running." If it's not, you might need to start it or change its startup type, which, you know, can help.

This is, honestly, a more technical step for users, but it can sometimes resolve underlying sync issues. It's a bit like, you know, making sure the communication lines are open and ready.

Methods to Force Intune Sync for Administrators

Administrators often need more powerful ways to manage device syncs, especially when dealing with many devices. The Intune console itself offers some direct options, and for even greater control, scripting tools like PowerShell and the Microsoft Graph API are, actually, quite useful. These methods let you trigger syncs across your entire fleet, or just a few, so, they're very versatile.

Intune/MEM Console (Single or Bulk Devices)

The Microsoft Intune admin console is, arguably, the primary tool for most administrators. It provides a straightforward way to initiate a sync for individual devices or, in some cases, a small group. This is where most admins will start when they need to push an immediate policy update, so, it's pretty familiar.

To sync from the console:

Log into the Microsoft Intune admin center (formerly MEM console).
Go to "Devices" and then "All devices."
Select the device (or devices, up to a certain limit, often 100 at once) you want to sync.
Click the "Sync" action from the device's overview page or the bulk actions menu.

This action tells the selected device to check in with Intune immediately, receiving any pending actions or policies. It's, honestly, a very direct way to get things moving, so, it's quite popular.

PowerShell Scripting for Device Sync

For administrators who need to automate or sync many devices at once, PowerShell is, actually, a fantastic tool. It allows for more granular control and can be integrated into larger automation workflows. This is where you can really leverage the power of scripting, you know.

Installing Modules

Before you can use PowerShell to talk to Intune, you need the right modules. The `Microsoft.Graph.Intune` module is, arguably, what you'll typically need. Installing it is usually a one-time setup step, so, it's pretty straightforward.

You would open PowerShell as an administrator and run a command like `Install-Module Microsoft.Graph.Intune`. This gets your system ready to send commands to Intune, which is, honestly, the first important step.

Authenticating

Once the modules are in place, you need to authenticate your PowerShell session with Intune. This means logging in with an account that has the necessary permissions to manage devices. This step ensures that only authorized users can trigger syncs, so, it's very secure.

You'll typically use a command like `Connect-MSGraph -Scope Device.ReadWrite.All` or similar, which will prompt you to sign in. This establishes a secure connection, which is, actually, pretty vital for any administrative task.

Fetching Device ID

To sync a specific device, you need its unique identifier, its device ID. You can get this from the Intune console or by using PowerShell to query your enrolled devices. This ID is how you tell Intune exactly which device you want to target, so, it's important to get it right.

A command like `Get-IntuneManagedDevice | Select-Object DeviceName, Id` can help you list devices and their IDs. Having the correct ID is, honestly, key to making sure your sync command goes to the right place.

Automating Sync Commands

With authentication and device IDs, you can then automate the sync command. PowerShell allows you to loop through a list of devices and trigger a sync for each one. This is, arguably, where the real time-saving comes in for bulk operations, so, it's very efficient.

A command like `Invoke-IntuneManagedDeviceSync -ManagedDeviceId "your-device-id"` would be used. You can wrap this in a script to sync multiple devices, which is, honestly, a powerful way to manage your fleet, you know.

Learn more about PowerShell scripting on our site for more detailed examples.

Microsoft Graph API Integration

For even deeper integration and custom applications, the Microsoft Graph API offers a way to programmatically interact with Intune. This is for developers or those building custom management tools. It's, arguably, the most flexible option for triggering syncs, so, it's very powerful.

Using the Graph API means you can send HTTP requests to Intune to perform actions like forcing a device sync. This requires a good understanding of API calls and authentication tokens, which is, actually, a bit more advanced.

This method is, honestly, fantastic for creating bespoke solutions or integrating Intune management into other systems. It's a bit like, you know, having direct access to Intune's brain.

Syncing Specific Device Types

While the general idea of forcing a sync is similar across different device types, the exact steps or tools you use might vary slightly. Intune manages a wide range of operating systems, so, it's good to know the specifics for each. This ensures you can apply the right method to the right device, you know.

Windows 10/11 Devices

For Windows devices, the methods we've already discussed are, arguably, the most common. Users can use the Company Portal or the Settings app, while administrators can leverage the Intune console or PowerShell. These options cover most scenarios for Windows, so, they're pretty comprehensive.

Remember that for Windows 10/11, enabling the `dmwappushservice` can sometimes help if syncs are not happening as expected. It's, honestly, a good troubleshooting step to keep in mind, you know.

macOS Devices

Syncing macOS devices with Intune also has its own set of steps. While the Intune console method for administrators remains the same, users on macOS would typically use the Company Portal app for Mac. This app provides similar functionality to its Windows counterpart, so, it's familiar.

To manually sync a macOS device, you would open the Company Portal app and look for the sync option for your device. This ensures your Mac receives the latest configurations and applications, which is, actually, quite important for consistent management.

Android Devices

Android devices, too, rely on the Company Portal app for user-initiated syncs. When an Android device is enrolled, the Company Portal acts as the main interface for device management tasks. This makes it easy for users to check in, so, it's very accessible.

Users can open the Company Portal app on their Android device, go to their device details, and find a "Check Status" or "Sync" option. This helps ensure the device gets the most recent updates, policies, and apps from your organization, which is, honestly, pretty vital.

iOS/iPadOS Devices

Similarly, for iOS and iPadOS devices, the Company Portal app is the primary way for users to force a sync. This helps them receive the latest configurations and updates. Sometimes, if devices are showing as inactive in the Intune console, a manual sync from the device can help re-establish communication, so, it's a good first step.

If you have an iOS/iPadOS device, open the Company Portal app, select your device, and initiate a sync. This is, arguably, the most direct way to get these devices to check in, ensuring they remain compliant and up-to-date, you know.

Addressing Browser Sync Issues (Microsoft Edge)

Sometimes, the issue isn't with the device itself syncing with Intune, but with specific applications, like Microsoft Edge, failing to sync user data. This can be, you know, quite frustrating when favorites, passwords, and extensions aren't appearing as expected. Intune policies can dictate how Edge syncs, so, it's worth checking.

Intune Policy for Edge Sync

Intune allows administrators to set policies that control Microsoft Edge's sync behavior. For example, you can force browser data to sync without user consent. If Edge sync isn't working, the first place to look is, actually, the Intune policy that governs it, so, that's pretty important.

You can view the Intune settings catalog profile report from the Intune portal to see an overview of these policies. Confirming that the policy is set correctly is, honestly, a key troubleshooting step, you know.

Troubleshooting Edge Sync

If the Intune policy is confirmed to be correct but Edge sync still isn't working, there are a few things to check. This could affect both macOS and Windows PCs, and even the latest versions of Edge. It's a bit like, you know, making sure all the pieces are talking to each other.

Things to consider include:

Ensuring Edge is on its latest version.
Checking if the user has confirmed they want to sync data with their Azure AD account.
Looking for any error messages within Edge's sync settings.

These steps can often help pinpoint why Edge isn't syncing as expected. It's, honestly, a process of elimination, but usually, you find the cause, you know. You can learn more about device management on our site for related topics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

People often have similar questions when it comes to Intune syncing. Here are some common ones, with some thoughts on them, you know.

How long does Intune take to sync?

Intune devices typically sync periodically throughout the day, so, there isn't one exact answer. The default sync intervals mean it can take a little while for changes to propagate automatically. However, when you force a sync, the device should connect with Intune almost immediately to receive pending actions or policies. It's, honestly, much faster than waiting for the next automatic check-in, you know.

Why isn't my Intune device syncing?

There could be several reasons why an Intune device isn't syncing. It might be a network issue, meaning the device can't reach the Intune service. Sometimes, the `dmwappushservice` on Windows devices might not be running correctly, which, you know, can cause problems. Also, the device might be inactive or not checking in periodically as it should. Checking the Company Portal or Settings app for sync options is usually a good first step, so, try that.

Can I force an Intune sync from the command line?

Yes, administrators can force an Intune sync from the command line, but it's not a simple `gpupdate`-like command directly on the client. Instead, you would typically use PowerShell scripts that interact with the Microsoft Graph API or the `Microsoft.Graph.Intune` module. This allows you to trigger a sync for specific devices from a central administrative workstation, which is, honestly, a powerful way to manage things, you know.

Conclusion

Understanding how to force an Intune sync is, honestly, a valuable skill for both users and administrators. Whether it's through the Company Portal, Windows Settings, or more advanced PowerShell scripts, these methods help ensure devices get the latest policies and apps without unnecessary delays. It's all about keeping your devices updated and secure, which, you know, makes a big difference.

By using these different approaches, you can respond quickly to new requirements or troubleshoot devices that seem a bit behind. It helps maintain a smooth and efficient device management environment. So, next time you need a device to check in right away, you'll know just what to do.

If you're looking to keep your devices perfectly aligned with your organization's needs, consider exploring these sync options. They can truly streamline your workflow and ensure everyone has what they need, when they need it. For further details on Microsoft Intune, you might find more helpful information on the official Microsoft Learn documentation.

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