What Does a MDM message mean on my Mac Air ?

MDM indicates a "managed" computer, one likely cast off by a school or business without having been properly prepared for resale.

Do System Settings > General. Scroll to the bottom of the list to find "Device Management" and open it. It should look like this on a new Mac purchased from a legitimate seller:

If a profile shows, you need to return the computer for a full refund.

Did you buy the computer directly from Apple? If not, only the seller can remove the management software in most cases.

Travilinlite wrote:

No not Apple but another major retailer.

Was the retailer Apple Authorized? Check here: Find Locations

If they're not listed, you may be out of luck. As stated above, MDM (mobile device management) is a type of system used by organizations to manage devices, and that management includes the ability lock and/or wipe the device remotely, as protection against theft.

Travilinlite wrote:

I have had problems with my computer as far as logging in. I have contacted Apple Support many times about the situation. I ended up erasing everything to start over fresh. I now am getting a MDM message what does that mean and can I fix it. I am going to Apple Store tomorrow hoping they can help but I’ve tried to reset the password so many times it’s crazy. Help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Not-specific problem reports can be somewhere between difficult and impossible to diagnose and address.

What are the issues with logging in?

What are the MDM messages?

Screenshots might help, exact wording can help, because details matter.

Contact matters, too. It’s utterly normal and expected to see console message chatter logged about MDM-related activity, too. Yes, there is MDM chatter in the logs, even when there is no MDM configured or active.

I Exchanged the original one I bought brand new for the one I’m on now. I thought it was brand new came in all new packaging and looked new. I did not check to see if there was already a profile on it but as soon as I moved into my new place and changed the info as far as internet addresses etc I’ve had issues.

That can be due to old network settings or old dependencies not yet cleared, or due to problems with the new ISP connection or with the new ISP hardware, due to macOS network configuration errors, or due to details including interference.

Given you have an easily-portable MacBook Air, does that Mac connect to Wi-Fi networks elsewhere?

MDM profiles are rarely involved with network connection issues. While it is possible that MDM profiles can be provided by a business or organization to allow a managed or supervised device to connect to an associated network, that would be unlikely here. In this context, I would not expect anything MDM-related past the usual background benign and unrelated MDM-related chatter in the logs.

And here, I’d usually expect ISP connection issues to be the central concern, and those seldom involve any MDM.

But again, details and context and specifics and screenshots matter.

The old timers here have seen "major retailers" sell some pretty questionable Macs. Even places that one that sounds like a South American river cannot check up on their "partners" unless they get enough complaints.

What does "Device Management" show?

What does System Preferences > General > AppleCare & Warranty show?

If you bought the computer used, there is a very high probability that you purchased a stolen machine.