---
title: Managed and unmanaged devices
slug: neurons-for-itam/help/enu/latest/managed-and-unmanaged-devices
createdAt: 2026-07-06T09:08:29.915Z
---

The **Hardware Assets** workspace displays asset records for managed and unmanaged devices.

*Managed* devices typically have a unique serial number and can be conveniently mapped during import or discovery to one of the five known asset types (computer, mobile device, general asset, peripheral device, and infrastructure). Managed devices display by default.

*Unmanaged* devices are usually specialized devices (such as medical devices, IoT assets, and Cloud Service assets) that generally don't have a serial number and don't map conveniently to an asset type when discovered. By default, these devices display in the **Unmanaged Devices** saved-searches list. The asset record page for unmanaged devices contains only the tabs for **Details**, **Discovery**, **Installed Software**, and **Audit History**.

To change an unmanaged device to a managed one, you need to re-allocate it to one of the known asset types mentioned above, or to one of the newer asset types of **Medical Device**, **Cloud Service Asset**, etc. that are available in the **More** drop-down menu. As part of this process, you'll also want to select a subtype that further defines the device.

**To change an unmanaged device to a managed one**

You must be an Asset Administrator to complete this procedure.

1. Open the **Hardware Assets** workspace. The list of managed devices in your database displays by default.
2. In the saved-searches list, select **Unmanaged Devices** to view the list of unmanaged devices.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/parib0MC3hVoUNdfQdnac/kZyiY3ZlY0KnWd3f0LLzh_savedsearch.png" alt="Unmanaged Devices saved-search list used to view all unmanaged devices." position="flex-start" size="60" width="1139" height="720" initialPath="Images/SavedSearch.png" githubPath="ITAM Help/Images/SavedSearch.png" showCaption="false" darkWidth="1139" darkHeight="720" indent="1"}

3. Double-click an unmanaged device to open its asset record.
4. Click the **More** drop-down menu at the top right of the page, then click **Administration Actions > Change Asset Type**.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/parib0MC3hVoUNdfQdnac/3a7lPzpPgBQ9T-N6DbWlL_moremenuadmin.png" alt="More drop-down menu used by Asset Administrators to change an asset type." position="flex-start" size="50" width="1494" height="428" initialPath="Images/MoreMenuAdmin.png" githubPath="ITAM Help/Images/MoreMenuAdmin.png" showCaption="false" darkWidth="1494" darkHeight="428" indent="1"}

5. Select a suitable Asset Type and Asset Subtype, then click **OK**.

:::hint{type="info"}
You can't create new asset types in ITAM, but you *can* create new subtypes if needed. For details, see [Asset validation lists](docId\:X-N6ZLrsvJ4zq3UypufAr).
:::

For details about working with managed asset records, see [Hardware assets](docId\:OsG0aZFj64REphV3KKZqZ).