We have a WebContentFilter that has an AllowList with a couple of domains and a DenyList that includes www.apple.com. This works on iOS18.x but doesn't work in iOS26 as www.apple.com can be reached. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/deployment/depc77c9609/web Indicates that .apple.com is always accessible but evidence seems to indicate this wasn't the case pre iOS26. An older version of this page https://web.archive.org/web/20220427202204/https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/deployment/depc77c9609/web has no mention of .apple.com although field names are also different. Has this change come about due to the filtering changes introduced in iOS26 and is there any way we can still block .apple.com going forward. Would a content plugin be an options ?

Steps to Reproduce Step 1: Fetch Initial Device List Called the device list endpoint to retrieve all devices and saved the cursor: GET https://mdmenrollment.apple.com/server/devices Step 2: Modify Devices Added and deleted several devices via https://business.apple.com/ Step 3: Sync Without Pagination Called the sync endpoint using the cursor from Step 1 (no limit): GET https://mdmenrollment.apple.com/devices/sync?cursor={step1_cursor} Result: Returned 3 device records as expected: { "devices": [ { "serial_number": "F70JJ4C16L", "op_type": "added", "op_date": "2025-12-11T07:05:05Z" }, { "serial_number": "F70JJ4C16L", "op_type": "deleted", "op_date": "2025-12-11T07:04:36Z" }, { "serial_number": "C8RWGXZXJWF5", "op_type": "deleted", "op_date": "2025-12-11T07:04:52Z" } ], "more_to_follow": false } Step 4: Sync With Pagination (First Page) Called the sync endpoint using the same cursor from Step 1 with limit=1: GET https://mdmenrollment.apple.com/devices/sync?cursor={step1_cursor}&limit=1 Result: Returned 1 record with more_to_follow: true — indicating more data exists: { "devices": [ { "serial_number": "F70JJ4C16L", "op_type": "added", "op_date": "2025-12-11T07:05:05Z" } ], "more_to_follow": true, "cursor": "MTowOjE3NjU0MzgyNDI5ODc6..." } Step 5: Sync With Pagination (Second Page) Called the sync endpoint using the cursor from Step 4 with limit=1: { "devices": [], "more_to_follow": false } Expected Behavior When paginating with limit=1, the API should return all 3 records across 3 sequential requests. Actual Behavior Without pagination: Returns 3 records ✓ With pagination (limit=1): Returns only 1 record, then empty array ✗ 2 records are missing when using pagination. Impact This inconsistency makes the sync API unreliable for incremental device synchronization workflows.

I came across this tool that enables supervised mode on iOS without resetting the data. it's essentially a macOS with a unix executable file underneath. a quick guide of how it works is here https://www.techlockdown.com/guides/enable-supervised-mode-iphone I would appreciate any guidance on how to recreate this, as this is behind a paywall, and would like to offer something similar for free to people who want to restrict their families devices.

Hello, I’d like to clarify the technical limitations around app updates in an Apple School Manager (ASM) + MDM environment. Environment • iOS/iPadOS devices supervised and managed via Apple School Manager • Apps are distributed via ASM (VPP / Custom App) and managed by MDM • Apps are App Store–signed (not Enterprise/In-House) • Some apps include NetworkExtension (VPN) functionality • Automatic app updates are enabled in MDM Question From a technical and platform-design perspective, is it possible to: Deploy app updates for ASM/MDM-distributed App Store apps via a separate/custom update server, and trigger updates simultaneously across all managed devices, bypassing or supplementing the App Store update mechanism? In other words: • Can an organization operate its own update server to push a new app version to all devices at once? • Or is App Store + iOS always the sole execution path for installing updated app binaries? ⸻ My current understanding (please correct if wrong) Based on Apple documentation, it seems that: 1. App Store–distributed apps cannot self-update • Apps cannot download and install new binaries or replace themselves. • All executable code must be Apple-signed and installed by the system. 2. MDM can manage distribution and enable auto-update, but: • MDM cannot reliably trigger an immediate update for App Store apps. • Actual download/install timing is decided by iOS (device locked, charging, Wi-Fi, etc.). 3. Custom update servers • May be used for policy decisions (minimum allowed version, feature blocking), • But cannot be used to distribute or install updated app binaries on iOS. 4. For ASM-managed devices: • The only supported update execution path is: App Store → iOS → Managed App Update • Any “forced update” behavior must be implemented at the app logic level, not the installation level. ⸻ What I’m trying to confirm • Is there any supported MDM command, API, or mechanism that allows: • Centralized, immediate, one-shot updates of App Store apps across all ASM-managed devices? • Or is the above limitation fundamental by design, meaning: • Organizations must rely on iOS’s periodic auto-update behavior • And enforce version compliance only via app-side logic? ⸻ Why this matters In large school deployments, delayed updates (due to device conditions or OS scheduling) can cause: • Version fragmentation • Inconsistent behavior across classrooms • Operational issues for VPN / security-related apps Understanding whether this limitation is absolute or if there is a recommended Apple-supported workaround would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance for any clarification

Hi, I might be a bit late to the party, but Apple has added several SkipKeys such as: TapToSetup and SafetyAndHandling. I want to make sure that the keys is working properly, so I want to do the before-after comparison, however I just can't seem to show pages related to those keys. Just for information, I'm based in Japan and I've been using iPhone pro 16 and M2 iPad Pro for the testing. I believe that TapToSetup is apple tv-related, so I've tried various things such as having it in a same network or using the same apple account both in Apple TV and the iPhone/iPad but I can't get it to show. Any ideas?

I am trying to correctly manage about 20 Mac, iPhones and PC inside a Wi-Fi network built through System Settings > Sharing > Internet Sharing To achieve this task I defined a complete configuration file: /etc/bootpd.plist which is used by /usr/libexec/InternetSharing. But every time /usr/libexec/InternetSharing is starting the file /etc/bootpd.plist is overwritten by another file and my configuration is thus fully lost. How to set a correct /etc/bootps.plist file and avoid its total overwrite by /usr/libexec/InternetSharing? Is it necessary to write this bootpd.plist in some other directory for /usr/libexec/InternetSharing to load it without destroying it? I got the same configuration total erase on macOS Big Sur and Sequoia.

Hello, I am trying to authenticate to the Apple Business Manager API to retrieve device information and ingest it into ServiceNow. I am following the documentation here. The first step is to create an API account and download the private key used to create a JWT client assertion. The guide linked above gives a python script to create a client assertion. Below the first python script, the following description is given for the "kid" variable: "The value is your keyId that returns when you upload a public key." This is the first time that a public key, rather than a private key, is referenced. Where is the public key supposed to be uploaded? Later in the guide, a public key is referenced again, in the section describing the client_id Request parameter: "(Required) You receive your clientId when you upload a public key." I have tried to create a client assertion using the keyId that is associated with the API account. When I try to request an access token, however, I also get an "invalid_client" error back. I am wondering if I'm using the wrong values for both key_id and client_id due to not creating and uploading a public key. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Hi, I’m testing the ClearPasscode MDM command: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/clear-passcode-command Question: If a user enters the passcode incorrectly multiple times and the device becomes temporarily locked (e.g., “Try again in X minutes”) or reaches “Security Lockout”, can ClearPasscode still be executed successfully while the device is in that state? {'ErrorCode': 5013, 35708 'ErrorDomain': 'MCPasscodeErrorDomain', 35709 'LocalizedDescription': '\xe3\x81\x93...x89', 35710 'USEnglishDescription': 'The passcode cannot be cleared (-1)'} If it depends on conditions (e.g., supervised vs. user enrollment, availability of UnlockToken, network/check-in state), could you clarify which conditions are required? Thank you.

We are upgrading macOS (minor versions and potentially major versions) using a scripted approach: Install the InstallAssistant package via installer Trigger OS install via startosinstall On MDM-managed assets, OS update policies appear to prohibit or interfere with the update flow. The update often fails with startosinstall reporting “Helper tool crashed…” during the “Preparing” phase. Steps to Reproduce On an MDM-enrolled Mac with OS update restriction/deferral policies applied, run: sudo /usr/sbin/installer -pkg /Path/To/InstallAssistant.pkg -target / && echo 'MACOS_PASSWORD' | /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/startosinstall --agreetolicense --forcequitapps --stdinpass --user MACOS_USER Actual Result Package installation reports success, but startosinstall fails during preparation with: Standard Output installer: Package name is macOS15.7_SoftwareUpdate installer: Upgrading at base path / installer: The upgrade was successful. By using the agreetolicense option, you are agreeing that you have run this tool with the license only option and have read and agreed to the terms. If you do not agree, press CTRL-C and cancel this process immediately. Preparing to run macOS Installer... Preparing: 0.0% Preparing: 0.1% ... Preparing: 24.9% Standard Error Helper tool crashed... notes.log Install.log is also attached. Questions for Apple / Ask: We suspect this crash is caused by MDM OS update restrictions/policies. We need Apple’s recommended method to perform macOS updates (minor + major) when MDM is present, especially in environments where update deferrals/restrictions may be configured.

Background / Objective We are currently developing a solution to centrally manage Apple OS updates (major and minor) across managed macOS devices. Before implementing at scale, we need Apple’s guidance on supported and future-proof update mechanisms under MDM. Questions / Ask (Apple Guidance Requested) Apple recommended method What is Apple’s recommended approach to perform: Minor updates (e.g., macOS X.Y → X.Z) Major upgrades (e.g., Ventura → Sonoma) in an enterprise fleet? Support boundary Is macOS update management only supported via MDM (including any newer declarative workflows), or are local mechanisms (installer + command-line tooling) also considered supported for enterprise automation? Use of startosinstall Can we leverage the existing utility: /Applications/Install macOS .app/Contents/Resources/startosinstall for automated upgrades in enterprise environments? If yes, are there recommended flags/workflows Apple endorses for unattended or minimally interactive upgrades? Long-term support / stability Does startosinstall have any form of long-term support / stability guarantees across future macOS releases? Are there any known deprecations planned (or guidance that customers should transition to MDM/DDM workflows)? MDM interaction / interference When using startosinstall, can MDM policies (software update deferrals/restrictions, update enforcement, etc.) interfere with or block the upgrade? If interference is expected, what is the correct supported way to coordinate: MDM software update settings local startosinstall execution to avoid failures and ensure compliance? What We Need From Apple (Desired Outcome) A clear statement of recommended and supported update workflow(s) for enterprise managed macOS: for minor updates for major upgrades Guidance on whether startosinstall is acceptable for long-term automation, or whether we should only use MDM/DDM-driven workflows. Any best practices or reference documentation Apple recommends for implementing this safely and reliably.

We are moving to Apple Business Store for our b2b customers. On the "residential" apple store side there is testflight. What process would one test an app we provide to a b2b customer when using apple business store publishing? (I don't see any sort of test flight for apple business)