WWDC 2025: What’s new for enterprise device management

WWDC 2025 Announcements for Enterprise MDM

Apple’s WWDC 2025 delivered a wave of exciting updates for anyone involved in managing company devices. With improvements designed to simplify provisioning, strengthen app controls, and expand what Apple Business Manager can do, these changes are all about making life easier for IT teams irrespective of the industry.

In this article, we’ll break down the key announcements and explore how they could reshape the way you manage your organization’s Apple devices. Whether you oversee a small team or a large enterprise, there’s plenty here to help you work smarter and keep your devices running smoothly. Let’s dive in.

Platform SSO: Now even smoother  

With this year’s update, Apple just made onboarding and provisioning Mac devices (from macOS 26) smoother than ever, thanks to some major enhancements to Platform SSO.

  • Users have to authenticate just once with Setup Assistant, effortlessly enrolling their device and creating their local account in one go (no more juggling multiple sign-ins or passwords).

  • Profile photos now sync straight from your identity provider, so everything feels familiar right from the start.

  • For shared environments like hospitals or classrooms, the new Authenticated Guest Mode enables users to log in with their identity provider credentials or even just tap in with their iPhone or Apple Watch. When they log out, all their data is wiped clean, instantly prepping the Mac for the next person. It’s a smart upgrade that’s set to change the game for shift-based employees and shared device scenarios.

Switching between MDM providers got easier  

Migrating a fleet of Apple devices from one MDM platform to another has always been a headache (think cloud migrations, vendor swaps, or the chaos of mergers and acquisitions). With Apple’s latest update, IT teams can kick off and manage MDM migrations directly from Apple Business Manager, keeping tabs on the entire process and nudging users to accept the switch within a set timeframe. Even better, migrations can happen via a simple reboot, preserving crucial elements like apps, user data, and essential security codes (like FileVault and Activation Lock bypass codes), ensuring there’s little to no disruption for users. For IT teams, that means fewer roadblocks, and for end users, it’s a nearly invisible transition that keeps them up and running without missing a beat.

Better BYOD, simplified user enrollment

Apple is making it even easier to manage personal devices at work. While user enrollment for BYOD has been around for a while, the latest updates simplify the process by removing the need for complex domain setups or hosting configuration files. Now, MDM solutions can handle these prerequisite checks, taking the load off IT and making it seamless for users to sign in and access work resources on their personal devices, with minimal friction.

App deployment and update management 

Apple is putting more power in IT admins’ hands when it comes to deploying and managing apps across their organization’s devices.

  • Now, you can choose which version of an app to roll out from the App Store instead of being forced to install the latest update right away. This means you can thoroughly test new versions before they go company-wide, saving you from unexpected hiccups.

  • There’s also an option to prevent app downloads over cellular networks, which is a smart way to keep bandwidth and data costs in check.

  • With declarative update management, you get real-time visibility into app update progress and failures.

A balance of customization and control 

Apple’s latest updates are all about giving IT teams more flexibility. Here’s a list of updates proving that.

  • Enhancements in Safari: You can set up default tabs, organize bookmarks into folders, and lock down important security settings like disabling private browsing or tightening up cookie rules and anti-fraud measures.

  • Smarter communication controls: You can now decide which apps handle calls and messages by default, and even restrict things like FaceTime or iMessage to only work with personal lines—a huge plus for industries where compliance is key.

  • Control over cloud storage on Macs: You can specify exactly which cloud storage providers employees can use to sync their Desktop and Documents folders, which helps keep everything secure and consistent across the board.

  • Proactive IT management: Making life easier for IT teams, iPads can now be monitored for battery health to anticipate when replacements are needed, a feature previously reserved for iPhones and Macs. Apple Business Manager also enhances inventory management by offering detailed asset information, including IMEI, EID, MAC addresses, warranty details, and AppleCare coverage in one place, ensuring seamless procurement and management.

  • Return to Service enhancements: You can wipe user data while retaining the data of managed apps in place, so getting a device ready for its next user is quicker and more reliable than ever. This is especially helpful if a device is meant for temporary users or is used in kiosk mode.

Vision Pro is officially stepping into the enterprise spotlight 

Vision Pro devices can be added to Apple Business Manager, no matter where you bought them. You’ll be able to customize the setup experience, streamline handoffs with Return to Service, lock down Safari settings, and manage app and software updates, all with the same intuitive controls you use for other Apple devices.

Refined Apple account management 

  • Managed Apple IDs now work with even more services, including the Apple Developer Program.

  • Apple admins will be able to spot any employee Apple accounts linked to work emails that aren’t yet managed, making it simpler to switch users over to managed accounts.

  • Managed Apple IDs can only be used on company-managed devices, and those devices can only sign in with managed Apple IDs, making it easy to keep work data locked down and personal data separate.

Closing note

Apple keeps raising the standard for what enterprise IT teams can expect from a modern device ecosystem. With a strong focus on security, identity management, and scalable controls, this year’s WWDC announcements make it easier than ever to support a diverse workforce. These updates are designed to help you simplify deployment, tighten security, and scale your Apple infrastructure with confidence.

At ManageEngine, we’re excited to help you put these advancements into action. Our team is already hard at work translating these new capabilities into practical guidance and solutions, so you can move beyond the basics and get the most out of your Apple investment. Help us understand which features you're looking forward to the most by taking this short survey.