What’s new in Apple platform deployment
Deployment and mobile device management (MDM) introduce new features for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro devices. These updates include the following operating systems:
iOS 18.4
iPadOS 18.4
macOS 15.4
tvOS 18.4
watchOS 11.4
visionOS 2.4
Note: This isn’t a full comprehensive list of all new and changed content in Apple Platform Deployment. For a more complete list, see the document revision history.
You can participate in testing these features using beta versions of the operating systems by signing up for AppleSeed for IT. For more information see the AppleSeed for IT portal.
For more information, see the WWDC24 video What’s new in device management.
New private network identifiers
Private network identifiers have been added for South Korea.
For more information, see Private network identifiers.
Managed Apple Accounts updates
Updates have been made to the Managed Apple Accounts topics.
For more information, see About Managed Apple Accounts and iCloud for Managed Apple Accounts.
Setup Assistant changes
The Set Up as New or Restore pane has been updated for macOS 15.4.
For more information, see Manage Setup Assistant for Apple devices.
Software update release dates
New software release dates have been added. tvOS can now be managed similar to iOS and iPadOS.
For more information, see Software release dates and Installing and enforcing software updates.
New restrictions
New restrictions have been added. An additional restriction can be added to a com.apple.dt.Xcode payload that prevents Xcode Predictive Code Completion.
For more information, see Review MDM restrictions and MDM restrictions for Mac computers.
New command
A new command that automatically restarts a locked iPhone or iPad after several days of inactivity. Requires iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 and is turned off by default on supervised devices.
For more information, see MDM commands for Apple devices.
New app bundle ID
The bundle ID for Apple Invitations has been added.
For more information, see Bundle IDs for native iPhone and iPad apps.
Updated iPhone Wi-Fi table
The iPhone 16e has been added to the Wi-Fi specifications table.
For more information, see Wi-Fi specification details for iPhone models.
Updated iPad Wi-Fi table
The iPad Air 13-inch (M3), iPad Air 11-inch (M3), and iPad (A16) have been added to the Wi-Fi specifications table.
For more information, see Wi-Fi specification details for iPad models.
Updated MacBook Air Wi-Fi table
The MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025) and MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) have been added to the Wi-Fi specifications table.
For more information, see Wi-Fi specification details for MacBook Air models.
Apple Configurator adds support for Shortcuts
Shortcuts are now supported in Apple Configurator 2.18 or later.
For more information, see Automate Apple Configurator processes.
Improved status reporting for Shortcuts
New Shortcut Status column: Apple Configurator 2.18 now displays a Status column (in the All Devices window) that shows progress for “run on attach” workflows for all connected devices. This allows organizations to see the state of each device and what percentage of a shortcut the device has completed.
Detailed status information: Shortcut actions provide detailed status information for display. These actions can appear in the new column and in log files. For example, the Restore Device action now tracks progress for “Downloading IPSW” and “Installing IPSW,” along with the percentage completed for each.
Improved error display: If a device fails to complete a workflow, an error message in the new column and helps explain the cause of the failure.
Shortcut progress: Apple Configurator actions now display their progress in the Shortcuts app. For example, the Update Devices action shows an IPSW’s download progress.
New Apple Configurator actions
Install Documents: Can install files and documents into supported apps.
Wait Until Charged: Prevents a device from finishing a shortcut until it’s charged to a specified percentage.
Set Primary Status and Set Secondary Status: Can be used to set a device’s status manually.
Set port number for device: Displays the port number of an attached device when used with a smart hub’s shortcut actions.
Support for smart hubs
Shortcut creation: Smart hub vendors can create shortcuts that send and receive information (specific to their products) to Apple Configurator and Shortcuts.