With the release of macOS Sequoia, there’s a few key areas of interest and change for Mac admins to understand in order to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your users.
macOS Sequoia, is the latest version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, and is now available as a free software update for all compatible Macs.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence won’t be available in these new Apple OS releases from day 1. However, Jamf already hosts the necessary MDM Framework keys needed to block/allow access to these new features, with Jamf Pro 11.9.
Genmoji, Image Playground and Writing Tools can be disabled via Jamf Pro for Apple devices, in addition to the Image Wand and Personalised Handwriting for iOS.
Non-Removable System Extensions
With macOS Sequoia, System Extensions are now visible to the user in System Settings, allowing them to have a better understanding of what is running on their Mac, and turn them off if they do not want them running.
For enterprise environments, this could cause concern. System Extensions are a key element of security solution deployments, and leaving users with the ability to disable these is less than desirable and may lead to security gaps across your fleet.
Apple added 2 System Extension Configuration Profile keys to help close off this possibility;
NonRemovableFromUISystemExtensionsNonRemovableSystemExtensions
These keys can be utilised natively in the Jamf Pro portal (11.9.1 or later) for Macs running macOS 15 and later, and will allow control of these System Extensions, preventing users from being able to disable them via the System Settings UI.
If you are are a DARE Total client, we’ll have this in place for you for day 1 of Sequoia availability. If you’d like to read more about how exactly this can be rolled out for Jamf Protect, see Jamf’s detailed blog on the subject.
Screen Recording Prompts
Apple updated their Screen Capture Kit API (used for app screen recording), improving Screen Recording capabilities for developers to utilise in their applications.
In macOS Sequoia, applications in use found to not be using this new API will now result in a user prompt appearing, asking them to allow access for a month.
This comes as Apple push vendors to update their apps to utilise the new API features and benefits, but results in a user prompt that (at the time of writing this) cannot be suppressed via MDM.
It is important to make your users aware that these prompts are expected (in this context), come from macOS itself, and that it is safe to ‘Allow For One Month’.
It is down to application vendors to update their apps to utilise the latest API’s, which will then suppress these alerts.
This is another example of why you should always look to keep apps up to date. Zappl (DARE’s own application patching solution), boasts over 600 applications and a fully customisable user experience for deferrals and updates.
Ensure your apps are up to date by speaking to us about Zappl today.
iPhone Mirroring
One of the most anticipated aspects of the Sequoia release is the ability to mirror your iPhone on your Mac, all while the iPhone is locked.
This could introduce concerns in an enterprise environment, such as the ability to easily take work information and pass it to a personal iPhone.
Thankfully this is easily thwarted via Jamf Pro’s Restriction Configuration Profile.
Window Tiling
Let’s end on a fun productivity enhancement introduced in macOS Sequoia—window tiling!
This native feature allows you to effortlessly arrange applications and windows, streamlining your workflow and improving usability.
You can enhance this feature with keyboard shortcuts, enabling you to instantly create the perfect workspace for your tasks.