For those of us who live and breathe technology, Apple’s WWDC is one of the most important events of the year. The 2025 edition marked a milestone, not because of new hardware, but because of a profound software overhaul that redefines user interaction. Apple introduced two key pillars: a revolutionary design language called “Liquid Glass” and a more mature and ubiquitous “Apple Intelligence.”
But what does all this mean for you, the person managing your company’s device fleet? Beyond the new look and feel, Apple has released an arsenal of “under-the-hood” tools that transform endpoint management, from the total automation of ABM to fearless MDM migrations.
In this post, we offer you a 360-degree view: first, the major changes your users will see, and then, the technical analysis of the management tools you’ll need to master this new ecosystem.
The new user experience: what you need to know
"Liquid Glass": a visual revolution across the ecosystem
The most visible change is “Liquid Glass,” the new design language that unifies the look of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. Inspired by visionOS, it introduces transparencies, rounded elements, and a dynamic feel that aims for greater integration between the system and its content.
This visual change is your company’s new interface for your users. Be prepared for feedback and be aware that while Apple optimizes performance, older devices may experience differences. This is a good time to plan your hardware lifecycle.
Unification and the end of an era: new numbering and goodbye to Intel
Apple is simplifying its ecosystem by ditching sequential numbering. Now, all operating systems reflect the release year (e.g., iOS 26, iPadOS 26). This change reinforces cohesion and simplifies version management.
macOS 26 Tahoe will be the last version to support Intel processors. This is the official announcement of the full transition to Apple Silicon. Planning the refresh cycle for your Intel-based Macs now becomes a strategic priority.
Apple Intelligence: ubiquitous and manageable AI
Artificial Intelligence is natively integrated throughout the system with features your users will love, such as live translation in calls, image creation with “Image Playground,” and on-screen content analysis with “Visual Intelligence.”
Fortunately, this massive AI deployment comes with controls. As we’ll see later, you can restrict the use of these tools to ensure the security and compliance of your company policies from your management console.
Beyond the keynote: a technical guide for IT professionals
Now, let’s dive deep into the tools that will give you the power to manage this new era. These are the updates that move beyond aesthetics and directly address your biggest challenges: security, automation, and fleet control.
Apple Business Manager (ABM): automation and identity control
The use of personal Apple IDs with corporate domains has been a historical headache. WWDC25 puts an end to it with unprecedented control over Managed Apple Accounts.
- Total visibility: download a list of all personal Apple IDs using your organization’s domain to identify and migrate those users.
- Domain locking: prevent the creation of new, unauthorized personal accounts.
- Access management: block the use of personal Apple IDs on corporate-owned devices right from the initial setup screen, even before MDM enrollment.
- Automation APIs: the new ABM APIs allow you to automate inventory queries, device assignment to your MDM, and task monitoring, eliminating hours of manual work.
We will integrate these APIs to offer you complete workflows. Imagine assigning new hardware instantly or syncing warranties automatically. With Applivery, the automation is total.
MDM Migration: finally, without fear or wipes
Migrating your MDM used to be synonymous with risk and sleepless nights. That’s over. Apple is introducing MDM migration at scale, directly from Apple Business Manager.
- Zero-Wipe: move entire fleets of iPhones, iPads, and Macs to a new MDM without erasing the devices.
- Controlled Process: set a deadline and the system guides the user (or executes the migration automatically if ignored).
- Security Guaranteed: critical elements like Activation Lock and FileVault keys are transferred securely.
If a legacy MDM has you trapped, this is your escape route. Migrating to Applivery is now an administrative process, not a high-risk project.
Declarative Device Management (DDM) and specific controls
DDM is now the default management model for all Apple platforms, including the newly named iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe. This proactive approach, where the device maintains a declared state, is more efficient and reliable. It extends to new granular controls, like declaratively managing Safari bookmarks and homepages.
At Applivery we are committed to a declarative-first model. Our platform will leverage these new capabilities to give you faster, more scalable, and more reliable control over your entire fleet.
Return to Service for shared devices
For shared devices in retail or healthcare, “Return to Service” gets a major upgrade. You can now reset a device while preserving managed apps, saving immense time and bandwidth.
Furthermore, Apple Vision Pro now includes a “Reset for Next User” option, streamlining turnover. These are perfect features for shared fleets managed with Applivery.
A new world of app and identity management
The updates extend deep into app and identity management, creating a more secure and seamless experience.
- Granular app control: you can now set per-app update behaviors, pin apps to specific versions, and restrict downloads over cellular data. On macOS 26 Tahoe, declarative deployment now covers all software types, including
.pkgfiles. - New ManagedApp framework: this new API allows for deploying secure configurations, credentials, and tokens directly to apps, enabling more secure and customized workflows.
- Platform SSO & Tap to Login: The login experience is being revolutionized. Platform SSO is now integrated into the Setup Assistant for a truly seamless zero-touch deployment. And the star of the show, Tap to Login, allows users to unlock a shared Mac by simply tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch.
Imagine combining Tap to Login with our automated enrollment and app provisioning. You can create a truly “touchless” workflow where an employee taps their phone on a new Mac and is ready to work in seconds. That’s the power we help you unlock.
Don't just adapt to the new era. Lead it.
The most effective IT teams are already strategizing how to leverage these WWDC25 updates to gain a competitive advantage. With Applivery, you can move faster, automate more, and provide a more secure and seamless experience than ever before. While others are figuring out the basics, you can be deploying with confidence.
Ready to build your strategy for the new Apple ecosystem? Get in touch with our experts to get started.
