Introduction to macOS Management in Intune (Beginner-Friendly)
Table of Contents
- Why Manage macOS with Intune?
- What is Microsoft Intune?
- How is macOS Management in Intune Different from Windows?
- Prerequisites for macOS Management in Intune
- What You Can and Cant Do with macOS in Intune
- Next Steps: Getting Ready for macOS Enrollment
- Want to Stay Updated?
Why Manage macOS with Intune?
As more businesses adopt Apple devices, IT administrators need an efficient way to manage and secure macOS machines. Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution, allows organizations to:
✅ Enforce security policies on macOS devices (e.g., password rules, encryption)
✅ Deploy applications remotely
✅ Ensure compliance with organizational policies
✅ Monitor and troubleshoot macOS devices
Unlike traditional on-prem solutions like Active Directory GPOs, Intune is cloud-based, making it ideal for modern, distributed workforces.
What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is part of the Microsoft Endpoint Manager (MEM) suite. It provides IT admins with a centralized way to manage and secure devices across different platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
With Intune, you can:
- Configure security policies (passwords, encryption)
- Deploy and manage macOS applications
- Ensure compliance with company policies
- Automate tasks with scripts and policies
How is macOS Management in Intune Different from Windows?
Many IT pros are familiar with Windows management in Intune, but macOS works differently. Here’s a comparison:
| Feature | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | Azure AD Join, Hybrid Join, Autopilot | Apple Business Manager (ABM), User Enrollment, Device Enrollment |
| App Deployment | EXE, MSI, Microsoft Store | PKG, DMG, Mac App Store |
| Security & Compliance | BitLocker, Defender for Endpoint | FileVault, Defender for Endpoint |
| Configuration | GPOs, CSPs, PowerShell scripts | Configuration Profiles, Shell scripts |
| Remote Management | Full remote control | Full remote control, Remote wipe (only supervised) |
Prerequisites for macOS Management in Intune
Before enrolling macOS devices, ensure you have the following:
- Microsoft Intune License – Included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or as a standalone license.
- Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM) – Needed for Automated Device Enrollment (ADE).
- Apple MDM Push Certificate – Required to allow Intune to communicate with Apple devices.
- Apple Enrollment Program Token - Required for remote management.
- Intune Company Portal App – Needed for user-driven enrollments.
- A macOS device running macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later – Recommended for full compatibility.
What You Can and Cant Do with macOS in Intune
✅ What Intune Can Do:
- ✔ Enforce security settings (password policies, encryption)
- ✔ Deploy applications (PKG, DMG, Mac App Store apps)
- ✔ Configure Wi-Fi, VPN, and certificates
- ✔ Enforce compliance policies (OS version, encryption, etc.)
- ✔ Deploy shell scripts for advanced configurations
🚫 What Intune Can’t Do (Yet):
- ❌ Local Admin Password Solution (LAPS)
- ❌ Custom compliance policy
- ❌ Remediation scripts
While Intune provides solid macOS management, it’s not as advanced as dedicated Apple MDMs like Jamf.
Next Steps: Getting Ready for macOS Enrollment
Now that you understand the basics, it’s time to prepare for macOS enrollment. In the next post, we’ll cover how to enroll macOS devices in Intune using:
- Automated Device Enrollment (ADE)
- User Enrollment (BYOD)
- Device Enrollment (manual method)
Want to Stay Updated?
🔹 Follow this blog for more Intune macOS management tips!
🔹 Leave a comment if you have any questions!
🚀 Up next: How to Enroll macOS Devices in Intune – A Step-by-Step Guide
That is it for now. Until next time. 👋