Microsoft Intune continues to evolve with features designed to solve real challenges IT teams face every day. The August 2025 release delivers improvements in four core areas: application control, device patching during setup, Apple software update visibility, and multi-admin approval.
In parallel, Apple has introduced a game-changing capability in macOS 26 and iOS/iPadOS 26 that enables seamless device migration into Intune without factory resets — a first in enterprise device management.
This blog unpacks each of these updates with the technical depth admins need.
App Control for Business Goes Enterprise-Ready
- Granular targeting replaces tenant-wide enforcement. Policies can now be assigned to groups and rolled out gradually.
- Built on Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) with automatic trust for apps from approved sources.
- A wizard-driven UX reduces the risk of misconfigured policies.
This enables Zero Trust application control at scale without risking productivity:
- Windows Autopilot: Patching During Setup
- Devices now install Windows quality updates during OOBE.
- End-users receive laptops already patched, avoiding day-one interruptions.
- Admins can still control deferrals and pause options, which sync directly to devices.
While setup takes about 30 minutes longer, the trade-off is smoother onboarding and better security compliance from the start.
Real-Time Apple Update Visibility
- Based on declarative device management (DDM).
- Admins now see real-time status for update download, install, and failures.
- This replaces older MDM-based update methods, which Apple is deprecating with OS 26.
Without adopting DDM reporting, organizations risk losing visibility into Apple device patching in 2025.
Multi-Admin Approval for Critical Changes
- Sensitive operations like device wipe, retire, RBAC changes, and scope tags now support multi-admin approval.
- Acts as a safety net against accidental or unauthorized actions.
- Provides stronger governance without slowing routine management.
Apple OS 26 Enables Seamless Migration to Intune:
One of the most significant announcements this month comes from Apple: native MDM migration built into ABM/ASM.
Previously, moving devices from platforms like Workspace ONE or Jamf into Intune required factory resets, manual re-enrollment, and policy rebuilds. Now, devices can be reassigned directly to Intune without wiping or interrupting users.
Technical flow:
- Admins assign devices to Intune via ABM/ASM.
- Users receive a notification to approve management change.
- If ignored, enforced migration occurs at deadline with a non-dismissible prompt.
- The device downloads the new Intune profile — no reboot required.
Combined with Intune’s new features, this allows organizations to consolidate onto a single management platform with far less friction.
Conclusion:
August 2025 marks a milestone for Intune and Apple device management:
- Granular App Control brings Zero Trust policies to production scale.
- Windows Autopilot now delivers patched, work-ready devices out of the box.
- DDM-based reporting closes the visibility gap for Apple updates.
- Multi-admin approval reduces the risk of catastrophic mistakes.
- And Apple’s MDM migration feature makes large-scale transitions to Intune practical for the first time.
For IT teams, these updates mean fewer surprises, stronger governance, and smoother user experiences across platforms.
Want to know where your tenant stands? Griffin31 checks your Microsoft 365 security settings continuously and shows you what to fix first.