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Apple has long given IT admins the ability to delay software updates across fleets as it has built out the modern device management stack. The idea made sense at the time because it gave IT teams time to test, validate, and make sure nothing broke before updates hit thousands of devices.
The world has changed though. Security risks move faster, attacks are smarter, and the 90 day window Apple still offers feels outdated. As Apple has made the yearly updates more reliable in terms of not breaking things, I think it is time for Apple to rethink the balance and cut that maximum delay down to 30 days.
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About Apple @ Work: Bradley Chambers managed an enterprise IT network from 2009 to 2021. Through his experience deploying and managing firewalls, switches, a mobile device management system, enterprise grade Wi-Fi, 1000s of Macs, and 1000s of iPads, Bradley will highlight ways in which Apple IT managers deploy Apple devices, build networks to support them, train users, stories from the trenches of IT management, and ways Apple could improve its products for IT departments.
Why Apple gave IT 90 days in the first place
The original 90 day deferral window was designed for a different era of enterprise IT. Large organizations often need months to test updates against critical apps, coordinate with vendors, and prepare help desk staff. Giving IT three months to hold back updates made sense when compatibility issues were more common and the pace of change was slower. It was a way to balance stability with progress, and it reflected how careful IT teams had to be before letting thousands of devices update at once.
Look, I get the need for it as well. IT is about keeping everything running, and major software updates can cause problems, but over the years, Apple has gotten dramatically much better at compatibility with existing infrastructure, apps, services, and accessories
Why that model feels outdated today
Apple software updates look very different today than they did a decade ago. Developer and Public beta programs for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS give IT and developers months of lead time to test new releases against business-critical apps and services. Security patches ship more frequently as well.
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