WWDC 2025 Recap: Apple Just Made Your Devices Smarter, Sleeker, and More You

If you thought last year’s updates were big, Apple just raised the bar–again. At WWDC 2025, Apple didn’t just unveil new features. It unveiled a whole new vibe. 

The star of the show? The Liquid Glass UI—a sleek, fluid design language that now spans iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and even Apple TV. Think translucent layers, softened edges, and an almost holographic feel. It’s not just a facelift—it’s a vibe. 

And here’s a fun theory: this new interface might just be Apple’s way of prepping us for the Apple Smart Glass, with visuals that mirror the kind of seamless, see-through UX a mixed reality experience would demand.

Also, in a move that finally makes version names easier to track, the iOS versions have gone straight from iOS 18 to iOS 26—bringing it in line with the calendar year. The same goes for iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. No more mental math to figure out which version you're running.

Beyond the naming refresh, this year’s WWDC marked a major leap for IT teams, with Apple doubling down on tools to make large-scale device management smoother, more secure, and far more automated. If you manage Apple devices at scale, these updates deserve a closer look.

WWDC 2025: Apple MDM Key Takeaways

Major Shifts in Apple Services

• Managed Apple Accounts Get Real
  IT now has full control over Apple IDs used at work or school. You can block personal accounts during setup—no MDM required—and even download a list of personal accounts using your domain for smoother migrations.
• ABM/ASM Inventory Superpowers
  From Activation Lock status to Wi-Fi MAC addresses, Apple Business and School Manager now surface deep inventory details. Plus, new APIs let you automate bulk assignments to MDM servers.
• Apple Configurator for All
  ‘Apple Configurator for iPhone’ now handles every Apple device, including Vision Pro. You can even skip Setup Assistant panes entirely for a truly zero-touch experience.
• Simpler Enrollment with Service Discovery URLs
  No extra DNS setup needed. Devices now use your MDM’s service-discovery URL directly. If a device can’t find the endpoint, it automatically asks Apple Business/School Manager, which hands it the MDM server’s redirect URL and completes account-driven enrollment. 

Migration, Updates, and Zero-Downtime

• MDM-to-MDM Migration—No Wipe Needed
  Migrate managed devices to a new MDM server without wiping or re-provisioning. Set a migration deadline, notify users automatically, and the device shifts servers in the background—keeping apps, data, and settings intact. 
• DDM Everywhere
  Declarative Device Management now handles software updates across the board—including Vision Pro and Apple TV. Set target versions, customize prompts, and track installation in real time.
• Safari Joins the DDM Club
  All Safari controls are now available in Declarative Device Management. Manage bookmarks and default homepages—including organizational or school portals. 
• Return to Service = Faster Turnaround
  Reset iPhones, iPads, and now Vision Pro without wiping managed apps. That means no re-downloads, saving IT (and users) valuable time.

More Power, More Control

• Restrictions + Payloads
  IT can now see iPad battery health, restrict FaceTime or Messages per SIM, or assign default apps for calls and messages.
• AirPods Pairing + Network Enhancements
  Temporary AirPods pairing and improved URL filtering via Network Extension API give admins greater flexibility.

Smarter App Management

• Granular App Controls (iOS/iPadOS)
  Force, block, or allow updates per app. Lock apps to a specific version, restrict large updates to Wi-Fi, and monitor everything live via a real-time status channel.
• Declarative App Delivery on macOS
  Deploy App Store apps, custom apps, or .pkg files declaratively. Mark apps as required or optional, track installs, and even build Mac-native self-service portals with a new framework launching soon.

Identity Gets a Boost

• Simplified Platform SSO
  Now works at Setup Assistant—auto-creating macOS accounts from IdP credentials (even pulling in profile photos).
• Authenticated Guest Mode
  Sign in to shared Macs with cloud credentials and auto-wipe on logout.
• Tap to Login
  Unlock shared Macs by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch. Smooth.

WWDC 2025: Apple OS Update

Here’s a quick rundown on what’s new in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a developer, a creative, or an IT admin, WWDC 2025 was about blending intelligence, fluid design, and seamless control. From smarter Safari settings to zero-touch Vision Pro enrollments, Apple is giving IT the tools they need, without compromising the user experience.

Big picture? Your devices aren’t just getting updates. They’re getting smarter, more personal—and more ready for the future.

And if you’re looking for an MDM that manages all your Apple devices–iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and even tvOS check out SureMDM.