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How we manage software updates on mobile devices (iOS/iPadOS/tvOS) with datajar.mobi

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Introduction

This document describes the default mobile device (iOS/iPadOS/tvOS) Software Update configuration and user experience for datajar.mobi managed devices.  With mobile devices, it is only possible to leverage the built-in software update frameworks and mechanisms provided by Apple's MDM specification that are made available from Apple and Jamf.

Scope

This document covers software updates including major operating system upgrades, minor operating system updates and managed applications deployed through Managed Distribution/Volume Purchase (Apple Business Manager/Apple School Manager):

 

Examples of what is covered:

  • iOS 16.x to iOS 17.x
  • iOS 17.1 to iOS 17.2
  • A managed version of the Microsoft Word app updating through Managed Distribution/Volume Purchase.

Examples of what is not covered:

  • Any application installed through the App Store, Testflight or other means not managed by dataJAR.

Experience

For operating system updates made available from Apple:

  • Mobile devices will check for and prompt users to install operating system updates for major and minor versions of iOS/iPadOS/tvOS.
    • Allow users to install only the latest major version
    • Allow users to install only the latest minor version of the currently installed version
    • Allow users to install any available later software version
    • Users have the option to override this configuration and enable automatic operating system updates which will attempt to install overnight. dataJAR cannot manage this preference or control when updates are installed automatically.
    • When Apple releases a major version of a mobile operating system, users can decide whether to upgrade to this version or update to the latest minor version of the currently installed operating system. dataJAR can optionally manage this preference by sending a management command to devices. This must be performed as a manual action after a device has enrolled successfully (wiping and re-enrolling a device will revert the setting to its default):
  • A 15-day software update deferral is applied as part of the default device Restrictions settings. The deferral will prevent mobile devices from installing operating system updates for 15 days until after they are released. If you wish to change this option for your datajar.mobi instance, please submit a ticket.
    • In Settings -> General -> Software Update, the message "Your iPhone/iPad is running the latest software update allowed by your administrator" is displayed.

Using Jamf Insights to update devices:

Navigate to Mobile Devices, search for then select one or more devices and choose one of the following options in the MDM MANAGEMENT tab: 

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  • OS Update - Download
    • Will download and prepare the update in the background. Users can install it by navigating to Settings -> General -> Software Update, or it will install automatically if automatic updates are enabled on the device (this option is only user selectable and cannot be managed)
  • OS Update - Download & Install
    • For shared devices and Apple TV, updates will install automatically. Users will see a warning and devices will restart automatically after one minute.
    • For 1:1 or shared devices with a passcode, users will be prompted to enter their passcode to start the installation immediately or defer for an overnight installation. This prompt describes the update as required by your organisation. The update can be delayed up to three times only by the user. After the third time the user delays, the device requires the user to schedule the update or upgrade for that evening to continue to use the device (except for emergency calling).

If a later major and minor update is available

On devices running iOS 14.5 or higher that have a later minor and major update available at the same time, it is possible to restrict which of these the end user is allowed to install. For example, if an iPad has iPadOS 16.3 installed, users can, by default choose to install either the latest minor version of iPadOS 16 or the next major version of iPadOS 17.

The following options are available:

  • Allow users to install only the latest major version
  • Allow users to install only the latest minor version of the currently installed version
  • Allow users to install any available later software version (default)

Please raise a ticket if you require one of these options. Note that this is applied as an MDM command, so only applies to devices that are currently enrolled. Devices enrolled after this setting is applied will not have the chosen option enforced and behave in the default manner. An additional command with the desired option must be sent to them after enrolment,

For managed application updates

  • The management service will check for new versions of applications overnight and if new versions are available, attempt to install them on devices.
  • Devices may or may not install applications right away if they are offline, locked or the application is open and in use. The operating system will attempt to manage this automatically and install the application at the next available opportunity. This behaviour is outside dataJAR's control.
  • dataJAR can arbitrarily send commands to install updates for "stubborn" applications on a pre-device or per-application basis, or for all applications at once.
  • In exceptional circumstances, dataJAR can disable automatic updates for all applications globally. When this is disabled, individual application updates can be re-enabled on a per-application basis. It is not possible to selectively disable updates for individual applications when automatic updates are enabled globally.
  • dataJAR cannot deploy specific versions of managed applications. Managed Distribution/Volume Purchase is limited by Apple to deploying the latest available version a target device supports at the time the deployment is made.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with installing software updates for mobile devices, please follow the steps in this article: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201435 

If you continue to have problems, please submit a ticket to us and we will be happy to assist.

 

Further information

Need further support?

If you still require assistance with us or have any further questions, please raise a ticket with our support team.


Alternatively, please see our frequently updated knowledge base articles for reference.

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