iOS and iPadOS: Software update rules

Name

Description

Activation types

Default

Possible values

Delay software updates (supervised only)

Specify whether the device delays displaying software updates to the user after updates are released. You can specify the length of the delay using the "Software update delay period" rule.

MDM controls

Not selected

Software update delay period (supervised only)

Specify the number of days after a device software update is released before the software update prompt is displayed to the user. This rule takes effect only if the "Delay software updates" rule is selected. It may take up to 24 hours for the policy to take effect.

For devices with iOS 18 or later, if you enable "Automatically update device OS" and specify an update schedule, the delay period that you specify in this setting is added to the update schedule. For example, if the delay period is 3 days and the update schedule is 2 days after release, the device is automatically updated 5 days after release.

MDM controls

0 days

Minimum value: 0 days

Maximum value: 90 days

Recommended software update cadence (supervised only)

This value defines how the system presents software updates to the user. When there is only one update available, the system shows the update to the user. Otherwise, the updates are displayed in the specified order.

Minimum OS version: 14.5.0

MDM controls

Both versions

  • Both versions
  • Lower numbered (oldest) version
  • The highest numbered (most recent) release available

Automatically update device OS (supervised only)

Specify whether the device OS can be updated automatically. Note that it may take more than 24 hours for this rule to take effect.

MDM controls

Not selected

Automatically update major versions

Specify whether major version of the device OS can be updated automatically.

Depends on: Automatically update device OS (supervised only)

MDM controls

Selected

Automatically update minor versions

Specify whether minor version of the device OS can be updated automatically.

Depends on: Automatically update device OS (supervised only)

MDM controls

Selected

Automatically update patch versions

Specify whether patch version of the device OS can be updated automatically.

Depends on: Automatically update device OS (supervised only)

MDM controls

Selected

Automatically update rapid security responses

Specify whether rapid security response version of the device OS can be updated automatically.

Depends on: Automatically update device OS (supervised only)

MDM controls

Selected

Update schedule

Specify a schedule for the automatic device OS update.

Depends on: Automatically update device OS (supervised only)

MDM controls

Selected

  • Scheduled
  • Immediate

Start days after update available

Specify update schedule.

Depends on: Update schedule

MDM controls

4 days

Numerical value

Start time (local device time)

Specify update schedule.

Depends on: Update schedule

MDM controls

2:00

Hour: 0 to 23

Minute: 00, 15, 30, 45

Minimum value: 0:00

Maximum value: 23:45