To upgrade eligible Macs to macOS Sonoma with Intune, use a declarative device management (DDM) software update policy for enrolled Macs running macOS 14 or later. First verify each model against Apple’s compatibility list, then choose whether to enforce the latest eligible version after a delay or target a specific OS version by a deadline. Pilot the policy and confirm the installed macOS version on devices; a successful policy report alone does not prove the upgrade finished.
Check Sonoma compatibility and Intune prerequisites
Sonoma eligibility depends on the exact Mac model. Apple’s list includes selected MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models from 2018 onward, iMac models from 2019 onward, iMac Pro (2017), Mac mini (2018), Mac Studio (2022), and Mac Pro (2019). These are not blanket year-based guarantees: consult Apple’s full macOS Sonoma compatibility list rather than inferring compatibility from a processor family or approximate age.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Before assigning a policy, inventory each Mac’s model and installed macOS version. Apple notes that Software Update offers updates compatible with the Mac model. Intune’s DDM Software Update configuration requires macOS 14.0 or later and supports Device Enrollment and Automated Device Enrollment. Confirm that each device’s actual enrollment and management state meets the policy requirements.
Choose the right DDM software update policy
Microsoft recommends Apple DDM for organization-owned Macs running macOS 14 and later. Its planning guidance says to use DDM on those devices to install a specific update by an enforced deadline. Intune makes DDM software update settings available through a Settings Catalog policy. The two main policy patterns suit different change-control needs:
#1 Best Overall
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
| Policy pattern | Version control | Timing and operational effect |
|---|---|---|
| Latest eligible version | Installs the latest version eligible for the Mac, rather than pinning a particular OS version. | Set a delay in days and an install time. The delay sets the enforcement target date; it does not control when the update first becomes available to the user. |
| Targeted version | Specifies the OS version to install. You may also provide a build version, but the OS version takes precedence if they conflict. | Set a target date and time. Intune uses each device’s local time zone; if the user has not started the update by the deadline, the device can show a short countdown and force installation and restart. |
Choose latest-version enforcement when the goal is to adopt the latest permitted update without pinning Sonoma specifically. Choose a targeted version when approval or change control requires Sonoma or another explicit OS version. For targeted enforcement, account for the local-time deadline and possible forced restart. If a device is powered off at the deadline, Microsoft documents a one-hour grace period after it next powers on before forced installation and restart.
Deploy the Sonoma upgrade in a controlled rollout
- Inventory and check eligibility. Record each Mac model and installed macOS version, then compare the exact model with Apple’s Sonoma compatibility list.
- Confirm enrollment. Verify that the Macs are enrolled in Intune through a method supported for the DDM Software Update configuration: Device Enrollment or Automated Device Enrollment.
- Create and assign the DDM policy. In the Intune admin center, create a Settings Catalog policy and configure the DDM software update settings. Select the latest eligible version or enter a target OS version and deadline. Set timing with device-local time zones and restart impact in mind. Microsoft’s macOS software update documentation describes the policy settings and behavior.
- Pilot before wider assignment. Assign the policy to a representative group first. Communicate the deadline and expected restart so users can save work and plan for interruption. Choose the pilot size and rollout sequence according to your organization’s app compatibility, downtime, and recovery requirements.
- Verify the result on the Macs. After deployment, check each device’s actual macOS version. A successful configuration policy status shows that the policy was installed; it does not establish that the OS upgrade completed. Microsoft recommends checking device OS versions.
Use DDM rather than the deprecated MDM update workload
For macOS 14 and later, Microsoft recommends DDM; Apple has deprecated the MDM-based software update workload. The older Intune MDM software update policy documentation discusses supervised devices on macOS 12–15, but that stated scope does not make it the recommended Sonoma deployment path. DDM settings also take precedence over similar device-management commands, so avoid overlapping legacy controls unless you understand their precedence. See Microsoft’s DDM and macOS software update guidance and legacy MDM policy documentation.
Rank #2
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Prepare for recovery and version limits
Apple recommends backing up files before upgrading. Follow your organization’s approved backup and recovery procedure before enforcement. Intune software update policies cannot downgrade macOS, so do not treat the update policy as a rollback mechanism. The appropriate backup, recovery plan, app checks, and acceptable downtime depend on your organization’s environment.
Recommended Free Tools
Check the installed version, not just policy status
Track the installed OS version after rollout and investigate Macs that remain on an older version, even if Intune reports that the configuration policy succeeded. The policy report and the device’s operating-system state answer different questions: one confirms policy installation, while the other confirms whether the upgrade actually took place. Sonoma-specific instructions also do not establish whether Sonoma is the newest or preferred macOS release for your environment; select the target version according to your organization’s requirements and current support guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
Rank #4
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Rank #3
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
