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On to 2026!
As we all return from the holidays and Gregorian new year celebrations, there is a lot to catch up in the Mac Admins space. Many admins seem to have used to the down time to catch up with some writing, reviews of 2025 and predictions for 2026.
Even without speculation, there is a lot we know that will happen. Apple will turn 50 this year and Mac OS X will turn 25. macOS 27 will drop Intel support. There will be more Apple devices based on the M5 architecture, maybe even some with M6 chips. This news summary will have its 400th issue.
Let's go!
šø Focus
The Mac Admin Report 2026
In this second edition of MacPaw's Mac Admins Survey, we uncover what companies prioritize, the biggest struggles emerging for IT teams, and current AI adoption trends.
The Mac Malware of 2025
For the 10th year in a row, Iāve put together a deep-dive blog post that comprehensively covers all new macOS malware observed throughout the year.
2025 Highlights
Itās the end of the year, and that means itās time to take stock of what was and what will be yet to come.
Mac Admin Conferences 2026
Myself on Jamf Tech Thoughts:
Whether you want to "just" attend or even hand in a proposal for a talk, here is a list of conferences this year with links to their websites.
š° News and Opinion
Logitech caused its mice to freak out by not renewing a certificate
According to Logitechās support page, the problem was caused by āan expired certificateā required for the apps to run.
Stop Working Before Everything Is Finished
When you work until you have nothing left, you donāt just end the day tired. You also make tomorrow harder.
The Price of Software
The drop in software prices over the years was fueled in part by cutting out the physical retail stuff - not filling boxes and shipping things really does lower the cost a lot - but the prices kept falling because you could āmake it up in volume.ā
Where do we draw the line? On building tools and unintended consequences
Recently, I found out that an open source tool I created is being used by an organization whose work I believe causes real harm in the world.
What the hell are you still doing on X?
If youāre a company, a conference, an open source project, a professional organization: Leave, and do it publicly. Make a statement. Explain why. Let your community know where else they can find you.
āļø Apple Updates
macOS Background Security Improvement Update (BSI) Database
This database will contain changes in the OS Tahoe version number. It will also contain changes in the Safari version number. These changes will occur if there is any, when a BSI update is made available.
Rapid Security Responses are dead! Long live Background Security Improvements!
In case you are wondering, this week Apple released two BSIs for the macOS and iOS 26.3 beta to test the deployment of these new... improvements.
Itās hard to justify Tahoe icons
In my opinion, Apple took on an impossible task: to add an icon to every menu item. There are just not enough good metaphors to do something like that. But even if there were, the premise itself is questionable: if everything has an icon, it doesnāt mean users will find what they are looking for faster.
Last Year on My Mac: Look back in disbelief
Here I summarise my opinions on where Tahoeās overhaul has gone wrong.
š Security and Privacy
North Pole Security Advent Calendar: 25 Days of macOS Protection
Thatās why weāre releasing the Santa Security Advent Calendar: 25 days of battle-tested Common Expression Language (CEL) and File Access Authorization (FAA) rules, each designed to prevent specific attack techniques observed in real-world macOS malware.
From ClickFix to code signed: the quiet shift of MacSync Stealer malware
Jamf Threat Labs observed a signed and notarized stealer that did not follow the typical execution chains we have seen in the past. The sample in question looked highly similar to past variants of the increasingly active MacSync Stealer malware but was revamped in its design.
šØ Support and Tutorials
The Best Tool For Mac Admins That Youāve Never Heard Of
your organization should plan to use the Mac Evaluation Utility to ensure that your network is fine-tuned to work perfectly with Apple hardware and operating systems.
Apple Documentation for Education IT Professionals
Before we look at the Apple Platform Series specifically, it's helpful to understand how Apple organizes documentation.
Deploying Apple beta program tokens using Blueprints in Jamf Pro
Rich Trouton:
Apple provides tokens which allow devices to be enrolled in Appleās beta programs without the need for the user to sign in with an Apple Account on the device.
Using the field encryption key to decrypt secrets in Crypt Server
Why do this? Well, you shouldnāt really ever need to do this. [ā¦] But, in case you have an edge case for doing so, or in case youāre thinking āHow closely should I guard the field encryption key?ā
Signing up for AppleSeed for IT using Apple Business Manager
Rich Trouton:
To assist with making it easier to test these beta versions on devices, itās possible for a user with the Administrator role in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager to accept the AppleSeed programās terms and conditions on behalf of their organization.
Fixing MDM Communications With Apple Business Manager Migration
This guide will go over how to correctly set up Apple Business Manager and Jamf to repair MDM communications.
š¤ Scripting and Automation
Get JAMF DDM Info
This script is designed to extract all DDM information from any given machine and display active & failed blueprints as well as pending software update information.
Set-PowerShellScriptSig 1.1 Published – Bynkiidotcom
John C. Welch:
1.1ās Mac component leverages AppleScriptās Choose File so you can select multiple PowerShell files to sign at once.
Swift Argument Parser: Exiting and Errors
One subject which confused me, was how to exit early out of the toolās logic, and how to do so in case of an error. Now that I understand how it works, I really think the solution is quite brilliant, but it is not immediately obvious.
Using printf to write variable values to JSON strings in Bash scripts
Rich Trouton:
As always when writing scripts, thereās usually multiple ways to solve a problem and I figured out a solution to mine using the printf command.
ā»ļø Updates and Releases
- DDM OS Reminder 2.2.0 (2.3.0b5)
- Baseline 2.4beta1
- MACE v0.0.12-alpha
- swiftDialog 3.0 Beta 4
- Replicator v8.5.2
- Mac Health Check 3.0.0b51
- Munki 7.0.5 (Mac Admins Open Source)
- App-Auto-Patch 2.5.0
- Setup Manager 1.4.1
- Setup Your Mac 1.16rc1
- Installomator Mate 1.3.3
- Jamf Pro 11.23.2
- nanohub v0.2.0
- nanomdm v0.9.0
- nanocmd v0.7.0
š§ Listen
No Rest for the Techy as We Enter 2026
the hosts discuss their busy schedules at the end of 2025 and their plans for the holiday season.
Apple was right about local AI, but IT isn't ready
I discuss why Apple Silicon is Apple's greatest weapon for a local AI future and explain why our current IT tools are completely unprepared to manage it.
Managing in the Antarctic
Lets look forwards and no backwards and talk about what we have in hope for the year.
Season's Greetings From CCP (I'm An American Man)
the hosts discuss the importance of intuition and trusting oneās gut instincts in business and life. They emphasize the significance of mental and physical health, encouraging listeners to take care of themselves and stay vigilant about their overall wellness.
2026 predictions for Apple IT admins
I discuss how I believe the world of Apple IT will evolve in 2026.
Wired for Success, Concrete Solutions With Andy Espo of Call Andy Consulting
Andy Espo from Call Andy Mac Consulting joins the discussion once again.
Inside the 2026 Mac Admin Survey and what it means for Apple IT
Alexander Tatarchuk joins the show to talk about MacPawās Mac Admins Survey 2026.
ALPRs are recording your daily drive
we speak with Will Freeman, founder of the ALRP-tracking project DeFlock Me, about this growing tide of neighborhood surveillance and the flimsy protections afforded to everyday people.