If the current speculation is correct, Apple’s 2026 operating system releases will follow a familiar path: they’re more likely to mimic the macOS Snow Leopard pattern set in 2009 than deliver a raft of snazzy new features. 

Snow Leopard, if you recall, was intended to be a refinement of all the new technologies introduced in the preceding Leopard version of macOS rather than something with a ton of new features. (Though as AppleInsider recently noted, Snow Leopard did come with significant additions, including support for Exchange Active Sync.) While some industry experts are of the opinion that this isn’t what Apple needs, I disagree. 

Apple is now in the position of shipping major updates for six different platforms every year — macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. And while most of these platforms share features and foundations, each is still somewhat distinct. Even iOS and iPadOS have begun to diverge significantly, and with the changes in iPadOS 26, this separation is even more apparent. 

That’s a lot of things to update. When you consider this year’s effort to create a common look and interface (regardless of your thoughts on Liquid Glass), and the repeated delays to Apple Intelligence, it’s obvious Apple and its users would be well served by taking a breath. 

In particular, business customers would no doubt appreciate a break in new features and a focus on improving existing enterprise efforts. 

Managed Apple accounts, the macOS platform SSO, and the transition to an MDM framework based on declarative device management (DDM) are all complex systems that could use refinement. That’s especially true given the lack of several MDM controls for newer features like Apple Intelligence, which is likely to be a big part of 2026.

Just as Apple would be doing itself a favor by working to get existing features right, IT staffers could also use a break from having to test and prepare for a slew of new features every summer — with lead time of just three months. 

MDM vendors have a role to play, as well. Many have done a good job of providing support for new features on day one and for being a resource for enterprise customers. But vendors only have what Apple gives them to work with each year. The onus here is on Apple.

A 2026 wishlist 

I have no crystal ball, but I do have a list of areas that Apple should focus on between now and WWDC in June. 

• Complete the transition to DDM. It’s been in the works for years and there’s been talk of deprecating traditional MDM functionality. So far, we haven’t seen this transition feel anywhere near complete. 
• Improve its macOS Platform SSO extension, particularly for multi-user Macs. (I wrote about these issues in June. 
• Provide real management controls for Apple Intelligence. This, of course, requires more meaningful development of Apple Intelligence, App Intents and the upcoming Gemini-powered Siri. Whatever this looks like, there will be a need for securely managing enterprise data. Maybe that means an expansion of Apple’s Private Cloud Compute structure that includes an enterprise component. Maybe it’s something simpler, like better and more specific controls. Whatever it is, Apple’s AI strategy needs to be much more clearly identified. 
• Make better use of Apple’s Foundation Models. The idea of performing AI tasks on device rather than in the cloud has always been a tempting one that fits well with enterprise security and personal privacy. Apple wasn’t entirely wrong to focus on them despite the drawbacks of doing so amid the LLM explosion in recent years. 
• Refine Liquid Glass. The concept of a unified product UI isn’t bad — as I noted, Apple now has six different platforms to juggle. But the execution of Liquid Glass fails for many, particularly for users with disabilities. 
• Improve AirDrop security. Now that it’s compatible (sort of) with Android’s Quick Share, Apple should revisit the security model for the mobile transfer tool so it can be a useful and secure cross-platform solution. 
• Deliver more documentation. This was a clear area needing improvement when Six Colors conducted its enterprise survey this spring. And offer more enterprise specific WWDC sessions (even if vendor user conferences and Mac admin events can help offset this issue). 
• Provide additional and granular MDM controls. Apple Intelligence isn’t the only new feature where MDM controls are simply nonexistent, even if this is typically true for newly introduced tools. 

In the year ahead, Apple has its work cut out for it. This is the time to refine, expand and revise many of the consumer and enterprise components of it platforms. Taking the Snow Leopard approach is entirely logical.