macOS Update and Upgrade Expectations

Please Note: This page explains a process still in progress. We released this page to set expectations while we work through implementing the explained processes; communication will be provided as we move through any changes that will affect active devices. Feedback is always appreciated during our progress! ask@roivant.com

Summary

  • We want Roivant and managed-Vant Macs to stay safe, compliant, and useful.
  • We support the latest two (2) Mac operating systems, at their latest iterations.
    • We encourage and/or push automated updates/upgrades when devices are outside this range.
  • Upcoming new macOS releases from Apple are temporarily blocked until a set of prerequisites are met:
    • The “.1” version is released
    • Our core compliance software is confirmed working-as-intended
  • Once released, new macOS releases shift our supported versions up by one.

Expectation Goals

  1. Have a clear process for how Roivant handles macOS updates and upgrades so that Mac users can have fair expectations and make educated decisions on how/when they can - or need - to update the macOS operating system.
  2. We want to stay safe and compliant while maintaining Mac usefulness, and we do so by stating our update and upgrade procedures transparently.

Aligned Definitions

Update = A transition within the same OS version, from one iteration up to another; ex. 13.1 to 13.3

Upgrade = A transition from one OS version up to another; ex. 11.3.5 to 13.1

Iteration = An sub-instance of the OS within a major version; ex. the “.3.5” of 11.3.5

Version = The main instance itself of the OS, encompassing all the iterations; ex. the “11.” in 11.3.5

Kandji = Our macOS management system, a mandatory install on all company Macs, that manages installs/patching/etc.

Passport = The Kandji profile item syncing the Okta login and local Mac login passwords to be the same

Supported macOS Versions

We support the latest macOS and one-previous macOS, based on the latest two operating systems Apple supports. Of these versions, we require the latest iteration of each macOS version.

General information can be found on our Operating Systems page.

Update Process Expectations

We encourage manual updates whenever possible

When updates are released, you can and should update to the latest iteration at a time that is viable for you and your work. We understand workloads and work processes can be affected by updates (and possible device restarts), so the update timeline is left in your hands wherever possible.

  • Kandji will push notification reminders to update; these can be deferred if needed and will notify again after a set time until you update the operating system to the most recent iteration.

We push automated updates for iterations that fall too far behind

Alongside updates being manual to start, if the Mac falls behind on updates, we’ll need to push the latest updates to it eventually. This will be a mandatory push.

  • The update pushed will be the latest iteration, regardless of current iteration
    • Example: 13.1 will be updated direct to 13.4

Upgrade Process Expectations

We encourage upgrading to the latest macOS when possible

If you are not using the latest macOS but are still using a supported version, we encourage you to upgrade to the latest macOS when it is made available for our devices. We understand workloads and work processes can be affected by upgrades (and likely device restarts), so the upgrade timeline is left in your hands as long as you are within the supported macOS range.

  • While in this range, you will receive occasional notifications with encouragement to upgrade to the latest available macOS; but we will not automate the upgrade unless you fall outside the supported OS versions.

Unsupported macOS versions will be pushed to the latest macOS

If you’re using a macOS version outside the supported latest two versions, we will push the device to upgrade via Kandji in order to bring it into the compliance range.

  • Notifications will occur asking you to upgrade, and though the notification can be deferred, it will explain when the upgrade will be automated without an option to defer further.
  • The device will be upgraded to the latest OS version directly - therefore, it will skip the “next” OS version(s) since it will have been at least two versions behind when this automation occurs.

Upcoming macOS Version Releases

Apple releases a new macOS version every year; therefore, we can plan ahead with relative confidence for upcoming macOS releases. Upon its initial release, we actively block its installation until a set of prerequisites are met. Read below for more detail on the release process -

We only support new macOS versions after “.1” is released

This may seem strange, but through our collective experiences there are numerous reasons this delay is in place:

  • The “.0” version of each release is often rife with strange unexpected bugs/processes, and we don’t want to risk those causing our devices issues.
    • Apple often releases the “.1” version rather quickly to patch these bugs, so we feel it is worth the wait to have these protections in place before moving the company to the latest version.
  • Many 3rd party software companies do not release updates for their apps until the “.1” is released, meaning we may have software in use that is not updated to work with the latest macOS yet.
  • Any unexpected things needing to be addressed often get found by the general public on the “.0” version, so we can utilize that community knowledge to make any beneficial tweaks to our systems.

We need to validate our core compliance software is viable

There are a few specific software items that are a part of Roivant (and/or other vant) core applications, and these need to be approved as working as intended before we can release the new macOS for the company. Traditionally, these usually work as intended upon first run; however, if there were to be a fault or bug that prevents the app from functioning, it can/will delay our release time of the new macOS version.

These specific contextual applications can include:

  • MDM software (currently Kandji)
  • Antivirus (currently Cybereason)
  • Company Communications (currently Outlook and/or Slack)
  • etc.

Full Roivant/Vant macOS Release

Once the prerequisites have been met, we will release the new macOS version to Roivant and other Vants. This will, in turn, shift the supported macOS versions up.

  • The now unsupported macOS will receive a timeline for upgrade requirement
    • Ex: Moving to macOS 14 will prompt macOS 12 devices to upgrade
  • The supported - but now one-behind - macOS will begin receiving occasional notifications with encouragement for upgrading to the latest version

All of this will be communicated outward through the appropriate channels; there should be no surprises in any of this transition.