Apple Business: New platform for businesses Apfelpatient

Apple today launched its new all-in-one platform, "Apple Business." It combines device management, email, employee directory, and customer communication into a single service – and introduces advertising to Apple Maps for the first time.

Apple's business offerings were previously spread across several separate services: Apple Business Essentials for device management, Apple Business Manager for deployment, and Apple Business Connect for customer communication. As of today, all three services are combined into the new, unified platform "Apple Business." The old individual services will be discontinued.

Apple Business is designed for companies of all sizes that use Apple devices in their daily work. The platform offers a web portal and a companion app and is available in over 200 countries. The basic service is free – with no monthly fees for device management. Paid add-on options include expanded iCloud storage and AppleCare+.

What the platform offers

At the heart of Apple Business is integrated Mobile Device Management (MDM). Companies can centrally manage device settings, security policies, apps, and user groups. A new "Blueprints" feature allows iPhones, iPads, and Macs to be pre-configured with settings and apps before delivery—a process known as zero-touch deployment. Employees receive their devices ready to use without the IT department having to manually configure each device.

For employees, the Apple Business app offers the ability to install work-related apps, request support from their employer, and contact colleagues via an integrated company directory. Managed Apple accounts cryptographically separate personal and business data, eliminating the need for a separate work device. Provisioning can be automated using services like Google Workspace and Microsoft Entra ID.

Additionally, Apple Business includes integrated email, calendar, and directory services that can be linked to company domains.

Customer communication and brand image

In addition to internal management, Apple Business also offers tools for customer interaction. Companies can manage their brand presence across multiple Apple services: branded communication in Apple Mail, brand profiles in Safari, Siri, and Spotlight, order tracking in Wallet, customized location maps in Apple Maps, and tap-to-pay branding.

Advertising in Apple Maps

Apple Business Apple Maps — Image: Apple

One particularly noteworthy innovation: Apple will introduce advertisements in Apple Maps for the first time in summer 2026. Businesses can place ads through Apple Business that will appear in Maps search results and in a new "Suggested Places" feature in iOS 26.5. Initially, the ads will be limited to the US and Canada.

Apple Business: Requirements

The Apple Business app, as well as its email, calendar, and directory features, require iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26. Older operating system versions are not supported for these features; however, basic device management via the web portal should still work for older devices.

For small and medium-sized businesses that have previously relied on third-party MDM solutions like Jamf or Mosyle, Apple Business could represent a free alternative – provided its feature set is sufficient for their specific needs. (Image: Apple)