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Blocking Sonoma Developer Beta

  • June 7, 2023
  • 11 replies
  • 176 views
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With Apple's changes to who qualifies for the Developer beta (as well as how it is installed), does anyone have advice on how to block users from installing it? In the past we always created a Restricted Software policy that restricted and then killed the process named "Install macOS <this year's name> Beta.app", but it looks like Apple is no longer deploying these in that way anymore. Granted, I could be wrong on that haha.

We've created a similar policy for Sonoma, as well as an additional policy that blocks "macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtility*" -- since it looks like that is the new deployment method. Have any of you come across a better solution?

Best answer by pkleiber

@marlink They changed the filename of the Sonoma Beta to "Install macOS 14 beta.app"

So Restrict Software works with this setting:

    11 replies

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    • jtrant
    • Honored Contributor
    • June 8, 2023

    Deploy an MDM profile as follows:

    Preference domain: com.apple.SoftwareUpdate

    <key>AllowPreReleaseInstallation</key> <false/>
    T
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    • Tribruin
    • Honored Contributor
    • June 8, 2023

    There is also Configuration Profile option in Jamf to block Beta software. It is under the Software Update payload, un-check the “Allow installation of macOS beta releases”

    FYI - Software Update is still an “all-or-nothing” payload, so if you set the beta setting, make sure the other settings are set appropriately. If you ONLY want to block betas, use a custom payload and the settings @jtrant posted above. 

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    M
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    E
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    • elvisizer
    • New Contributor
    • June 8, 2023

    hmmm tried a custom profile with 

    <key>AllowPreReleaseInstallation</key>
	<false/>

    and betas are still available from sysprefs

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    pkleiber
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    • pkleiber
    • Contributor
    • Answer
    • June 13, 2023

    @marlink They changed the filename of the Sonoma Beta to "Install macOS 14 beta.app"

    So Restrict Software works with this setting:

    M
    qmoreland
    dvasquez
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    • marlink
    • Author
    • Contributor
    • June 13, 2023

    Thank you all for you very helpful advice!

    Jason33
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    • Jason33
    • Honored Contributor
    • June 23, 2023

    Just to note, Beta 2 has changed the app installer name to Install macOS Sonoma beta.app, so if you're blocking by app name, you'll want to add/update as needed

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    pkleiber
    M
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    • marlink
    • Author
    • Contributor
    • June 26, 2023

    Just to note, Beta 2 has changed the app installer name to Install macOS Sonoma beta.app, so if you're blocking by app name, you'll want to add/update as needed


    Thank you for this! 

    pkleiber
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    • pkleiber
    • Contributor
    • July 3, 2023

    What a mess 😄

    mvu
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    • mvu
    • Jamf Heroes
    • July 17, 2023

    There is also Configuration Profile option in Jamf to block Beta software. It is under the Software Update payload, un-check the “Allow installation of macOS beta releases”

    FYI - Software Update is still an “all-or-nothing” payload, so if you set the beta setting, make sure the other settings are set appropriately. If you ONLY want to block betas, use a custom payload and the settings @jtrant posted above. 


    This is working. Set it up during the CIS build-out. When users attempt to do any beta installs, a prompt says they cannot and to see your admin or something.

     

    dvasquez
    S
    U
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    Hello there, what would now be the correct way to block the office macOS Sonoma soon to be released?

    Meaning what shall be the correct process name to block?

    "Install macOS Sonoma.app" or "Install macOS Sonoma 14.app"?

    Thank you.

    B
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    • brad-h
    • New Contributor
    • September 12, 2023

    Hello there, what would now be the correct way to block the office macOS Sonoma soon to be released?

    Meaning what shall be the correct process name to block?

    "Install macOS Sonoma.app" or "Install macOS Sonoma 14.app"?

    Thank you.


    I don't have any additional information but it's likely to follow the same pattern as the previous releases so you should be okay with "Install macOS Sonoma.app"

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