Microsoft 365 Message Center item MC1381122

MC1381122 - Microsoft Defender XDR: Retirement of in-app OS update notifications in Defender for Endpoint (iOS)

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on iOS will retire in-app OS update notifications by late July 2026, shifting OS update compliance and enforcement solely to Microsoft Intune and MDM/MAM. This removes duplicate messaging, requires no immediate action, and aims to simplify management and unify compliance across services.

Message Center ID
MC1381122
Category
plan For Change
Severity
normal
Services
Microsoft Defender XDR
Tags
User impact, Admin impact, Retirement
Published
2026-06-05
Last updated
2026-06-05
Expires
2026-08-30

[What and Why]Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) on iOS is retiring in-app OS update notifications and recommendations. To improve consistency and reduce duplicate guidance, OS update compliance and enforcement will rely on Microsoft Intune and existing MDM/MAM capabilities instead of Defender in-app experiences. This change simplifies management for administrators and provides a more unified and secure compliance experience across Microsoft security and device management services. Intune driven OS update requirements will remain unaffected by this change.[Rollout Schedule]Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD: Mid-July 2026 through late July 2026[Impact on Your Organization]Who is affectedOrganizations using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on iOSAdmins managing device compliance or OS update policiesPlatforms/ServicesiOSMicrosoft Defender for EndpointMicrosoft IntuneWhat will happen:The Defender app on iOS will no longer display OS update recommendations or notifications.OS update compliance and enforcement will rely on Microsoft Intune and existing MDM/MAM capabilities instead of Defender in-app experiences.Duplicate or conflicting OS update messaging between Defender and Intune will be removed.This change will be automatically applied during rollout.After retirement, there is no option to continue using this functionality in Defender.[Action Required / Recommendations]No immediate action is required for this change.To prepare and ensure a smooth transition:Review your OS compliance and update enforcement policies in Microsoft Intune.Validate existing app configuration policies (for example, OS update notification suppression settings) to ensure they align with this change.Inform your helpdesk and end users that OS update notifications will no longer appear in the Defender app on iOS.[Compliance considerations]No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.