Microsoft Intune: macOS LAPS First Look

Key insights

• macOS Local Admin Password Solution (LAPS) with Microsoft Intune automates the creation and management of secure local admin accounts on macOS devices, enhancing security and compliance.


• The new feature requires devices to be enrolled using Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) profiles with LAPS enabled, supporting macOS 12 or later.


• Strong, randomized passwords are generated for local admin accounts, stored securely in association with the device's Entra ID object, and automatically rotated every 180 days.


• This solution integrates fully with Intune and Entra ID, providing a unified experience across platforms and eliminating shared local admin passwords on macOS devices.


• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) permissions must be customized by administrators to manage password viewing and rotation securely through Intune.


• This is Microsoft's first native LAPS integration for macOS within Intune, allowing automated deployment during new device enrollments but not applicable retroactively without re-enrollment.

In a recent you_tube_video, Dean Ellerby [MVP] offers a first look at macOS LAPS running through Microsoft Intune. He demonstrates the end-to-end flow, from building the profile to retrieving the password and testing local access on a managed Mac. The walkthrough is paced and practical, so viewers can mirror the steps in their own lab. As a result, the video serves as a clear reference for IT teams planning a secure rollout on Apple devices.

What the Video Shows and Why It Matters

Ellerby explains that macOS support for the Local Admin Password Solution arrives with Intune service release 2507 in July 2025. The feature aims to bring the familiar Windows LAPS model to Macs, but with a native Intune workflow. In the demo, he frames the change as both a security uplift and an operations simplifier for organizations managing mixed fleets. Consequently, it closes a long-standing gap for enterprises running macOS at scale.

How macOS LAPS Works in Intune

According to the video, admins create a macOS LAPS profile in Intune and deploy it through Automated Device Enrollment (ADE). During enrollment, Intune can provision a local administrator account and a standard account, each using a strong, randomized password. Those secrets are stored against the device’s Entra ID object and, by default, rotate every 180 days. Ellerby then shows a Mac enrolling via Apple Business Manager, syncing policies, confirming the account setup, and retrieving the local admin password to validate access.

Security and Management Benefits

The core benefit is the removal of shared or static local admin passwords on Macs, which reduces lateral movement risk. Additionally, centralizing password retrieval and rotation in Intune streamlines daily support and supports audit-friendly controls. Because the password lifecycle is automated, teams can cut manual steps and common errors that often appear in hurried builds. Moreover, the unified workflow improves cross-platform consistency for shops already using LAPS on Windows.

Limits, Dependencies, and Tradeoffs

Ellerby highlights that devices must be on macOS 12 or later and enrolled with ADE; existing Macs may need re-enrollment to gain LAPS. That prerequisite boosts security but introduces planning work, especially for remote users and high-availability teams. The default 180-day rotation is sensible for stability, yet some organizations may choose shorter intervals, which can raise helpdesk traffic and retrieval events. Furthermore, relying on Intune and Entra ID centralizes control, but it also creates a dependency that requires careful outage planning and a well-documented break-glass path.

Operational Readiness and Access Controls

The video underscores the importance of RBAC in Intune: only specific roles should view or rotate passwords. Least-privilege assignments, audit logging, and clear ticketing steps help prevent misuse and ease compliance checks. Teams should train staff on secret handling, define who can retrieve passwords, and script standardized verification steps. In parallel, piloting with a small ADE-enrolled group allows validation of rotation timing, retrieval latency, and real-world support impact before scaling.

Takeaways for Enterprise Adoption

Overall, Ellerby presents macOS LAPS via Intune as a meaningful security upgrade that is also approachable for admins. The feature offers tangible gains—automated creation, secure storage, and rotation—while fitting the existing Intune and Entra model. However, success depends on careful enrollment design, strict RBAC, and staged deployment to balance stronger controls with everyday support needs. For organizations already using Apple Business Manager and Intune 2507 or later, the path to adoption looks straightforward and worth prioritizing.

Keywords

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