What’s New in Microsoft Intune: November 2024 Update

The November 2024 Intune release (version 2411) brings several updates that IT admins and modern workplace professionals need to know. These changes focus on improving security, updating support for operating systems, and enhancing compatibility with modern development tools. Let’s dive into the key highlights.

Strengthening Admin Security with MFA

Starting this month, Microsoft now requires multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing the Intune admin center. If MFA isn’t already enabled in your organization, admins will be prompted to set it up the next time they log in. This is a critical step toward strengthening access security for administrative tasks.

If you’re not using MFA yet, this is a great time to implement it across your organization. It’s not just about compliance—MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

Changes to OS Support

Microsoft has updated the minimum operating system requirements for Intune-managed devices:

• iOS and iPadOS: Devices now need to run version 16 or later. Older devices can stay enrolled but won’t receive feature updates.
• macOS: Intune now supports macOS 13 and above. While devices on macOS 12.x can remain managed, no new enrollments will be supported.
• Android: Android 10 is now the baseline for user-based management, with older versions considered out of support.

These updates are part of Microsoft’s efforts to ensure better performance, security, and compatibility. Admins should proactively inform users about these requirements to avoid disruptions.

A Heads-Up for Developers: Transition to .NET MAUI

Support for Xamarin apps is winding down, with Intune App SDK Xamarin Bindings scheduled to end in May 2024. Developers must migrate their apps to .NET MAUI to ensure they continue to work with Intune’s app protection policies. If you’re a developer, consider starting this transition now to avoid issues down the line.

Updates for PowerShell Scripting

If you’ve been relying on scripts with the older Intune PowerShell app ID, it’s time to update them. Microsoft is transitioning to new authentication methods tied to Microsoft Graph SDK-based modules, which offer improved security and functionality.

Other Enhancements

• Reporting tools in Intune have been enhanced, giving admins better insights into device compliance and OS versioning.
• New features allow admins to enforce operating system upgrade requirements, ensuring devices stay aligned with Intune’s minimum version policies.

Preparing for These Updates

These changes may require some immediate action:

1. Check for devices running older operating systems and communicate with users about upgrade requirements.
2. Update existing PowerShell scripts to align with the latest standards.
3. For developers, begin migrating from Xamarin to .NET MAUI for uninterrupted app support.

Why These Changes Matter

With every update, Intune continues to evolve as a powerful tool for managing devices in modern workplaces. These improvements help IT teams maintain secure environments, align with industry best practices, and future-proof their organizations.

For more tips and updates like this, visit CloudAdminHub, where we make cloud management and security simple!