In this guide · 7 sections
Short answer
Apple Business is free and available in Singapore with built-in device management, Managed Apple Accounts, app distribution, zero-touch deployment and Maps brand tools. Apple's business email, calendar and directory, AppleCare+ for Business and iCloud storage upgrades are US-only for now.
What Apple Business is
Apple's newsroom announcement (24 March 2026) describes Apple Business as an all-in-one platform with three parts: device management, tools for employees, and ways to reach customers through Apple Maps, Mail and Wallet. It went live on 14 April 2026 and is free for new and existing users of the three older services.
- Apple Business Manager (device enrolment, Managed Apple Accounts, app licences for a third-party MDM): folded into Apple Business, now in 200+ countries and regions.
- Apple Business Essentials (paid device management, US only): replaced by free built-in management; monthly fees stopped after 14 April 2026.
- Apple Business Connect (place cards and branding on Apple Maps): data migrated automatically to Apple Business.
If you used Apple Business Manager with a separate MDM, our Apple Business Manager guide covers how that setup carries across. This guide focuses on the new platform as a whole.
Which Apple Business features are available in Singapore
Apple says Apple Business is available globally, but some features are limited to certain countries. Its feature availability page (published 14 April 2026) lists Singapore in the same group as Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
| Feature | Singapore | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in device management | Yes | Yes |
| Managed Apple Accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Get Apps (buy and distribute apps) | Yes | Yes |
| Zero-touch deployment | Yes | Yes |
| Brand and Location Management (Maps place cards) | Yes | Yes |
| Branded Mail | Yes | Yes |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone branding | Yes | Yes |
| Mail, Calendar and Directory (custom domain) | No | Yes |
| Buy AppleCare+ for Business | No | Yes |
| Buy extra iCloud storage | No | Yes |
| Ads on Maps | No | Yes |
Built-in device management: what it covers
The biggest change for small companies is that device management is now included for free. Apple says it is designed for businesses without dedicated IT staff.
- Blueprints: preconfigured settings and apps for groups of devices, so a new iPhone or Mac is set up the same way every time.
- Zero-touch deployment: devices bought through Apple or an Apple Authorised Reseller can enrol themselves when switched on.
- Managed Apple Accounts: work accounts kept cryptographically separate from personal data, created automatically through Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra ID or another identity provider.
- Employee groups and custom roles: assign apps and admin rights by team.
- App distribution: buy and push App Store apps to staff.
- Companion app: employees install work apps and request support (requires iOS 26, iPadOS 26 or macOS 26).
Apple also lists a free 5GB of iCloud storage on its Apple Business support page.
Do you still need Intune or another MDM?
For an office that only uses Apple devices and needs basic settings, Apple's built-in management may be enough. Most small businesses in Singapore have a mix of Windows laptops, Android phones and iPhones, and that changes the answer.
Apple Business built-in MDM is enough if
- Almost every device is an iPhone, iPad or Mac
- You need passcodes, Wi-Fi, apps and remote lock or wipe
- Nobody on the team has time to run another admin console
- You buy devices through Apple or an authorised reseller
Keep or add a separate MDM if
- You also have Windows PCs or Android phones to manage
- You use Microsoft 365 conditional access to block unmanaged devices
- You need detailed compliance reports for a client or insurer
- Staff use personal phones and you need a work profile on Android
Apple Business still connects to third-party MDMs, as Apple Business Manager did. If you already use Microsoft Intune, keep it and link it to Apple Business; one console for every platform is simpler than two. Our guide on BYOD policy and MDM for small businesses explains personal-device options.
How to set up Apple Business for a small company
Apple's sign-up guide walks through creating an organisation. The main steps:
Sign up at business.apple.com
Use a work email on your company domain, not a personal address. Check that no other Apple Business or School Manager organisation has already verified your domain.
Enter organisation details and a real person's name
Apple rejects role names like "IT Coordinator". Add your website to speed up verification.
Verify your organisation within 60 days
Apple says unverified organisations are deleted with their data and Managed Apple Accounts. Verification can take several business days.
Verify your domain and connect your identity provider
Link Google Workspace or Microsoft Entra ID so Managed Apple Accounts are created for staff automatically.
Create a Blueprint and enrol devices
Set passcode, update and app rules, then enrol devices. Ask your reseller to link new purchases to your organisation for zero-touch setup.
Claim your Maps place card
Under Brand and Location Management, check your business name, hours and location on Apple Maps.
Add at least two administrators and keep recovery details in your company password manager. If the only admin leaves, recovering the organisation takes time and paperwork.
Do it yourself or get help?
If you run under ten Apple devices and nothing else, a careful owner can set up Apple Business and a basic Blueprint in an afternoon. Mixed fleets, conditional access in Microsoft 365, or a need for encryption reports are where help pays off.
Apple Business setup checklist
IT Sorted is a Singapore-based team of developers with over 10 years of experience. Our Device Encryption & Management package (S$490) sets up Microsoft Intune or Google endpoint management for up to 10 Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android devices, with encryption, screen lock and update rules, and a remote wipe test. If you are deciding between platforms, our Mac vs Windows for small offices guide may help.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Apple says Apple Business is a free service for new and existing users of Apple Business Manager, Apple Business Essentials and Apple Business Connect, including built-in device management and 5GB of iCloud storage. Extra iCloud storage and AppleCare+ for Business are paid add-ons and, as of October 2026, can only be bought in the United States.
Yes. Apple's feature availability page lists Singapore with built-in device management, Managed Apple Accounts, Get Apps, zero-touch deployment, Brand and Location Management, Branded Mail and Tap to Pay on iPhone. Mail, Calendar and Directory, AppleCare+ for Business, iCloud storage purchases and Ads on Maps are not listed for Singapore.
Apple Business Manager, Apple Business Essentials and Apple Business Connect stopped being offered as separate services when Apple Business launched on 14 April 2026. Their features moved into Apple Business. Business Connect data such as place cards migrated automatically, and Business Essentials customers stopped paying monthly device management fees.
Yes. Apple Business keeps the role Apple Business Manager played for third-party MDMs, so you can link Intune or another MDM for enrolment and app licences. If you manage Windows and Android devices as well as Apple ones, keeping one MDM for all of them is usually simpler than splitting management between two tools.
Apple says you have 60 days after signing up to verify your organisation. If it is not approved in that window, the organisation, its data and its Managed Apple Accounts are deleted. Verification can take several business days, so start it as soon as you sign up and keep the contact details Apple may call up to date.