2024 Apple in the Enterprise Report
Discover the trends shaping enterprise technology as Apple devices continue to gain ground in the corporate world. Use insights from peers at over 470 large organizations to inform decisions for your IT infrastructure.
Apple’s enterprise growth trajectory
Apple device adoption continues to surge
The adoption of Apple devices in large enterprises continues to show strong momentum, with a significant majority reporting increased usage over the past year. This underscores the growing preference for Apple products in corporate environments.
Employee preference drives Apple device growth
of C-level executives say growth in Apple devices is driven by employee preference
In companies where the Apple device footprint is growing, employee preference emerges as the primary factor driving the increased adoption. This is followed by security considerations and reliability, showing a diverse range of growth drivers for Apple in corporate settings.
Apple outpaces Windows and Android in enterprise adoption
Apple devices continue to outpace their Windows and Android counterparts in adoption growth, a trend that has remained consistent since last year. The data also shows a stark contrast in growth rates: 6 times as many leaders report that Apple's growth had “increased much faster" compared to Windows/Android devices.
iPhone is the fastest growing Apple device
iPhone devices are leading the charge for growth in the enterprise. This surge in iPhone usage reflects not only the increasing reliance on mobile devices for business operations but also the spillover effect of personal preferences. Employees who use an iPhone in their personal lives often advocate for and prefer these devices in their professional setting.
Employee preference and IT department needs are behind the growth of iPhone
The increasing use of iPhone devices in enterprise settings is primarily driven by employee preference, followed equally by reliability and security considerations. The iPhone enjoys a strong position in meeting both user and IT department needs.
iPad thrives on mobility and app ecosystem
Mobility needs and the rise of hybrid work are propelling iPad adoption in enterprises. Notably, many respondents say iPads are required for specific business apps. This shows how strong support from the app ecosystem creates a powerful feedback loop: enterprise apps built for iPad drive its adoption, which in turn spurs further app development.
IT leaders see potential for Vision Pro as a business tool
The Vision Pro isn't just capturing imaginations—it's capturing the attention of IT leaders. Two-thirds believe it could enhance business productivity, signaling a potential shift in how we approach workplace technology.
Security Remains a Key Benefit of Apple Devices
Apple devices simplify enterprise security
The vast majority of IT stakeholders find Apple devices easier to secure compared to Windows or Android alternatives. In a world where IT and security resources are extremely constrained, this helps to explain some of the security benefits that Apple delivers.
Apple devices are more secure than competitors
Apple devices are widely perceived as more secure than other end-user devices, with a significant majority of respondents rating them as either slightly or much more secure. This strong security reputation is a key factor in their enterprise appeal.
Companies reporting security benefits jumped in the past year
2024 brought a notable increase in companies reporting security benefits from using Apple devices compared to the previous year, jumping from 48% to 58%. Increased employee productivity remains the top benefit.
Higher percentages of Apple devices bring security and productivity gains
Companies with a higher percentage of Apple devices are significantly more likely to report security and productivity benefits. This could suggest that a more comprehensive adoption of Apple products leads to better outcomes, or that companies who perceive those benefits are more likely to drive towards greater adoption of Apple devices at work.
Apple devices more resilient to widespread cyber-outages
Almost two thirds of IT stakeholders believe that Apple devices are less likely to be impacted by widespread cyber-outages compared to Windows devices. This contributes to the overall confidence in Apple's ecosystem.
How organizations are thinking about artificial intelligence (AI)
AI concerns dominate IT landscape
Most IT stakeholders express concerns about the use of AI in their organizations, with inaccuracies, privacy, and security being the top issues. Leaders want careful implementation and management of AI technologies.
of C-level executives have concerns about AI errors and inaccuracies
Apple leads in AI privacy protection
A significant majority of device stakeholders believe that Apple does more to protect end-user privacy in AI applications compared to other vendors. This perception aligns with Apple's public stance on privacy and security.
When it comes to AI, Apple does more to protect end-user privacy than other vendors.
Majority of enterprises implement AI restrictions
The implementation of restrictions on AI use is becoming standard practice in enterprises, with two-thirds of companies having such measures in place. This trend is consistent across different company sizes and job levels.
Enterprises employ multi-faceted approach to AI restrictions
Companies are employing a variety of approaches to restrict AI use, with published policies, access controls, and user education being the most common methods. This multi-faceted approach reflects the complexity of managing AI in enterprise environments.
AI governance responsibilities still evolving
The management of AI restrictions is often a shared responsibility between IT Operations and Security teams. However, the lack of clear standards suggests that companies are still developing their approaches to AI governance.
Goals and methodology
The primary research gocal was to capture hard data on experiences and opinions of Apple devices used by employees of large enterprises.
Research goal
The primary research goal was to capture hard data on experiences and opinions of Apple devices used by employees of large enterprises.
Methodology
An online survey was sent to independent sources of IT professionals responsible for deployment and management of employee devices in large enterprises. A quota was set to include least 100 C-level (CIO, CTO, CISO, etc.) executives. A variety of questions were asked on currently use and opinions of Apple devices including Mac notebooks and desktops, iPhones, and iPads. The survey was fielded in English. Survey responses were collected between August 15 to 21, 2024.
Participants
A total of 314 qualified participants completed the survey. All participants had direct responsibility for selection, delivery, or management of Apple devices to employees and worked at a company with more than 500 end-user devices and more than 1,000 employees. Participants represented a wide range of job levels, industries, and global regions.