In April 2022, Apple decided to terminate the remaining functionalities, packed in a $20 software, of the macOS Server. However, the company has assured users it’ll hold on to certain server-inspired features in current macOS releases. Here’s a look at why the macOS server met its maker and alternative solutions from Cupertino.
In April 2022, Apple finally retiredOpens a new window the long-forgotten macOS server app. Apple quietly phased down macOS Server over the previous few years by moving many of its functions to other portions of the macOS, and it has now been formally terminated.
Via a support post, Apple also stated that users of the most recent desktop OS — macOS Monterey – may continue to use the $20 standalone software. However, it won’t receive any updates in the future.
The formal statement from the company read, “As of April 21, 2022, Apple has discontinued macOS Server. Existing macOS Server customers can continue to download and use the app with macOS Monterey.â€
Key server functions like Caching Server, File Sharing Server, and Time Machine Server are packaged with macOS High Sierra “so that even more customers have access to these vital services at no extra cost,†the company said.
Apple Open Directory and Profile Manager were both parts of the defunct server. While the Open Directory feature will remain available, it is time to say goodbye to the Profile Manager tool, deemed obsolete.
Apple has also offered to help users transition from Profile Manager to MDM (mobile device management).
Apple has long since stopped providing support and advocacy for macOS servers. Since 2018, when the business announced plans to remove services like Wiki, DHCP and DNS from the macOS Server, rumors of its collapse gained ground. In addition, Apple also removed features such as calendar and contact support.
See More: Top Serverless Frameworks IT Pros Should Consider in 2022
Alternative Solutions to Apple’s macOS Services
The following table displays the current status of each macOS Server service and alternate options.
| Service | Status | Alternatives |
| Profile Manager | Available in Server 5.12.2 | Learn about choosing an MDM solutionOpens a new window |
| Xsan | Removed in Server 5.12 | Quantum, command-line tools built into macOS |
| FTP | Removed in Server 5.4 | SFTP/SSH |
| Server Docs | Removed in Server 5.4 | iCloud Documents, Apache/WebDAV |
| DHCP | UI tools removed in Server 5.7.1 | bootpd, built into macOS |
| DNS | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | BIND, Unbound, KnotDNS |
| VPN | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | OpenVPN, SoftEther VPN, WireGuard |
| Firewall | UI tools removed in Server 5.7.1 | pf firewall (built into macOS) |
| Mail Server | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | dovecot/Postfix
Courier, KerioConnect |
| Calendar | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | CalendarServer, DavMail, Radicale, Kerio Connect |
| Wiki | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | MediaWiki, PmWiki, XWiki, Confluence, WordPress WMX files |
| Websites | UI tools removed in Server 5.7.1 | Apache HTTP Server (built into macOS), Nginx, Lighttpd |
| Contacts | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | CalendarServer, DavMail, Kerio Connect |
| NetBoot/NetInstall | UI tools removed in Server 5.7.1 | BOOTP, TFTP, HTTP, NFS (all built into macOS), NetSUS, BSDPy |
| Messages | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | ejabberd, Openfire, Prosody |
| Radius | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | FreeRadiusOpens a new window |
| AirPort Management | Removed in Server 5.7.1 | AirPort Utility |
Source: AppleOpens a new window
End of an era
There was a time when Apple was known for its stunning servers. The macOS server was launched in 1999, followed by Apple’s Xserve series, which debuted in 2002 and was decommissioned in 2011. Owning an Apple server back then certainly had some street cred. The suave variety of iPhones and Macbooks, on the other hand, drowned out the thunder of these servers on performance and style.Â
Apple’s move to shut down its server is similar to what Microsoft did with the Windows Home Server years ago.Â
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