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Today we are opening Early Access for of FileWave 16.3.0.
FileWave 16.3 is a stability and modernization release. It is meant to reduce operational risk now while laying groundwork for safer, more automated lifecycle management in upcoming versions. In practical terms, that means automated, sequenced Booster upgrades, clearer Booster upgrade monitoring, better upgrade reliability and visibility across Centraland Anywhere, and built-in Brute Force Protection that is enabled by default. Together, those changes create a much stronger base for the more automated upgrade experience planned for 16.4 and later.
On Apple platforms, FileWave 16.3 keeps moving in step with Apple’s current direction. DDM support is broader, mixed DDM/MDM environments are handled better, there is a technical preview of DDM-based FileWave Agent installation on supported macOS versions, and DDM-installed apps now have better lifecycle controls, including update behavior and version pinning. VPP notifications are more reliable, Apple’s Background Security Improvements are supported, and the iOS/iPadOS Kiosk update workflow changed in 16.3.0. If you want notifications for the new Kiosk app to be visible without prompting, see Force Enable Notifications on iOS and macOS for FileWave Kiosk.
Under the hood, 16.3 also includes a lot of important platform work. Debian 13 is now the base for FileWave-provided Server, Booster, and IVS appliances, database and component upgrades strengthen long-term support, upgrade integrity checks are better, and client local data handling is more reliable.
And if you are thinking, “wait, I’m not in the Early Access program”, no problem. This is an open program for all customers. If you run on-prem, you can upgrade during Early Access any time you are comfortable. If your environment is hosted and you want Early Access, open a support ticket and we will help with the process. If you are already in the hosted Early Access program, IT Operations will contact you this week about upgrades planned for next week. The current Early Access window is expected to run through April 28, 2026.
Highlights in 16.3
🚀 Safer upgrades and better visibility
- Automatic Central upgrade on server connection helps keep Central aligned with the Server version.
- Booster upgrades now include reminders, scheduling, sequenced rollout, and clearer reporting. See Upgrading Multiple Boosters and Reporting / Monitoring Booster Upgrade Process.
- The new FileWave Client upgrade architecture starts laying the groundwork for the more automated client upgrade flow planned for future releases.
🔒 Better default security
- Brute Force Protection is enabled by default in Central and Anywhere. See Brute Force Protection.
- Additional integrity checks and platform hardening reduce upgrade risk and improve administrative safety.
🍏 Apple platform changes
- Better handling for mixed DDM/MDM environments.
- Technical preview support for DDM-based FileWave Agent installation on supported macOS versions.
- Better lifecycle controls for DDM-installed apps, including update behavior and version pinning.
- Improved VPP notifications for more reliable Apple app delivery.
- Support for Apple’s Background Security Improvements.
⚠️ Important if you manage iOS/iPadOS Kiosk
- Review Automatic updating of iOS/iPadOS Kiosk before upgrading to 16.3.0.
- In 16.3.0, FileWave Kiosk on iOS/iPadOS becomes a new app, so plan for that change before upgrade.
- Make sure you have already acquired the free VPP licenses for FileWave Kiosk before upgrading, or rollout can be delayed.
- Because it is a new app, devices may prompt again for things like notifications after the transition.
- If you want Kiosk notifications to be visible without prompting, see Force Enable Notifications on iOS and macOS for FileWave Kiosk.
📦 AutoPkg improvements on supported versions
- AutoPkg has also been improved, although this is not limited to 16.3.0.
- More recipes are now available to admins on supported versions.
- The UI now shows the recipe Description field, which makes it much easier to understand what a recipe is for before using it.
- See AutoPkg + FileWave (Integrated v15.5+) for more detail on using AutoPkg with FileWave.
🧱 Platform modernization
- Debian 13 is now the base for FileWave-provided Server, Booster, and IVS appliances.
- Security and platform components were also updated, including OpenSSL 3.6.2, PostgreSQL 18.3 and 17.9, Python 3.14.3, Redis 8.4.0, and Qt 6.10.2.
- Stronger upgrade checks and better local data handling improve reliability.