macOS Server 5.9 (Catalina)

Agen Schmitz's October 13, 2019 TidBITS report describes macOS Server 5.9 as requiring Catalina 10.15 or later. It lists new Profile Manager restrictions, payloads and commands, with US $19.99 for new purchases and a free update. That is the report date, not presented as launch day.

Original typographic card; not a historical screenshot.

Family: macOS Server
Version: 5.9 · macOS 10.15
Historical US price: US$19.99 · TidBITS 2019

Agen Schmitz · TidBITS · 2019-10-13

Schmitz highlights skipping Screen Time and Touch ID setup panes, configuring automatic updates and managing Activation Lock on Catalina-enrolled Macs. These are features described in his contemporary report, not a reliability benchmark or current deployment instructions.

Agen Schmitz · TidBITS · 2019-10-13

Apple's original Server 5.9 guide explains that outside access to Profile Manager depends on exposing the service and the router forwarding the request to the server. A service's existence does not mean automatic Internet access. This is preserved as historical networking context, without opening ports or changing accounts.

Apple · Server 5.9 · Intranet and Internet

Graham Needham's MacStrategy reference dates the 5.9 release to October 8, 2019; that remains attributed to his reference, not a verified Apple announcement. Apple's service list for 5.7.1 through 5.11.1 retains Profile Manager, Open Directory and Xsan. This entry does not extend 5.9's requirements to every version.

Apple · Services in Server 5.7.1 and later · Graham Needham · MacStrategy · Server 5.9 FAQ