Apple announces a new Business platform with free business email and will show ads in Maps

Apple has introduced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that combines device management, productivity tools, and customer engagement features for organizations. The platform is positioned as a new competitor to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, especially by introducing a free business email service for companies, calendar, and directory services for up to 500 users. Companies can use an existing custom domain or buy one through Apple, and each user gets 5GB of iCloud storage with optional paid upgrades.

Business email works with any IMAP compatible client, while calendar supports CalDAV compliant apps across Apple, Android, and Windows devices. Apple Business includes built-in mobile device management for apps, security policies, and device settings, along with features like calendar delegation, directory tools, and role based administration. Blueprints let IT teams preconfigure devices for zero touch deployment when purchased through Apple or authorized resellers, while Managed Apple Accounts keep work and personal data separate and can be provisioned through providers like Google Workspace and Microsoft Entra ID.

On the customer side, businesses can manage their branding and locations across Apple Maps, create branded communications, view analytics, and add branding to Tap-to-Pay on iPhone transactions. More notably, Apple has now confirmed that it will bring ads to Maps for the first time, starting in the United States and Canada later this summer. These ads will work similarly to App Store ads, allowing businesses to pay for placement at the top of relevant search results and within a new Suggested Places section. Apple Business launches April 14 in more than 200 countries and regions, and it will replace several of Apple’s earlier business products.