Features in Technical Preview

Features in Technical Preview are available to use in non-production or limited production environments, and to give customers an opportunity to share feedback. Citrix does not accept support cases for features in technical preview but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance.

List of features in Technical Preview

The following table lists the features in technical preview. These features are request-only preview features. To enable and provide feedback for any of these features, fill out the respective forms.

Title	Available from version	Enablement form (Click the icon)	Feedback form (Click the icon)
Support for browser content redirection	2411
Enhanced display control with Multi-Monitor selector	2411
USB Redirection of mass storage devices	2411
HDX Direct for non-shield scenario	2411
Enable Audio Quality Enhancer to improve audio performance	2411
Support for multiple webcam resolutions	2409
Support for Mac VoiceOver on the virtual desktop and seamless app sessions	2405
Support for HTML format on the Citrix Workspace app for Mac clipboard	2405
Support for sharing system audio on Microsoft teams	2405
Support for YUV444 color format	2405
Support for single sign-on to Citrix Secure Access automatically through Citrix Workspace app	2402
Enhanced Desktop Viewer toolbar	2402
Customize the Desktop Viewer toolbar	2402
Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app	2402
Support for Citrix Secure Private Access for on-premises deployments	2309
Enhanced the High DPI option	2308
Store-based configuration of file access	2308
Keyboard accessibility support for the toolbar on the Virtual Desktop	2307
Client App Management	2305

Note:

• Technical previews are available for customers to test in their non-production or limited production environments, and to give customers an opportunity to share feedback. Citrix does not accept support cases for feature previews but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might or might not act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance. It is advised that Beta builds aren’t deployed in production environments.
• You can provide feedback for this feature using this Feedback Form.

Support for browser content redirection

Starting with the 2411 version, Citrix Workspace app for Mac supports the Browser Content Redirection (BCR) feature. Browser content redirection prevents the rendering of webpages in the allow list on the VDA side. This feature uses Citrix Workspace app to instantiate a corresponding rendering engine on the client side, which fetches the HTTP and HTTPS content from the URL. Note that it is supported for both ARM and Intel CPU architectures.

Browser content redirection supports the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browser on the VDA. Browser content redirection redirects the contents of a web browser to a client device, and creates a corresponding browser embedded within the Citrix Workspace app. This feature offloads network usage, page processing, and graphics appearing at the endpoint. Doing so improves the user experience when browsing demanding webpages, especially webpages that incorporate HTML5 or WebRTC video.

For more information, see Browser content redirection.

Configuration

Note:

The BCR for Mac package is independent of Citrix Workspace app for Mac. You can install and update the BCR package over any Citrix Workspace app for Mac version newer than 2409. The design allows you to get the latest BCR updates without needing to update Citrix Workspace app.

1. Download and install the BCR overlay package on the Mac client from the Downloads page. Note that the package is be listed under Additional Software on the Citrix Workspace app Downloads page.
2. Add the BCR extension to the browser on the VDA. For more information, see Browser content redirection Chrome extension and Browser content redirection Edge Chromium extension.
3. Launch the desktop session and play the HTML5 content.

Enhanced display control with Multi-Monitor selector

Starting with version 2411, the Multi-Monitor Selector (MMS) allows users to choose which displays to use in full-screen mode for desktop sessions only, not for seamless sessions. A new Multi-Monitor button has been added to the toolbar, which appears only when more than one screen is connected. This feature enhances the flexibility and usability of multi-monitor setups in desktop sessions, providing a more tailored and efficient user experience.

Prerequisites:

If the new toolbar is OFF, the Multi-Monitor Selector feature is also turned OFF.

To manage the Multi-Monitor selector feature, use the following commands:

The toolbar button includes three drop-down menu options for desktop sessions in full-screen mode:

• Extend to All Displays: The session switches to full-screen mode on all connected screens. The previous checkbox Use All Displays In Fullscreen mode in the menu bar is removed if this feature is enabled.

• Custom Layout: This option opens a custom monitor selector displaying the layout of the macOS system. Users can click the rectangles in the selector to choose which screens to use and then click Apply. The session then uses the selected screens in full-screen mode.

• Fullscreen: The session switches to full-screen mode on the current single display where the toolbar is located or where the button is clicked.

When a new monitor is plugged in, a notification appears for the user to make a selection. Users can check Remember my preference to mute this notification.

USB Redirection of mass storage devices

Starting with version 2411, USB redirection enables you to access USB mass storage devices connected to a local computer from your virtual apps and desktops, allowing you to use USB drives seamlessly within virtual sessions. This feature is enabled by default.

Note:

The system triggers a Disk Not Ejected Properly message for users. This is a controlled behavior, designed to gain control of the device when existing drivers do not respond to seize requests.

Prerequisites:

• USB mass storage devices must be connected to the local device.
• The USB redirection policy must be enable in store.

Limitations:

Users cannot redirect two USB mass storage devices that share the same Product ID and Vendor ID simultaneously.

HDX Direct for non-shield scenario

Starting with version 2411, HDX Direct allows direct connections from external client devices to Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA), bypassing the Citrix Gateway service. This feature improves performance and reduces latency for both internal and external users through a direct path to the session host, resulting in fewer network hops and improved in-session performance. Also, the decreased load on the Citrix Gateway service enhances the overall system efficiency.

Prerequisites:

• Access to the internal network or configuration for direct connections.
• Network infrastructure that supports direct VDA connections.
• Configuration of Session Traversal Utilities for NAT (STUN) and Traversal Using Relay around NAT (TURN) servers.

To manage the HDX Direct feature, use the following commands:

Limitation:

Requires ownership of STUN and TURN servers.

For more information, see HDX Direct.

Enable Audio Quality Enhancer to improve audio performance

Starting with the 2411 version, Audio Quality Enhancer (v2) is added for Adaptive Audio.

Audio Quality Enhancer effectively manages short periods of packet loss and disruptions by intelligently reconstructing audio from previous samples, thus preventing noticeable degradation in quality. Furthermore, it intelligently and adaptively recovers lost audio packets, if and only when needed. It enables and disables itself adaptively when packet loss increases and decreases for a sustained period. Audio Quality Enhancer optimizes audio playback and recording quality in both good and bad network conditions.

To enable Audio Quality Enhancer, complete the following steps on the client:

1. Enable Adaptive Audio.
2. Enable Loss Tolerant Mode for Audio.

3. Enable the feature:

   • defaults write com.citrix.receiver.nomas PacketLossConcealmentEnabled -bool YES
   • defaults write com.citrix.receiver.nomas EnableNetStat -bool YES
4. Enable Audio Quality Enhancer on the Virtual Delivery Agent as well, which is required to fully enable the feature. That is, Audio Quality Enhancer needs to be enabled on both the Virtual Delivery Agent and Citrix Workspace app sides to function end-to-end for audio playback and recording.

To disable Audio Quality Enhancer, complete the following steps on the client:

1. Disable the feature:
   • defaults write com.citrix.receiver.nomas PacketLossConcealmentEnabled -bool NO
   • defaults write com.citrix.receiver.nomas EnableNetStat -bool NO
2. Disable Audio Quality Enhancer on the Virtual Delivery Agent as well, which is required to fully disable the feature.

Support for multiple webcam resolutions

Previously, only the VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels) was supported for webcam redirection. Starting with the 2409 version, high-definition webcam streaming supports all webcam resolutions up to 720p are available on the client side. If media type negotiation fails, HDX now defaults back to VGA resolution. For more information, see High-definition webcam streaming.

Support for Mac VoiceOver on the virtual desktop and seamless app sessions

Starting with the 2405 version, Citrix Workspace app for Mac supports the Mac VoiceOver feature within a virtual desktop and seamless app sessions. This feature allows users to receive verbal descriptions of UI elements and content within the sessions. These features enhance accessibility and ensure compliance with WCAG requirements.

Support for HTML format on the Citrix Workspace app for Mac clipboard

Starting with version 2405, Citrix Workspace app for Mac supports the seamless copying and pasting of HTML-formatted text between a Mac local app and a virtual app or desktop session running through Citrix Workspace app for Mac. Whether you’re working locally or in a virtual session, this functionality ensures that HTML content is accurately retained during the copy-and-paste process. With this feature, you can copy and paste large HTML text between local and virtual sessions without any restrictions.

This feature is disabled by default in the clipboard redirection policy.

To enable the HTML format for clipboard, you need to add an entry for CF_HTML (and any other in “Client clipboard write allowed formats” and “Session clipboard write allowed formats”) in the ICA policy settings. For more information, see Client clipboard redirection.

Note:

• Client clipboard write allowed formats does not apply if the Client clipboard redirection policy is set to Prohibited or Restrict client clipboard write policy is disabled.
• Session clipboard write allowed formats does not apply if the Client clipboard redirection policy is set to Prohibited or Restrict session clipboard write policy is disabled.

Support for sharing system audio on Microsoft teams

Starting with the 2405 version, Citrix Workspace app for Mac supports sharing the system audio during the Microsoft Teams meeting. With this feature, you can now share the audio playing on your VDA with the participants in a meeting. Select the Include computer sound option to allow sharing the system audio to the meeting.

Limitations

This feature is supported only on published desktops.

Support for YUV444 color format

Starting with the 2405 version, Citrix Workspace app for Mac introduces support for the YUV444 color format. YUV444 is a color format that provides better color accuracy and image clarity compared to the default YUV420 format. It ensures more vibrant and accurate colors, especially when working with multimedia content. This enhancement improves video playback quality and image fidelity.

Note:

• Macs with Apple silicon support YUV444 using both H.264 and H.265 with hardware acceleration.
• Macs with Intel architecture do not support H.264 YUV444 decoding with hardware acceleration. In this case, Citrix Workspace app fall back to the supported color format automatically.

Enabling YUV444

For full-screen H.264:

To enable YUV444 for full-screen H.264 video, configure the following policies on the Delivery Controller (DDC):

• Visual Quality: Always lossless / Build to lossless
• Allow visually lossless compression: Enabled
• Additional Requirements for full-screen H.265:

If you’re using full-screen H.265 video with YUV444, ensure the following:

• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops version 2209 or newer
• Graphics hardware that meets the requirements:
• NVIDIA Pascal GPU or newer
• Intel 6th generation GPU or later
• AMD Generation GCN3 or later

Recommended Policies

• Use video codec: “Use when Preferred” or “For the Entire Screen”
• Optimize for 3D Graphics: Enabled
• Hardware Encoding: Enabled

Support for single sign-on to Citrix Secure Access automatically through Citrix Workspace app

Citrix Workspace app for Mac now automatically supports single sign-on (SSO) to Citrix Secure Access once your login to Citrix Workspace app. If you have both the Citrix Secure Access agent and the Citrix Workspace app installed on your device, this feature allows you to automatically sign in to Citrix Secure Access through SSO when you login to Citrix Workspace app. For more information, see Automatic single sign-on (SSO) to Citrix Secure Access through Citrix Workspace app - Preview in the NetScaler documentation.

To enable this feature through MDM, the administrator must use the following settings:

<key>EnableSecureAccessAutoLogin</key><true/>

Note:

• You need to use Citrix Secure Access version 24.03.1 or later to enable this feature.
• This feature is supported only on cloud stores and not for on‑premises stores.

Enhanced Desktop Viewer toolbar

Starting with the 2402 version, the virtual desktop viewer toolbar is enhanced to be more intuitive, modern, and user-friendly.

The new toolbar provides the following options:

• Show or hide toolbar - Click this button to show or hide the Desktop Viewer toolbar. A notch appears when the toolbar is hidden.
• Shortcuts - Click this button to access the shortcuts.
• Devices - Click this button to access the options in the Devices section.
• Preferences - Click this button to access the options in the Preferences section.
• Minimize - Click this button to minimize the virtual session. This option is hidden in the full-screen mode.
• Fullscreen - Click this button to access the virtual session in full screen.
• Restore – Click this button to restore the virtual session from the full-screen mode.
• Disconnect - Click this button to sign out or to disconnect from a virtual session.

You can drag the toolbar across all screens in the virtual session. When you drag the toolbar, it can rotate automatically based on its placement on the screen. Once you release the drag, it gets positioned to the nearest edge of the screen.

Customize the Desktop Viewer toolbar

Previously, you can completely disable the Desktop Viewer toolbar. However, you can’t enable or disable a few options on the toolbar. With this release, you can customize the Citrix Workspace app for Mac toolbar by adding and removing options on the toolbar. For more information, see Hide or show the desktop tool bar in the virtual desktop session.

You can configure the toolbar through the Mobile Device Management (MDM) settings. The following settings can hide the Device, Preferences, Minimize, and Full screen button:

  <key>HiddenToolbarButtons</key>
  <array>
    <string>device</string>
    <string>preferences</string> 
    <string>minimize</string>
    <string>fullscreen</string>
  </array>

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Note:

You cannot hide the Pin button from the toolbar.

Enable Packet Loss Concealment to improve audio performance

Starting with the 2402 version, the jitter buffer mechanism is improved, and the Packet Loss Concealment (PLC) is added for the Adaptive audio codec. PLC helps to reconstruct the lost data packets. This enhancement helps to improve the packet loss tolerance and jitter tolerance and thus improves audio performance for loss tolerant mode (EDT lossy) for audio.

To enable this feature, you also need to enable the Loss tolerant mode for the audio feature.

Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app

Starting with the 2402 version, Citrix Workspace app for Mac supports the Sign out option for the virtual desktop session. This feature might help conserve energy if you sign out from virtual machines when not in use.

When the user clicks Disconnect or Sign out, or closes a virtual desktop, then the following prompt is displayed, recommending the user to use the Sign out option to save energy.

Support for Citrix Secure Private Access for on-premises deployments

Starting with the 2309 version, Citrix Workspace app for Mac supports Citrix Secure Private Access for on-premises deployments. For more information, see Secure Private Access for on-premises - Preview.

Enhanced the High DPI option

Previously, Citrix Workspace app supported the High DPI option for virtual desktop sessions only.

Starting with the 2308 release, enabling the High DPI option can also support for seamless app sessions. Also, you can now enable the High DPI option on three 4k monitors. These features are disabled by default.

To enable the High DPI option, you must select Preferences > General. On the General tab, select Enable and match the client DPI scale settings. Restart the application for the changes to take effect.

Support for Activity Manager on cloud stores

Citrix Workspace app for Mac supports the Activity Manager feature. This feature lets end users view and interact with all their active apps and desktop sessions at one place. You can disconnect or terminate the active sessions directly from the Activity Manager.

To view active sessions in the Activity Manager, select the Citrix Workspace app icon from the menu bar and then click Activity Manager. To disconnect active desktop sessions, select the respective ellipsis (…) menu and click Disconnect. Click the “X” button to terminate the active app session. For more information, see Activity manager.

Store-based configuration of file access

Starting with the 2308 release, the per-store file access is included as part of the client-selective trust feature. This enhancement allows you to provide access to files on a per store basis.

To enable file access for a store, you must select Preferences > File Access. On the File Access tab, select the store and the type of access required for that store. You can choose any of the following types of access for files and drives on your computer:

• Read and write: Provides read and write access to files and drives for the selected store.
• Read only: Provides read only access to files and drives for the selected store.
• No access: Restrict access to files and drives for the selected store.
• Ask me each time: Request permission to access files and drives each time when read or write access is required for the selected store.

Keyboard accessibility support for the toolbar on the Virtual Desktop

With the 2307 release, you can use the keyboard shortcut to access the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) toolbar. From the Citrix Viewer, go to View in the menu bar and select Use Toolbar shortcut to use the keyboard shortcut. By default, the Use Toolbar shortcut option is enabled.

You can use the following keyboard shortcuts to access the VDI toolbar using the keyboard:

• Shift + Command + T: To activate the VDI toolbar.
• Tab: To navigate across the VDI Toolbar in the clockwise direction.
• Shift + Tab: To navigate across the VDI toolbar in the anti-clockwise direction.
• Space: To select an option on the VDI Toolbar.
• Escape: To close a modal in focus.

The toolbar and CWA preference window now support Keyboard navigation, which helps to navigate between the UI elements and highlights the element that is in focus.

Client App Management

Citrix Workspace app 2305 for Mac now offers Client App Management capability that makes the Citrix Workspace app a single client app required on the end point to install and manage agents such as End Point Analysis (EPA) plug-in.

With this capability, administrators can easily deploy and manage required agents from a single management console.

Note:

• This feature is applicable to Workspace (cloud) sessions only.
• Global App Configuration service is a prerequisite for this feature.

Client App Management includes the following steps:

• Administrators must specify the agents required on end users’ devices in the Global App Configuration service. With this technical preview, administrators can specify an Endpoint Analysis (EPA) agent.
• Citrix Workspace app fetches the list of agents from Global App Configuration service.
• Based on the list fetched from Global App Configuration service, Citrix Workspace app downloads the agent packages through the auto-update service. If the agent isn’t previously installed on the end point, Citrix Workspace app triggers the installation of the agent. If the agent is already installed, Citrix Workspace app triggers an update to the agent (if the version of the downloaded agent is higher than the installed version.)

Citrix Workspace app ensures to automatically update the agents whenever an update is available in the future.

The following diagram illustrates the workflow:

Example JSON file in Global App Configuration service:

{
    "serviceURL": {
        "url": "https://serviceURL:443"
    },
    "settings": {
        "name": "Client App management",
        "description": "Client App management",
        "useForAppConfig": true,
        "appSettings": {
            "macos": [
                {
                    "category": "AutoUpdate",
                    "userOverride": false,
                    "assignedTo": [
                        "AllUsersNoAuthentication"
                    ],
                    "settings": [
                        {
                            "name": "Auto update plugins settings",
                            "value": [
                                {
                                    "pluginName": "Citrix Endpoint Analysis",
                                    "pluginId": "7303CB73-42EE-42BB-A908-9E6575912106",
                                    "pluginSettings": {
                                        "deploymentMode": "InstallAndUpdate",
                                        "upgradeToLatest": true,
                                        "minimumAllowedVersion": "1.0",
                                        "maximumAllowedVersion": "24.0",
                                        "delayGroup": "Medium",
                                        "stream": "",
                                        "isFTU": true,
                                        "isBlocking": true,
                                        "detectRule": ""
                                    }
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ]
        }
    }
}

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The following table lists the Client App Management settings schema, values, and description.

Starting with the 2301 release, administrators can manage auto-update of EPA Clients for macOS through the Citrix Workspace app and single sign-on to Citrix Secure Access if you have already signed in to Citrix Workspace app.

Auto-update of Endpoint Analysis (EPA)

You can now manage auto-update of EPA Clients for macOS through the Citrix Workspace app. Administrators must specify the agents required on end users’ devices in the Global App Configuration service. If the agent is already installed and a new version of the agent is available, then the Citrix Workspace app updates the agent to the next higher version. Citrix Workspace app ensures to automatically update the agents whenever a new update is available in the future.

Example JSON file in Global App Configuration service:

{
    "serviceURL": {
        "url": "https://serviceURL:443"
    },
    "settings": {
        "name": "Client App management",
        "description": "Client App management",
        "useForAppConfig": true,
        "appSettings": {
            "macos": [
                {
                    "category": "AutoUpdate",
                    "userOverride": false,
                    "assignedTo": [
                        "AllUsersNoAuthentication"
                    ],
                    "settings": [
                        {
                            "name": "Auto update plugins settings",
                            "value": [
                                {
                                    "pluginName": "Citrix Endpoint Analysis",
                                    "pluginId": "7303CB73-42EE-42BB-A908-9E6575912106",
                                    "pluginSettings": {
                                        "deploymentMode": "InstallAndUpdate",
                                        "upgradeToLatest": true,
                                        "minimumAllowedVersion": "1.0",
                                        "maximumAllowedVersion": "7.0",
                                        "delayGroup": "Medium",
                                        "stream": "",
                                        "isFTU": false,
                                        "isBlocking": false,
                                        "detectRule": ""
                                    }
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ]
        }
    }
}

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The meaning of the properties and their possible values for the deploymentMode key are as follows:

• “InstallAndUpdate”: The plug-in can be freshly installed and updated with a new version.
• “Update”: Only update is allowed, no fresh install.
• “None”: No action needed for this plug-in.

Single sign-on to Citrix Secure Access using Citrix Workspace app

You can single sign-on to Citrix Secure Access if you have already signed in to Citrix Workspace app. When you sign in to Citrix Workspace app and open Citrix Secure Access, you are not asked to authenticate by entering the credentials. It automatically proceeds with the authentication. This feature provides users with a seamless experience by allowing single sign-on to different Citrix applications. This feature is available only for customers on cloud stores. Along with the latest version of Citrix Workspace app, you must have a compatible version of Citrix Secure Access (22.12.2 and later versions).

Technical Preview to General Availability (GA)