diff --git a/changes/43222-support-fleet-variables-in-ddm b/changes/43222-support-fleet-variables-in-ddm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8fcb2ee2d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/43222-support-fleet-variables-in-ddm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Added support for Fleet variables in Apple's declaration profiles (DDM).
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_deprecated_test.go b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_deprecated_test.go
index 1fd59f44ec..b28dd3f9aa 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_deprecated_test.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_deprecated_test.go
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ func TestApplyAsGitOpsDeprecatedKeys(t *testing.T) {
 	ds.SetAsideLabelsFunc = func(ctx context.Context, notOnTeamID *uint, names []string, user fleet.User) error {
 		return nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
 		return declaration, nil
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_test.go b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_test.go
index 42b39dbbbb..186f4eb3f5 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_test.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/apply_test.go
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ func TestApplyTeamSpecs(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
 		return declaration, nil
 	}
@@ -755,7 +755,7 @@ func TestApplyAppConfig(t *testing.T) {
 		return map[string]uint{fleet.BuiltinLabelMacOS14Plus: 1}, nil
 	}
 
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
 		return declaration, nil
 	}
@@ -1486,7 +1486,7 @@ func TestApplyAsGitOps(t *testing.T) {
 	ds.SetAsideLabelsFunc = func(ctx context.Context, notOnTeamID *uint, names []string, user fleet.User) error {
 		return nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
 		return declaration, nil
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/get_test.go b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/get_test.go
index 361838b8f8..b4381e08e2 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/get_test.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/get_test.go
@@ -2610,7 +2610,7 @@ func TestGetTeamsYAMLAndApply(t *testing.T) {
 		require.ElementsMatch(t, names, []string{fleet.BuiltinLabelMacOS14Plus})
 		return map[string]uint{fleet.BuiltinLabelMacOS14Plus: 1}, nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
 		return declaration, nil
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/gitops_test.go b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/gitops_test.go
index 24f92bcf0a..12fe4596c3 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/gitops_test.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/gitops_test.go
@@ -1637,13 +1637,13 @@ func TestGitOpsFullTeam(t *testing.T) {
 	ds.NewMDMAppleConfigProfileFunc = func(ctx context.Context, profile fleet.MDMAppleConfigProfile, vars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleConfigProfile, error) {
 		return &profile, nil
 	}
-	ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		return declaration, nil
 	}
 	ds.LabelIDsByNameFunc = func(ctx context.Context, names []string, filter fleet.TeamFilter) (map[string]uint, error) {
 		return map[string]uint{fleet.BuiltinLabelMacOS14Plus: 1}, nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
 		return declaration, nil
 	}
@@ -5869,7 +5869,7 @@ func TestGitOpsAppleOSUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultTeamConfig = config
 		return nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		return &fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration{DeclarationUUID: "test-uuid"}, nil
 	}
 	ds.LabelIDsByNameFunc = func(ctx context.Context, names []string, filter fleet.TeamFilter) (map[string]uint, error) {
@@ -6154,7 +6154,7 @@ func TestGitOpsWindowsOSUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultTeamConfig = config
 		return nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		return &fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration{DeclarationUUID: "test-uuid"}, nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils.go b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils.go
index ff0dfa5dd0..6b2cd14475 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils.go
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func setupEmptyGitOpsMocks(ds *mock.Store) {
 	) (fleet.MDMProfilesUpdates, error) {
 		return fleet.MDMProfilesUpdates{}, nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		return &fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration{}, nil
 	}
 	ds.DeleteMDMAppleDeclarationByNameFunc = func(ctx context.Context, teamID *uint, name string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils/testing_utils.go b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils/testing_utils.go
index eee6ef3f14..d1e21550fe 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils/testing_utils.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl/testing_utils/testing_utils.go
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ func SetupFullGitOpsPremiumServer(t *testing.T) (*mock.Store, **fleet.AppConfig,
 		savedTeams[team.Name] = &team
 		return team, nil
 	}
-	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (
+	ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (
 		*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error,
 	) {
 		declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_enterprise_integration_test.go b/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_enterprise_integration_test.go
index e4efa0336e..1df3389956 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_enterprise_integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_enterprise_integration_test.go
@@ -4222,7 +4222,7 @@ labels:
   - name: Test Fleet Label
     label_membership_type: dynamic
     query: SELECT 1
-  
+
 `, fleetName)
 
 	fullFleetFile, err := os.CreateTemp(t.TempDir(), "*.yml")
@@ -4518,3 +4518,44 @@ settings:
 	require.Empty(t, teamMeta.LabelsExcludeAny)
 	require.Empty(t, teamMeta.LabelsIncludeAll)
 }
+
+func (s *enterpriseIntegrationGitopsTestSuite) TestFleetGitopsDDMUnsupportedFleetVariable() {
+	t := s.T()
+	user := s.createGitOpsUser(t)
+	fleetctlConfig := s.createFleetctlConfig(t, user)
+
+	// Create a DDM declaration with an unsupported Fleet variable
+	declDir := t.TempDir()
+	declFile := path.Join(declDir, "decl-unsupported-var.json")
+	err := os.WriteFile(declFile, []byte(`{
+		"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+		"Identifier": "com.example.unsupported-var",
+		"Payload": {"Value": "$FLEET_VAR_BOZO"}
+	}`), 0o644)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	globalFile, err := os.CreateTemp(t.TempDir(), "*.yml")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	_, err = globalFile.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf(`
+agent_options:
+controls:
+  macos_settings:
+    custom_settings:
+      - path: %s
+org_settings:
+  server_settings:
+    server_url: $FLEET_URL
+  org_info:
+    org_name: Fleet
+  secrets:
+policies:
+queries:
+`, declFile))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	t.Setenv("FLEET_URL", s.Server.URL)
+
+	// Applying a DDM declaration with an unsupported Fleet variable should fail
+	_, err = fleetctl.RunAppNoChecks([]string{"gitops", "--config", fleetctlConfig.Name(), "-f", globalFile.Name()})
+	require.ErrorContains(t, err, "Fleet variable $FLEET_VAR_BOZO is not supported in DDM profiles")
+}
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_integration_test.go b/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_integration_test.go
index 70b70620d2..b58575c3f8 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/integrationtest/gitops/gitops_integration_test.go
@@ -222,3 +222,43 @@ func (s *integrationGitopsTestSuite) TestFleetGitopsWithFleetSecrets() {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	assert.Contains(t, string(winProfile.SyncML), "${FLEET_SECRET_"+secretName2+"}")
 }
+
+func (s *integrationGitopsTestSuite) TestFleetGitopsDDMFleetVarsRequiresPremium() {
+	t := s.T()
+	fleetctlConfig := s.createFleetctlConfig()
+
+	// Create a DDM declaration with a Fleet variable
+	declDir := t.TempDir()
+	declFile := path.Join(declDir, "decl-fleetvar.json")
+	err := os.WriteFile(declFile, []byte(`{
+		"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+		"Identifier": "com.example.fleetvar-test",
+		"Payload": {"Value": "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL"}
+	}`), 0o644)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	globalFile, err := os.CreateTemp(t.TempDir(), "*.yml")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	_, err = globalFile.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf(`
+agent_options:
+controls:
+  macos_settings:
+    custom_settings:
+      - path: %s
+org_settings:
+  server_settings:
+    server_url: $FLEET_URL
+  org_info:
+    org_name: Fleet
+  secrets:
+policies:
+queries:
+`, declFile))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	t.Setenv("FLEET_URL", s.Server.URL)
+
+	// Applying a DDM declaration with Fleet variables should fail without a premium license
+	_, err = fleetctl.RunAppNoChecks([]string{"gitops", "--config", fleetctlConfig.Name(), "-f", globalFile.Name()})
+	require.ErrorContains(t, err, "missing or invalid license")
+}
diff --git a/ee/server/service/mdm.go b/ee/server/service/mdm.go
index eae1bf7a76..4a9975663c 100644
--- a/ee/server/service/mdm.go
+++ b/ee/server/service/mdm.go
@@ -1338,7 +1338,7 @@ func (svc *Service) mdmAppleEditedAppleOSUpdates(ctx context.Context, teamID *ui
 		{LabelName: labelName, LabelID: lblIDs[labelName]},
 	}
 
-	decl, err := svc.ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, d)
+	decl, err := svc.ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, d, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/ee/server/service/mdm_external_test.go b/ee/server/service/mdm_external_test.go
index bdfd3bdc04..10996dbc48 100644
--- a/ee/server/service/mdm_external_test.go
+++ b/ee/server/service/mdm_external_test.go
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ func TestGetOrCreatePreassignTeam(t *testing.T) {
 			require.ElementsMatch(t, names, []string{fleet.BuiltinLabelMacOS14Plus})
 			return map[string]uint{names[0]: 1}, nil
 		}
-		ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+		ds.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 			declaration.DeclarationUUID = uuid.NewString()
 			return declaration, nil
 		}
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm.go b/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm.go
index 8b654574d6..5d8c15d936 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm.go
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ INSERT INTO
 		}
 		if _, err := batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, tx, []fleet.MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables{
 			{ProfileUUID: profUUID, FleetVariables: usesFleetVars},
-		}, "darwin"); err != nil {
+		}, "darwin", false); err != nil {
 			return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "inserting darwin profile variable associations")
 		}
 
@@ -5103,7 +5103,7 @@ WHERE h.uuid = ? AND (
 }
 
 func (ds *Datastore) batchSetMDMAppleDeclarations(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtContext, tmID *uint,
-	incomingDeclarations []*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration,
+	incomingDeclarations []*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, profilesVariablesByIdentifier []fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables,
 ) (updatedDB bool, err error) {
 	// First, build a list of names (which are usually filenames) for the incoming declarations.
 	// We will keep the existing ones if there's a match and no change.
@@ -5151,7 +5151,12 @@ func (ds *Datastore) batchSetMDMAppleDeclarations(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.E
 		return false, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "update declaration label associations")
 	}
 
-	return deletedDeclarations || insertedOrUpdatedDeclarations || updatedLabels, nil
+	updatedVars, err := ds.updateDeclarationsVariableAssociations(ctx, tx, incomingDeclarationsMap, teamIDOrZero, profilesVariablesByIdentifier)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "update declaration variable associations")
+	}
+
+	return deletedDeclarations || insertedOrUpdatedDeclarations || updatedLabels || updatedVars, nil
 }
 
 func (ds *Datastore) updateDeclarationsLabelAssociations(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtContext,
@@ -5219,6 +5224,53 @@ func (ds *Datastore) updateDeclarationsLabelAssociations(ctx context.Context, tx
 	return updatedDB, err
 }
 
+func (ds *Datastore) updateDeclarationsVariableAssociations(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtContext,
+	incomingDeclarationsMap map[string]*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, teamID uint,
+	profilesVariablesByIdentifier []fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables,
+) (updatedDB bool, err error) {
+	if len(incomingDeclarationsMap) == 0 {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+
+	incomingNames := make([]string, 0, len(incomingDeclarationsMap))
+	for _, p := range incomingDeclarationsMap {
+		incomingNames = append(incomingNames, p.Name)
+	}
+
+	// Load declaration UUIDs by name (same approach as updateDeclarationsLabelAssociations)
+	currentDecls, err := ds.getExistingDeclarations(ctx, tx, incomingNames, teamID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "load declarations for variable associations")
+	}
+
+	// Build a map from identifier to variables, filtering for declaration entries only
+	varsByIdentifier := make(map[string][]fleet.FleetVarName, len(profilesVariablesByIdentifier))
+	for _, pv := range profilesVariablesByIdentifier {
+		if name, ok := strings.CutPrefix(pv.Identifier, fleet.MDMAppleDeclarationUUIDPrefix); ok {
+			varsByIdentifier[name] = pv.FleetVariables
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Map declaration UUIDs to their variables, including declarations without
+	// variables so stale associations get cleared.
+	var profilesVarsToUpsert []fleet.MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables
+	for _, decl := range currentDecls {
+		vars := varsByIdentifier[decl.Identifier]
+		profilesVarsToUpsert = append(profilesVarsToUpsert, fleet.MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables{
+			ProfileUUID:    decl.DeclarationUUID,
+			FleetVariables: vars,
+		})
+	}
+
+	if len(profilesVarsToUpsert) > 0 {
+		if updatedDB, err = batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, tx, profilesVarsToUpsert, "darwin", true); err != nil {
+			return false, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "inserting declaration variable associations")
+		}
+	}
+
+	return updatedDB, nil
+}
+
 func (ds *Datastore) insertOrUpdateDeclarations(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtContext, incomingDeclarations []*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration,
 	teamID uint,
 ) (updatedDB bool, err error) {
@@ -5310,6 +5362,7 @@ func (ds *Datastore) getExistingDeclarations(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtCon
 	const loadExistingDecls = `
 SELECT
   name,
+  identifier,
   declaration_uuid,
   raw_json
 FROM
@@ -5340,7 +5393,7 @@ func (ds *Datastore) teamIDPtrToUint(tmID *uint) uint {
 	return 0
 }
 
-func (ds *Datastore) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+func (ds *Datastore) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 	const stmt = `
 INSERT INTO mdm_apple_declarations (
 	declaration_uuid,
@@ -5360,10 +5413,10 @@ INSERT INTO mdm_apple_declarations (
 	)
 )`
 
-	return ds.insertOrUpsertMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, stmt, declaration)
+	return ds.insertOrUpsertMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, stmt, declaration, usesFleetVars)
 }
 
-func (ds *Datastore) SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+func (ds *Datastore) SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 	const stmt = `
 INSERT INTO mdm_apple_declarations (
 	declaration_uuid,
@@ -5387,10 +5440,10 @@ ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE
 	uploaded_at = IF(raw_json = VALUES(raw_json) AND name = VALUES(name) AND IFNULL(secrets_updated_at = VALUES(secrets_updated_at), TRUE), uploaded_at, NOW(6)),
 	raw_json = VALUES(raw_json)`
 
-	return ds.insertOrUpsertMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, stmt, declaration)
+	return ds.insertOrUpsertMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, stmt, declaration, usesFleetVars)
 }
 
-func (ds *Datastore) insertOrUpsertMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, insOrUpsertStmt string, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+func (ds *Datastore) insertOrUpsertMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, insOrUpsertStmt string, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 	declUUID := fleet.MDMAppleDeclarationUUIDPrefix + uuid.NewString()
 
 	var tmID uint
@@ -5455,6 +5508,12 @@ func (ds *Datastore) insertOrUpsertMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, insO
 			return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "inserting mdm declaration label associations")
 		}
 
+		if _, err := batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, tx, []fleet.MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables{
+			{ProfileUUID: declUUID, FleetVariables: usesFleetVars},
+		}, "darwin", true); err != nil {
+			return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "inserting declaration variable associations")
+		}
+
 		return nil
 	})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -5613,7 +5672,7 @@ func batchSetDeclarationLabelAssociationsDB(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtCont
 func (ds *Datastore) MDMAppleDDMDeclarationsToken(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string) (*fleet.MDMAppleDDMDeclarationsToken, error) {
 	const stmt = `
 SELECT
-	COALESCE(MD5(CONCAT(COUNT(0), GROUP_CONCAT(HEX(mad.token)
+	COALESCE(MD5(CONCAT(COUNT(0), GROUP_CONCAT(CONCAT(HEX(mad.token), IFNULL(hmad.variables_updated_at, ''))
 		ORDER BY
 			mad.uploaded_at DESC, mad.declaration_uuid ASC separator ''))), '') AS token,
 	COALESCE(MAX(mad.created_at), NOW()) AS latest_created_timestamp
@@ -5643,7 +5702,8 @@ func (ds *Datastore) MDMAppleDDMDeclarationItems(ctx context.Context, hostUUID s
 	const stmt = `
 SELECT
 	HEX(mad.token) as token,
-	mad.identifier, mad.declaration_uuid, status, operation_type, mad.uploaded_at
+	mad.identifier, mad.declaration_uuid, status, operation_type, mad.uploaded_at,
+	hmad.variables_updated_at
 FROM
 	host_mdm_apple_declarations hmad
 	JOIN mdm_apple_declarations mad ON mad.declaration_uuid = hmad.declaration_uuid
@@ -5665,7 +5725,7 @@ func (ds *Datastore) MDMAppleDDMDeclarationsResponse(ctx context.Context, identi
 	// declarations are removed, but the join would provide an extra layer of safety.
 	const stmt = `
 SELECT
-	mad.raw_json, HEX(mad.token) as token
+	mad.declaration_uuid, mad.raw_json, HEX(mad.token) as token, hmad.variables_updated_at
 FROM
 	host_mdm_apple_declarations hmad
 	JOIN mdm_apple_declarations mad ON hmad.declaration_uuid = mad.declaration_uuid
@@ -5783,14 +5843,15 @@ func mdmAppleBatchSetPendingHostDeclarationsDB(
 ) (updatedDB bool, err error) {
 	baseStmt := `
 	  INSERT INTO host_mdm_apple_declarations
-	    (host_uuid, status, operation_type, token, secrets_updated_at, declaration_uuid, declaration_identifier, declaration_name)
+	    (host_uuid, status, operation_type, token, secrets_updated_at, variables_updated_at, declaration_uuid, declaration_identifier, declaration_name)
 	  VALUES
 	    %s
 	  ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE
 	    status = VALUES(status),
 	    operation_type = VALUES(operation_type),
 	    token = VALUES(token),
-	    secrets_updated_at = VALUES(secrets_updated_at)
+	    secrets_updated_at = VALUES(secrets_updated_at),
+	    variables_updated_at = VALUES(variables_updated_at)
 	  `
 
 	profilesToInsert := make(map[string]*fleet.MDMAppleHostDeclaration)
@@ -5806,6 +5867,7 @@ func mdmAppleBatchSetPendingHostDeclarationsDB(
 				COALESCE(detail, '') AS detail,
 				token,
 				secrets_updated_at,
+				variables_updated_at,
 				declaration_uuid,
 				declaration_identifier,
 				declaration_name
@@ -5859,18 +5921,19 @@ func mdmAppleBatchSetPendingHostDeclarationsDB(
 
 	generateValueArgs := func(d *fleet.MDMAppleHostDeclaration) (string, []any) {
 		profilesToInsert[fmt.Sprintf("%s\n%s", d.HostUUID, d.DeclarationUUID)] = &fleet.MDMAppleHostDeclaration{
-			HostUUID:         d.HostUUID,
-			DeclarationUUID:  d.DeclarationUUID,
-			Name:             d.Name,
-			Identifier:       d.Identifier,
-			Status:           status,
-			OperationType:    d.OperationType,
-			Detail:           d.Detail,
-			Token:            d.Token,
-			SecretsUpdatedAt: d.SecretsUpdatedAt,
+			HostUUID:           d.HostUUID,
+			DeclarationUUID:    d.DeclarationUUID,
+			Name:               d.Name,
+			Identifier:         d.Identifier,
+			Status:             status,
+			OperationType:      d.OperationType,
+			Detail:             d.Detail,
+			Token:              d.Token,
+			SecretsUpdatedAt:   d.SecretsUpdatedAt,
+			VariablesUpdatedAt: d.VariablesUpdatedAt,
 		}
-		valuePart := "(?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?),"
-		args := []any{d.HostUUID, status, d.OperationType, d.Token, d.SecretsUpdatedAt, d.DeclarationUUID, d.Identifier, d.Name}
+		valuePart := "(?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?),"
+		args := []any{d.HostUUID, status, d.OperationType, d.Token, d.SecretsUpdatedAt, d.VariablesUpdatedAt, d.DeclarationUUID, d.Identifier, d.Name}
 		return valuePart, args
 	}
 
@@ -6000,13 +6063,65 @@ func mdmAppleGetHostsWithChangedDeclarationsDB(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtC
 	if err := sqlx.SelectContext(ctx, tx, &decls, stmt, args...); err != nil {
 		return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "running sql statement")
 	}
+
+	// For declarations that use Fleet variables and are being installed, set
+	// VariablesUpdatedAt so the host row tracks when variable values were last
+	// computed. This allows re-delivery when variable values change.
+	if err := setVariablesUpdatedAtForDeclarations(ctx, tx, decls); err != nil {
+		return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "setting variables_updated_at for declarations")
+	}
+
 	return decls, nil
 }
 
+// setVariablesUpdatedAtForDeclarations looks up which declarations have Fleet
+// variables and sets VariablesUpdatedAt on the install entries.
+func setVariablesUpdatedAtForDeclarations(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtContext, decls []*fleet.MDMAppleHostDeclaration) error {
+	var installDeclUUIDs []string
+	for _, d := range decls {
+		if d.OperationType == fleet.MDMOperationTypeInstall {
+			installDeclUUIDs = append(installDeclUUIDs, d.DeclarationUUID)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(installDeclUUIDs) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	stmt, args, err := sqlx.In(
+		`SELECT DISTINCT apple_declaration_uuid FROM mdm_configuration_profile_variables WHERE apple_declaration_uuid IN (?)`,
+		installDeclUUIDs,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "sqlx.In declaration variables lookup")
+	}
+
+	var declsWithVars []string
+	if err := sqlx.SelectContext(ctx, tx, &declsWithVars, stmt, args...); err != nil {
+		return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "selecting declarations with variables")
+	}
+
+	if len(declsWithVars) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	hasVars := make(map[string]struct{}, len(declsWithVars))
+	for _, uuid := range declsWithVars {
+		hasVars[uuid] = struct{}{}
+	}
+
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	for _, d := range decls {
+		if _, ok := hasVars[d.DeclarationUUID]; ok && d.OperationType == fleet.MDMOperationTypeInstall {
+			d.VariablesUpdatedAt = &now
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReport updates the status of the host's declarations.
 func (ds *Datastore) MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReport(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, updates []*fleet.MDMAppleHostDeclaration) error {
 	getHostDeclarationsStmt := `
-    SELECT host_uuid, status, operation_type, HEX(token) as token, secrets_updated_at, declaration_uuid, declaration_identifier, declaration_name
+    SELECT host_uuid, status, operation_type, HEX(token) as token, secrets_updated_at, variables_updated_at, declaration_uuid, declaration_identifier, declaration_name
     FROM host_mdm_apple_declarations
     WHERE host_uuid = ?
   `
@@ -6042,7 +6157,7 @@ ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE
 	for _, c := range current {
 		// Skip updates for 'remove' operations because it is possible that IT admin removed a profile and then re-added it.
 		// Pending removes are cleaned up after we update status of installs.
-		if u, ok := updatesByToken[c.Token]; ok && u.OperationType != fleet.MDMOperationTypeRemove {
+		if u, ok := updatesByToken[fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(c.Token, c.VariablesUpdatedAt)]; ok && u.OperationType != fleet.MDMOperationTypeRemove {
 			insertVals.WriteString("(?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, UNHEX(?), ?),")
 			args = append(args, hostUUID, c.DeclarationUUID, u.Status, u.OperationType, u.Detail, c.Identifier, c.Name, c.Token,
 				c.SecretsUpdatedAt)
@@ -6069,6 +6184,12 @@ ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE
 	return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "updating host declarations")
 }
 
+func (ds *Datastore) SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatus(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, declarationUUID string, status *fleet.MDMDeliveryStatus, detail string, variablesUpdatedAt *time.Time) error {
+	stmt := `UPDATE host_mdm_apple_declarations SET status = ?, detail = ?, variables_updated_at = COALESCE(?, variables_updated_at) WHERE host_uuid = ? AND declaration_uuid = ?`
+	_, err := ds.writer(ctx).ExecContext(ctx, stmt, status, detail, variablesUpdatedAt, hostUUID, declarationUUID)
+	return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "set host declaration status")
+}
+
 func (ds *Datastore) MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAs(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, status *fleet.MDMDeliveryStatus, detail string) error {
 	stmt := `
   UPDATE host_mdm_apple_declarations
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go b/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go
index 0a412635fc..06d215dd3a 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func testMDMAppleBatchSetHostDeclarationState(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 				Name:            "Test Declaration " + string(rune('A'+i)),
 				Identifier:      "com.example.test.declaration." + string(rune('A'+i)),
 				RawJSON:         []byte(`{"Type":"com.apple.test.declaration","Identifier":"com.example.test.declaration.` + string(rune('A'+i)) + `"}`),
-			})
+			}, nil)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 		}
 		removeDeclarations := make([]*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, 3)
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ func testMDMAppleBatchSetHostDeclarationState(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 				Name:            "Test Install Declaration " + string(rune('A'+i)),
 				Identifier:      "com.example.test.install." + string(rune('A'+i)),
 				RawJSON:         []byte(`{"Type":"com.apple.test.declaration","Identifier":"com.example.test.install.` + string(rune('A'+i)) + `"}`),
-			})
+			}, nil)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_test.go b/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_test.go
index fae7c5e080..1d1a4bea6c 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_test.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/apple_mdm_test.go
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ func testDeleteMDMAppleConfigProfile(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	testDecl := declForTest("D1", "D1", "{}")
-	dbDecl, err := ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, testDecl)
+	dbDecl, err := ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, testDecl, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// delete for a non-existing team does nothing
@@ -5966,7 +5966,7 @@ func testMDMAppleDDMDeclarationsToken(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Identifier: "decl-1",
 		Name:       "decl-1",
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "decl-1"}`),
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	updates, err := ds.BulkSetPendingMDMHostProfiles(ctx, nil, nil, []string{decl.DeclarationUUID}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -6005,7 +6005,7 @@ func testMDMAppleDDMDeclarationsToken(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Identifier: "decl-2",
 		Name:       "decl-2",
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "decl-2"}`),
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	updates, err = ds.BulkSetPendingMDMHostProfiles(ctx, nil, nil, []string{decl2.DeclarationUUID}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -6043,7 +6043,7 @@ func testMDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAs(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 			Identifier: fmt.Sprintf("decl-%d", i),
 			Name:       fmt.Sprintf("decl-%d", i),
 			RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(fmt.Sprintf(`{"Identifier": "decl-%d"}`, i)),
-		})
+		}, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 	}
 
@@ -6094,7 +6094,7 @@ func testSetOrUpdateMDMAppleDDMDeclaration(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Identifier: "i1",
 		Name:       "d1",
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "i1"}`),
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// try to create same name, different identifier fails
@@ -6102,7 +6102,7 @@ func testSetOrUpdateMDMAppleDDMDeclaration(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Identifier: "i1b",
 		Name:       "d1",
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "i1b"}`),
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 	var existsErr *existsError
 	require.ErrorAs(t, err, &existsErr)
@@ -6112,7 +6112,7 @@ func testSetOrUpdateMDMAppleDDMDeclaration(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Identifier: "i1",
 		Name:       "d1b",
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "i1"}`),
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 	require.ErrorAs(t, err, &existsErr)
 
@@ -6122,7 +6122,7 @@ func testSetOrUpdateMDMAppleDDMDeclaration(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Name:       "d1",
 		TeamID:     &tm1.ID,
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "i1"}`),
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.NotEqual(t, d1.DeclarationUUID, d1tm1.DeclarationUUID)
 
@@ -6136,7 +6136,7 @@ func testSetOrUpdateMDMAppleDDMDeclaration(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Name:             "d1",
 		RawJSON:          json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "i1b"}`),
 		LabelsIncludeAll: []fleet.ConfigurationProfileLabel{{LabelName: l1.Name, LabelID: l1.ID}},
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, d1.DeclarationUUID, d1Ori.DeclarationUUID)
 	require.NotEqual(t, d1.DeclarationUUID, d1tm1.DeclarationUUID)
@@ -6152,7 +6152,7 @@ func testSetOrUpdateMDMAppleDDMDeclaration(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		Name:             "d1",
 		RawJSON:          json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "i1b"}`),
 		LabelsIncludeAll: []fleet.ConfigurationProfileLabel{{LabelName: l2.Name, LabelID: l2.ID}},
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, d1.DeclarationUUID, d1Ori.DeclarationUUID)
 
@@ -6168,7 +6168,7 @@ func testSetOrUpdateMDMAppleDDMDeclaration(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		TeamID:           &tm1.ID,
 		RawJSON:          json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "i1b"}`),
 		LabelsIncludeAll: []fleet.ConfigurationProfileLabel{{LabelName: l1.Name, LabelID: l1.ID}},
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, d1tm1B.DeclarationUUID, d1tm1.DeclarationUUID)
 
@@ -6197,7 +6197,7 @@ func testDeleteMDMAppleDeclarationWithPendingInstalls(t *testing.T, ds *Datastor
 		Identifier: "decl-1",
 		Name:       "decl-1",
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "decl-1"}`),
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	host, err := ds.NewHost(ctx, &fleet.Host{
@@ -9709,8 +9709,8 @@ func testSetMDMAppleProfilesWithVariables(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		&profA,
 		&profB,
 	}, nil, nil, nil, []fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables{
-		{Identifier: profA.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsernameLocalPart}},
-		{Identifier: profB.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername}},
+		{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profA.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsernameLocalPart}},
+		{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profB.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername}},
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, fleet.MDMProfilesUpdates{AppleConfigProfile: true}, updates)
@@ -9727,9 +9727,9 @@ func testSetMDMAppleProfilesWithVariables(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		&profB,
 		&profD,
 	}, nil, nil, nil, []fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables{
-		{Identifier: profA.Identifier, FleetVariables: nil},
-		{Identifier: profB.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups}},
-		{Identifier: profD.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername, fleet.FleetVarName(string(fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix) + "ZZZ")}},
+		{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profA.Identifier, FleetVariables: nil},
+		{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profB.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups}},
+		{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profD.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername, fleet.FleetVarName(string(fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix) + "ZZZ")}},
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, fleet.MDMProfilesUpdates{AppleConfigProfile: true}, updates)
@@ -9754,9 +9754,9 @@ func testSetMDMAppleProfilesWithVariables(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 		},
 		nil,
 		[]fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables{
-			{Identifier: profA.Identifier, FleetVariables: nil},
-			{Identifier: profB.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups}},
-			{Identifier: profD.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername, fleet.FleetVarName(string(fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix) + "ZZZ")}},
+			{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profA.Identifier, FleetVariables: nil},
+			{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profB.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups}},
+			{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profD.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername, fleet.FleetVarName(string(fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix) + "ZZZ")}},
 		})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, fleet.MDMProfilesUpdates{AppleConfigProfile: true, AppleDeclaration: true, WindowsConfigProfile: true}, updates)
@@ -9769,7 +9769,7 @@ func testSetMDMAppleProfilesWithVariables(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 	updates, err = ds.BatchSetMDMProfiles(ctx, &tm1.ID, []*fleet.MDMAppleConfigProfile{
 		&profE,
 	}, nil, nil, nil, []fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables{
-		{Identifier: profE.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups, fleet.FleetVarName(string(fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix) + "ZZZ")}},
+		{Identifier: fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix + profE.Identifier, FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups, fleet.FleetVarName(string(fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix) + "ZZZ")}},
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, fleet.MDMProfilesUpdates{AppleConfigProfile: true}, updates)
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/hosts_test.go b/server/datastore/mysql/hosts_test.go
index d4cccb640c..6dc3e6804d 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/hosts_test.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/hosts_test.go
@@ -4974,7 +4974,7 @@ func testListHostsProfileUUIDAndStatus(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 	// no team Apple declaration profile //
 	/////////////////////////////////////
 
-	noTeamDeclaration, err := ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, declForTest("test-decleration", "com.fleetdm.fleet.mdm.test-decl", "{}"))
+	noTeamDeclaration, err := ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, declForTest("test-decleration", "com.fleetdm.fleet.mdm.test-decl", "{}"), nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// verified status
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/mdm.go b/server/datastore/mysql/mdm.go
index a6363261d1..3cfdc9ae8a 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/mdm.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/mdm.go
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ func (ds *Datastore) BatchSetMDMProfiles(ctx context.Context, tmID *uint, macPro
 			return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "batch set apple profiles")
 		}
 
-		if updates.AppleDeclaration, err = ds.batchSetMDMAppleDeclarations(ctx, tx, tmID, macDeclarations); err != nil {
+		if updates.AppleDeclaration, err = ds.batchSetMDMAppleDeclarations(ctx, tx, tmID, macDeclarations, profilesVariablesByIdentifier); err != nil {
 			return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "batch set apple declarations")
 		}
 
@@ -2021,18 +2021,21 @@ func batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(
 	tx sqlx.ExtContext,
 	profileVariablesByUUID []fleet.MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables,
 	platform string,
+	forAppleDeclarations bool,
 ) (didUpdate bool, err error) {
 	if len(profileVariablesByUUID) == 0 {
 		return false, nil
 	}
 
-	var platformPrefix string
-	switch platform {
-	case "darwin":
-		platformPrefix = "apple"
-	case "windows":
-		platformPrefix = "windows"
-	case "android":
+	var columnName string
+	switch {
+	case platform == "darwin" && forAppleDeclarations:
+		columnName = "apple_declaration_uuid"
+	case platform == "darwin":
+		columnName = "apple_profile_uuid"
+	case platform == "windows":
+		columnName = "windows_profile_uuid"
+	case platform == "android":
 		return false, nil // Early return here, to avoid failing but still utilizing the shared batchSet method.
 	default:
 		return false, fmt.Errorf("unsupported platform %s", platform)
@@ -2050,7 +2053,7 @@ func batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(
 	}
 
 	// delete variables associated with those profiles
-	clearVarsForProfilesStmt := fmt.Sprintf(`DELETE FROM mdm_configuration_profile_variables WHERE %s_profile_uuid IN (?)`, platformPrefix)
+	clearVarsForProfilesStmt := fmt.Sprintf(`DELETE FROM mdm_configuration_profile_variables WHERE %s IN (?)`, columnName)
 	clearVarsForProfilesStmt, args, err := sqlx.In(clearVarsForProfilesStmt, profileUUIDsToDelete)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "sqlx.In delete variables for profiles")
@@ -2117,13 +2120,13 @@ func batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(
 	executeUpsertBatch := func(valuePart string, args []any) error {
 		stmt := fmt.Sprintf(`
 			INSERT INTO mdm_configuration_profile_variables (
-				%s_profile_uuid,
+				%s,
 				fleet_variable_id
 			)
 			VALUES %s
 			ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE
 				fleet_variable_id = VALUES(fleet_variable_id)
-		`, platformPrefix, strings.TrimSuffix(valuePart, ","))
+		`, columnName, strings.TrimSuffix(valuePart, ","))
 
 		_, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx, stmt, args...)
 		return err
@@ -2574,12 +2577,23 @@ func (ds *Datastore) batchSetLabelAndVariableAssociations(ctx context.Context, t
 		return false, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, fmt.Sprintf("inserting %s profile label associations", platform))
 	}
 
-	// save fleet variables associated with Windows profiles (both new and updated)
+	// save fleet variables associated with profiles (both new and updated)
 	// Note: currentProfiles contains all incoming profiles (new AND updated), not just new ones
 	// Process ALL profiles to ensure stale variable associations are cleared for profiles that no longer have variables
+	var varPrefix string
+	switch platform {
+	case "darwin":
+		varPrefix = fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix
+	case "windows":
+		varPrefix = fleet.MDMWindowsProfileUUIDPrefix
+	case "android":
+		varPrefix = fleet.MDMAndroidProfileUUIDPrefix
+	}
 	profileVariablesByName := make(map[string][]fleet.FleetVarName, len(profilesVariablesByIdentifier))
 	for _, pv := range profilesVariablesByIdentifier {
-		profileVariablesByName[pv.Identifier] = pv.FleetVariables
+		if name, ok := strings.CutPrefix(pv.Identifier, varPrefix); ok {
+			profileVariablesByName[name] = pv.FleetVariables
+		}
 	}
 
 	// collect ALL profile UUIDs, including those without variables (to clear stale associations)
@@ -2595,7 +2609,7 @@ func (ds *Datastore) batchSetLabelAndVariableAssociations(ctx context.Context, t
 
 	if len(profilesVarsToUpsert) > 0 {
 		var didUpdateVariableAssociations bool
-		if didUpdateVariableAssociations, err = batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, tx, profilesVarsToUpsert, platform); err != nil {
+		if didUpdateVariableAssociations, err = batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, tx, profilesVarsToUpsert, platform, false); err != nil {
 			return false, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, fmt.Sprintf("inserting %s profile variable associations", platform))
 		}
 
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm.go b/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm.go
index a3e1d03bf8..b74c6c1240 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm.go
@@ -2655,7 +2655,7 @@ INSERT INTO
 					FleetVariables: usesFleetVars,
 				},
 			}
-			if _, err := batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, tx, profilesVarsToUpsert, "windows"); err != nil {
+			if _, err := batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, tx, profilesVarsToUpsert, "windows", false); err != nil {
 				return ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "inserting windows profile variable associations")
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm_test.go b/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm_test.go
index b613dfd2d7..a715050572 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm_test.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/microsoft_mdm_test.go
@@ -2648,7 +2648,7 @@ func testMDMWindowsConfigProfilesWithFleetVars(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 
 	// Mock the profilesVariablesByIdentifier that would be passed from service layer
 	profilesVars := []fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables{
-		{Identifier: "team_profile_1", FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostUUID}},
+		{Identifier: fleet.MDMWindowsProfileUUIDPrefix + "team_profile_1", FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostUUID}},
 	}
 
 	_, err = ds.BatchSetMDMProfiles(ctx, ptr.Uint(1), nil, []*fleet.MDMWindowsConfigProfile{teamProf1WithVarsAgain, teamProf2NoChange}, nil, nil, profilesVars)
@@ -3680,7 +3680,7 @@ func testSetMDMWindowsProfilesWithVariables(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 	_, err := batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, ds.writer(ctx), []fleet.MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables{
 		{ProfileUUID: globalProfiles[0], FleetVariables: nil},
 		{ProfileUUID: globalProfiles[1], FleetVariables: nil},
-	}, "windows")
+	}, "windows", false)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	checkProfileVariables(globalProfiles[0], 0, nil)
@@ -3690,7 +3690,7 @@ func testSetMDMWindowsProfilesWithVariables(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 	_, err = batchSetProfileVariableAssociationsDB(ctx, ds.writer(ctx), []fleet.MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables{
 		{ProfileUUID: globalProfiles[0], FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername, fleet.FleetVarName(string(fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix) + "ZZZ")}},
 		{ProfileUUID: globalProfiles[1], FleetVariables: []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups}},
-	}, "windows")
+	}, "windows", false)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	checkProfileVariables(globalProfiles[0], 0, []fleet.FleetVarName{fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername, fleet.FleetVarDigiCertDataPrefix})
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/scim.go b/server/datastore/mysql/scim.go
index cf3fa52509..ec9b075513 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/scim.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/scim.go
@@ -1317,12 +1317,33 @@ func triggerResendProfilesUsingVariables(ctx context.Context, tx sqlx.ExtContext
 		fv.name IN (:affected_vars)
 `
 
+	const declarationUpdateStatusQuery = `
+	UPDATE
+		host_mdm_apple_declarations hmad
+		JOIN hosts h
+			ON h.uuid = hmad.host_uuid
+		JOIN mdm_apple_declarations mad
+			ON (mad.team_id = h.team_id OR (COALESCE(mad.team_id, 0) = 0 AND h.team_id IS NULL)) AND
+				 mad.declaration_uuid = hmad.declaration_uuid
+		JOIN mdm_configuration_profile_variables mcpv
+			ON mcpv.apple_declaration_uuid = mad.declaration_uuid
+		JOIN fleet_variables fv
+			ON mcpv.fleet_variable_id = fv.id
+	SET
+		hmad.status = NULL
+	WHERE
+		h.id IN (:host_ids) AND
+		hmad.operation_type = :operation_type_install AND
+		hmad.status IS NOT NULL AND
+		fv.name IN (:affected_vars)
+`
+
 	vars := make([]any, len(affectedVars))
 	for i, v := range affectedVars {
 		vars[i] = "FLEET_VAR_" + string(v)
 	}
 
-	for _, query := range []string{appleUpdateStatusQuery, windowsUpdateStatusQuery} {
+	for _, query := range []string{appleUpdateStatusQuery, windowsUpdateStatusQuery, declarationUpdateStatusQuery} {
 		updateStmt, args, err := sqlx.Named(query, map[string]any{
 			"host_ids":               hostIDs,
 			"operation_type_install": fleet.MDMOperationTypeInstall,
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/secret_variables_test.go b/server/datastore/mysql/secret_variables_test.go
index 2e98b416a2..ceec56ab90 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/secret_variables_test.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/secret_variables_test.go
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@ func testDeleteUsedSecretVariable(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 			Identifier: "decl-1",
 			Name:       "decl-1",
 			RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "${FLEET_SECRET_FOOBAR}"}`),
-		})
+		}, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		// Attempt to delete the variable, should fail.
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ func testDeleteUsedSecretVariable(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 			Name:       "decl-1",
 			RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "${FLEET_SECRET_FOOBAR}"}`),
 			TeamID:     &foobarTeam.ID,
-		})
+		}, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		// Attempt to delete the variable, should fail.
diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/teams_test.go b/server/datastore/mysql/teams_test.go
index 5cfeaaccd0..8e4a3e9f7e 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/teams_test.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/teams_test.go
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func testTeamsGetSetDelete(t *testing.T, ds *Datastore) {
 				Name:       "decl-1",
 				TeamID:     &team.ID,
 				RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Type": "com.apple.configuration.test", "Identifier": "decl-1"}`),
-			})
+			}, nil)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
 			teamLabel, err := ds.NewLabel(t.Context(), &fleet.Label{
diff --git a/server/fleet/apple_mdm.go b/server/fleet/apple_mdm.go
index 94228eb467..9fde6c607f 100644
--- a/server/fleet/apple_mdm.go
+++ b/server/fleet/apple_mdm.go
@@ -720,9 +720,25 @@ type MDMAppleDeclaration struct {
 	LabelsIncludeAny []ConfigurationProfileLabel `db:"-" json:"labels_include_any,omitempty"`
 	LabelsExcludeAny []ConfigurationProfileLabel `db:"-" json:"labels_exclude_any,omitempty"`
 
-	CreatedAt        time.Time  `db:"created_at" json:"created_at"`
-	UploadedAt       time.Time  `db:"uploaded_at" json:"uploaded_at"`
-	SecretsUpdatedAt *time.Time `db:"secrets_updated_at" json:"-"`
+	CreatedAt          time.Time  `db:"created_at" json:"created_at"`
+	UploadedAt         time.Time  `db:"uploaded_at" json:"uploaded_at"`
+	SecretsUpdatedAt   *time.Time `db:"secrets_updated_at" json:"-"`
+	VariablesUpdatedAt *time.Time `db:"variables_updated_at" json:"-"`
+}
+
+// EffectiveDDMToken computes the per-declaration token that incorporates both
+// the static content hash and the host-specific variables_updated_at timestamp.
+// When variablesUpdatedAt is nil (declaration has no Fleet variables), the
+// effective token equals the static token unchanged.
+func EffectiveDDMToken(staticToken string, variablesUpdatedAt *time.Time) string {
+	if variablesUpdatedAt == nil {
+		return staticToken
+	}
+	// Must match MySQL's DATETIME(6) string representation used in
+	// MDMAppleDDMDeclarationsToken's IFNULL(hmad.variables_updated_at, '').
+	hasher := md5.New() // nolint:gosec // used for declarative management token
+	hasher.Write([]byte(staticToken + variablesUpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05.000000")))
+	return hex.EncodeToString(hasher.Sum(nil))
 }
 
 type MDMAppleRawDeclaration struct {
@@ -815,11 +831,16 @@ type MDMAppleHostDeclaration struct {
 
 	// SecretsUpdatedAt is the timestamp when the secrets were last updated or when this declaration was uploaded.
 	SecretsUpdatedAt *time.Time `db:"secrets_updated_at" json:"-"`
+
+	// VariablesUpdatedAt tracks when the Fleet variable values for this host
+	// were last computed. Non-null only for declarations that use Fleet variables.
+	VariablesUpdatedAt *time.Time `db:"variables_updated_at" json:"-"`
 }
 
 func (p MDMAppleHostDeclaration) Equal(other MDMAppleHostDeclaration) bool {
 	statusEqual := p.Status == nil && other.Status == nil || p.Status != nil && other.Status != nil && *p.Status == *other.Status
 	secretsEqual := p.SecretsUpdatedAt == nil && other.SecretsUpdatedAt == nil || p.SecretsUpdatedAt != nil && other.SecretsUpdatedAt != nil && p.SecretsUpdatedAt.Equal(*other.SecretsUpdatedAt)
+	varsEqual := p.VariablesUpdatedAt == nil && other.VariablesUpdatedAt == nil || p.VariablesUpdatedAt != nil && other.VariablesUpdatedAt != nil && p.VariablesUpdatedAt.Equal(*other.VariablesUpdatedAt)
 	return statusEqual &&
 		p.HostUUID == other.HostUUID &&
 		p.DeclarationUUID == other.DeclarationUUID &&
@@ -828,7 +849,8 @@ func (p MDMAppleHostDeclaration) Equal(other MDMAppleHostDeclaration) bool {
 		p.OperationType == other.OperationType &&
 		p.Detail == other.Detail &&
 		p.Token == other.Token &&
-		secretsEqual
+		secretsEqual &&
+		varsEqual
 }
 
 func NewMDMAppleDeclaration(raw []byte, teamID *uint, name string, declType, ident string) *MDMAppleDeclaration {
@@ -896,6 +918,10 @@ type MDMAppleDDMDeclarationItem struct {
 	Status          *string   `db:"status"`
 	OperationType   *string   `db:"operation_type"`
 	UploadedAt      time.Time `db:"uploaded_at"`
+	// VariablesUpdatedAt is not part of the DDM profile, but part of the host-ddm tuple, as the variables'
+	// values depend on the host. It is used to compute the token for the DDM for a specific host, as the
+	// ServerToken field is just for the static token of the DDM.
+	VariablesUpdatedAt *time.Time `db:"variables_updated_at"`
 }
 
 // MDMAppleDDMDeclarationResponse represents a declaration in the datastore. It is used for the DDM
diff --git a/server/fleet/apple_mdm_test.go b/server/fleet/apple_mdm_test.go
index 96588adb8f..029370d23d 100644
--- a/server/fleet/apple_mdm_test.go
+++ b/server/fleet/apple_mdm_test.go
@@ -555,6 +555,8 @@ func TestMDMAppleHostDeclarationEqual(t *testing.T) {
 	fieldsInEqualMethod++
 	items[1].SecretsUpdatedAt = items[0].SecretsUpdatedAt
 	fieldsInEqualMethod++
+	items[1].VariablesUpdatedAt = items[0].VariablesUpdatedAt
+	fieldsInEqualMethod++
 	assert.Equal(t, fieldsInEqualMethod, numberOfFields, "MDMAppleHostDeclaration.Equal needs to be updated for new/updated field(s)")
 	assert.True(t, items[0].Equal(items[1]))
 
diff --git a/server/fleet/datastore.go b/server/fleet/datastore.go
index 83577e75ef..8b59be03df 100644
--- a/server/fleet/datastore.go
+++ b/server/fleet/datastore.go
@@ -1764,6 +1764,10 @@ type Datastore interface {
 	// It also takes care of cleaning up all host declarations that are
 	// pending removal.
 	MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReport(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, updates []*MDMAppleHostDeclaration) error
+	// SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatus updates the status and detail of a
+	// single declaration for a host. If variablesUpdatedAt is non-nil, it also
+	// sets the variables_updated_at timestamp.
+	SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatus(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, declarationUUID string, status *MDMDeliveryStatus, detail string, variablesUpdatedAt *time.Time) error
 	// MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAs updates all ("pending", "install")
 	// declarations for a host to be ("verifying", status), where status is
 	// the provided value.
@@ -2013,10 +2017,10 @@ type Datastore interface {
 		macDeclarations []*MDMAppleDeclaration, androidProfiles []*MDMAndroidConfigProfile, profilesVariables []MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables) (updates MDMProfilesUpdates, err error)
 
 	// NewMDMAppleDeclaration creates and returns a new MDM Apple declaration.
-	NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *MDMAppleDeclaration) (*MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
+	NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []FleetVarName) (*MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
 
 	// SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration upserts the MDM Apple declaration.
-	SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *MDMAppleDeclaration) (*MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
+	SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []FleetVarName) (*MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
 
 	///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 	// Host Script Results
diff --git a/server/fleet/mdm.go b/server/fleet/mdm.go
index a8084437da..ba7e2d8dda 100644
--- a/server/fleet/mdm.go
+++ b/server/fleet/mdm.go
@@ -1231,7 +1231,7 @@ type HostMDMCommand struct {
 // MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables represents the Fleet variables used by a
 // profile identified by its UUID.
 type MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables struct {
-	// ProfileUUID is the UUID of the profile.
+	// ProfileUUID is the UUID of the profile or declaration.
 	ProfileUUID string
 	// FleetVariables is the (deduplicated) list of Fleet variables used by the
 	// profile, without the "FLEET_VAR_" prefix (as returned by
@@ -1242,8 +1242,10 @@ type MDMProfileUUIDFleetVariables struct {
 // MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables represents the Fleet variables used by a
 // profile identified by its identifier.
 type MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables struct {
-	// Identifier is the identifier of the profile (which is unique by team for
-	// Apple profiles).
+	// Identifier is the identifier of the profile. Because the profile identifier is not guaranteed
+	// to be unique across platforms and types of profiles (e.g. Apple profiles vs declarations vs Windows
+	// profiles), it must be prefixed with the same letter used for the UUID prefix of the profile type.
+	// E.g. fleet.MDMAppleDeclarationUUIDPrefix.
 	Identifier string
 	// FleetVariables is the (deduplicated) list of Fleet variables used by the
 	// profile, without the "FLEET_VAR_" prefix (as returned by
diff --git a/server/mock/datastore_mock.go b/server/mock/datastore_mock.go
index 371fe691b3..d3047a509a 100644
--- a/server/mock/datastore_mock.go
+++ b/server/mock/datastore_mock.go
@@ -1159,6 +1159,8 @@ type MDMAppleHostDeclarationsGetAndClearResyncFunc func(ctx context.Context) (ho
 
 type MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReportFunc func(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, updates []*fleet.MDMAppleHostDeclaration) error
 
+type SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatusFunc func(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, declarationUUID string, status *fleet.MDMDeliveryStatus, detail string, variablesUpdatedAt *time.Time) error
+
 type MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAsFunc func(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, status *fleet.MDMDeliveryStatus, detail string) error
 
 type MDMAppleSetRemoveDeclarationsAsPendingFunc func(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, declarationUUIDs []string) error
@@ -1297,9 +1299,9 @@ type SetOrUpdateMDMWindowsConfigProfileFunc func(ctx context.Context, cp fleet.M
 
 type BatchSetMDMProfilesFunc func(ctx context.Context, tmID *uint, macProfiles []*fleet.MDMAppleConfigProfile, winProfiles []*fleet.MDMWindowsConfigProfile, macDeclarations []*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, androidProfiles []*fleet.MDMAndroidConfigProfile, profilesVariables []fleet.MDMProfileIdentifierFleetVariables) (updates fleet.MDMProfilesUpdates, err error)
 
-type NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
+type NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
 
-type SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
+type SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc func(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error)
 
 type NewHostScriptExecutionRequestFunc func(ctx context.Context, request *fleet.HostScriptRequestPayload) (*fleet.HostScriptResult, error)
 
@@ -3568,6 +3570,9 @@ type DataStore struct {
 	MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReportFunc        MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReportFunc
 	MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReportFuncInvoked bool
 
+	SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatusFunc        SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatusFunc
+	SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatusFuncInvoked bool
+
 	MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAsFunc        MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAsFunc
 	MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAsFuncInvoked bool
 
@@ -8603,6 +8608,13 @@ func (s *DataStore) MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReport(ctx context.Context, hostUUID s
 	return s.MDMAppleStoreDDMStatusReportFunc(ctx, hostUUID, updates)
 }
 
+func (s *DataStore) SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatus(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, declarationUUID string, status *fleet.MDMDeliveryStatus, detail string, variablesUpdatedAt *time.Time) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatusFuncInvoked = true
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatusFunc(ctx, hostUUID, declarationUUID, status, detail, variablesUpdatedAt)
+}
+
 func (s *DataStore) MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAs(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, status *fleet.MDMDeliveryStatus, detail string) error {
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	s.MDMAppleSetPendingDeclarationsAsFuncInvoked = true
@@ -9086,18 +9098,18 @@ func (s *DataStore) BatchSetMDMProfiles(ctx context.Context, tmID *uint, macProf
 	return s.BatchSetMDMProfilesFunc(ctx, tmID, macProfiles, winProfiles, macDeclarations, androidProfiles, profilesVariables)
 }
 
-func (s *DataStore) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+func (s *DataStore) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	s.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFuncInvoked = true
 	s.mu.Unlock()
-	return s.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc(ctx, declaration)
+	return s.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc(ctx, declaration, usesFleetVars)
 }
 
-func (s *DataStore) SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+func (s *DataStore) SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, declaration *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	s.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFuncInvoked = true
 	s.mu.Unlock()
-	return s.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc(ctx, declaration)
+	return s.SetOrUpdateMDMAppleDeclarationFunc(ctx, declaration, usesFleetVars)
 }
 
 func (s *DataStore) NewHostScriptExecutionRequest(ctx context.Context, request *fleet.HostScriptRequestPayload) (*fleet.HostScriptResult, error) {
diff --git a/server/service/apple_mdm.go b/server/service/apple_mdm.go
index 44e70ac891..7db640770d 100644
--- a/server/service/apple_mdm.go
+++ b/server/service/apple_mdm.go
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/fleetdm/fleet/v4/server/mdm/nanodep/storage"
 	"github.com/fleetdm/fleet/v4/server/mdm/nanomdm/cryptoutil"
 	"github.com/fleetdm/fleet/v4/server/mdm/nanomdm/mdm"
+	"github.com/fleetdm/fleet/v4/server/mdm/profiles"
 
 	nano_service "github.com/fleetdm/fleet/v4/server/mdm/nanomdm/service"
 	"github.com/fleetdm/fleet/v4/server/platform/endpointer"
@@ -74,6 +75,19 @@ var fleetVarsSupportedInAppleConfigProfiles = []fleet.FleetVarName{
 	fleet.FleetVarHostUUID, fleet.FleetVarHostPlatform,
 }
 
+// fleetVarsSupportedInDDMDeclarations is the list of Fleet variables
+// supported in Apple DDM declarations.
+var fleetVarsSupportedInDDMDeclarations = []fleet.FleetVarName{
+	fleet.FleetVarHostHardwareSerial,
+	fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername,
+	fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsernameLocalPart,
+	fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups,
+	fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPDepartment,
+	fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPFullname,
+	fleet.FleetVarHostUUID,
+	fleet.FleetVarHostPlatform,
+}
+
 type getMDMAppleCommandResultsRequest struct {
 	CommandUUID string `query:"command_uuid,optional"`
 }
@@ -860,9 +874,11 @@ func (svc *Service) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, teamID uint, dat
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	// Get license for team lookup and variable validation
+	lic, _ := license.FromContext(ctx)
+
 	var teamName string
 	if teamID > 0 {
-		lic, _ := license.FromContext(ctx)
 		if lic == nil || !lic.IsPremium() {
 			return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, fleet.ErrMissingLicense)
 		}
@@ -874,7 +890,7 @@ func (svc *Service) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, teamID uint, dat
 	}
 
 	var tmID *uint
-	if teamID >= 1 {
+	if teamID > 0 {
 		tmID = &teamID
 	}
 
@@ -888,8 +904,19 @@ func (svc *Service) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, teamID uint, dat
 		return nil, fleet.NewInvalidArgumentError("profile", err.Error())
 	}
 
-	if err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(dataWithSecrets); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	declVars, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(dataWithSecrets, lic)
+	if err != nil {
+		var badReqErr *fleet.BadRequestError
+		if errors.As(err, &badReqErr) {
+			badReqErr.Message = "Couldn't upload profile. " + badReqErr.Message
+			err = badReqErr
+		}
+		return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "validating declaration Fleet variables")
+	}
+
+	varNames := make([]fleet.FleetVarName, 0, len(declVars))
+	for _, v := range declVars {
+		varNames = append(varNames, fleet.FleetVarName(v))
 	}
 
 	// TODO(roberto): Maybe GetRawDeclarationValues belongs inside NewMDMAppleDeclaration? We can refactor this in a follow up.
@@ -918,7 +945,7 @@ func (svc *Service) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, teamID uint, dat
 		d.LabelsIncludeAll = validatedLabels
 	}
 
-	decl, err := svc.ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, d)
+	decl, err := svc.ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, d, varNames)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -948,11 +975,177 @@ func (svc *Service) NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx context.Context, teamID uint, dat
 	return decl, nil
 }
 
-func validateDeclarationFleetVariables(contents string) error {
-	if variables.Contains(contents) {
-		return &fleet.BadRequestError{Message: "Fleet variables ($FLEET_VAR_*) are not currently supported in DDM profiles"}
+func validateDeclarationFleetVariables(contents string, lic license.LicenseChecker) ([]string, error) {
+	fleetVars := variables.Find(contents)
+	if len(fleetVars) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
 	}
-	return nil
+
+	// Check premium license
+	if lic == nil || !lic.IsPremium() {
+		return nil, fleet.ErrMissingLicense
+	}
+
+	// Validate against allowed list
+	for _, fleetVar := range fleetVars {
+		if !slices.Contains(fleetVarsSupportedInDDMDeclarations, fleet.FleetVarName(fleetVar)) {
+			return nil, &fleet.BadRequestError{
+				Message: fmt.Sprintf("Fleet variable $FLEET_VAR_%s is not supported in DDM profiles.", fleetVar),
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return fleetVars, nil
+}
+
+// jsonEscapeString returns the JSON-escaped interior of a string value
+// (without surrounding quotes), suitable for embedding inside a JSON string.
+func jsonEscapeString(s string) string {
+	b, err := json.Marshal(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		// json.Marshal on a string should never fail, but return the
+		// original string as a fallback.
+		return s
+	}
+	// strip surrounding quotes
+	return string(b[1 : len(b)-1])
+}
+
+// replaceDeclarationFleetVariables replaces $FLEET_VAR_* placeholders in a
+// DDM declaration with host-specific values. Values are JSON-string-escaped
+// so they are safe inside JSON string fields.
+func (svc *MDMAppleDDMService) replaceDeclarationFleetVariables(
+	ctx context.Context, contents string, hostUUID string,
+) (string, error) {
+	fleetVars := variables.Find(contents)
+	if len(fleetVars) == 0 {
+		return contents, nil
+	}
+
+	var hostLite fleet.Host
+	hostLite.UUID = hostUUID
+	hostHydrated := false
+
+	hydrateHost := func() error {
+		if hostHydrated {
+			return nil
+		}
+		h, ok, err := profiles.HydrateHost(ctx, svc.ds, hostLite, func(n int) error {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unexpected number of hosts (%d) for UUID %s", n, hostUUID)
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("host not found for UUID %s", hostUUID)
+		}
+		hostLite = h
+		hostHydrated = true
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var idpUser *fleet.HostEndUser
+	resolveIDPUser := func(varName string) (*fleet.HostEndUser, error) {
+		if idpUser != nil {
+			return idpUser, nil
+		}
+		if err := hydrateHost(); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		users, err := fleet.GetEndUsers(ctx, svc.ds, hostLite.ID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("get end users for host: %w", err)
+		}
+		if len(users) == 0 || users[0].IdpUserName == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("There is no IdP username for this host. Fleet couldn't populate $FLEET_VAR_%s.", varName)
+		}
+		idpUser = &users[0]
+		return idpUser, nil
+	}
+
+	for _, fleetVar := range fleetVars {
+		var value string
+		switch fleet.FleetVarName(fleetVar) {
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostUUID:
+			value = hostUUID
+
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostHardwareSerial:
+			if err := hydrateHost(); err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			if strings.TrimSpace(hostLite.HardwareSerial) == "" {
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("There is no serial number for this host. Fleet couldn't populate $FLEET_VAR_%s.", fleetVar)
+			}
+			value = hostLite.HardwareSerial
+
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostPlatform:
+			if err := hydrateHost(); err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			value = hostLite.Platform
+			if value == "darwin" {
+				value = "macos"
+			}
+
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsername:
+			user, err := resolveIDPUser(fleetVar)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			value = user.IdpUserName
+
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPUsernameLocalPart:
+			user, err := resolveIDPUser(fleetVar)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			local, _, _ := strings.Cut(user.IdpUserName, "@")
+			value = local
+
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPGroups:
+			user, err := resolveIDPUser(fleetVar)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			if len(user.IdpGroups) == 0 {
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("There are no IdP groups for this host. Fleet couldn't populate $FLEET_VAR_%s.", fleetVar)
+			}
+			value = strings.Join(user.IdpGroups, ",")
+
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPDepartment:
+			user, err := resolveIDPUser(fleetVar)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			if user.Department == "" {
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("There is no IdP department for this host. Fleet couldn't populate $FLEET_VAR_%s.", fleetVar)
+			}
+			value = user.Department
+
+		case fleet.FleetVarHostEndUserIDPFullname:
+			user, err := resolveIDPUser(fleetVar)
+			if err != nil {
+				return "", err
+			}
+			if strings.TrimSpace(user.IdpFullName) == "" {
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("There is no IdP full name for this host. Fleet couldn't populate $FLEET_VAR_%s.", fleetVar)
+			}
+			value = strings.TrimSpace(user.IdpFullName)
+
+		default:
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("Fleet variable $FLEET_VAR_%s is not supported in DDM declarations.", fleetVar)
+		}
+
+		contents = variables.Replace(contents, fleetVar, jsonEscapeString(value))
+	}
+
+	return contents, nil
+}
+
+// markDeclarationFailed marks a DDM declaration as failed for a specific host.
+func (svc *MDMAppleDDMService) markDeclarationFailed(ctx context.Context, hostUUID string, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, detail string) error {
+	status := fleet.MDMDeliveryFailed
+	return svc.ds.SetHostMDMAppleDeclarationStatus(ctx, hostUUID, d.DeclarationUUID, &status, detail, nil)
 }
 
 func (svc *Service) batchValidateDeclarationLabels(ctx context.Context, labelNames []string, teamID uint) (map[string]fleet.ConfigurationProfileLabel, error) {
@@ -5967,31 +6160,34 @@ func (svc *MDMAppleDDMService) handleDeclarationItems(ctx context.Context, hostU
 			}
 			continue
 		}
+		effectiveToken := fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(d.ServerToken, d.VariablesUpdatedAt)
 		configurations = append(configurations, fleet.MDMAppleDDMManifest{
 			Identifier:  d.Identifier,
-			ServerToken: d.ServerToken,
+			ServerToken: effectiveToken,
 		})
 		activations = append(activations, fleet.MDMAppleDDMManifest{
 			Identifier:  fmt.Sprintf("%s.activation", d.Identifier),
-			ServerToken: d.ServerToken,
+			ServerToken: effectiveToken,
 		})
 	}
 
 	// Calculate token based on count and concatenated tokens for install items
 	var count int
 	type tokenSorting struct {
-		token           string
-		uploadedAt      time.Time
-		declarationUUID string
+		token              string
+		variablesUpdatedAt *time.Time
+		uploadedAt         time.Time
+		declarationUUID    string
 	}
 	var tokens []tokenSorting
 	for _, d := range di {
 		if d.OperationType != nil && *d.OperationType == string(fleet.MDMOperationTypeInstall) {
 			// Extract d.ServerToken and order by d.UploadedAt descending and then by d.DeclarationUUID ascending
 			sorting := tokenSorting{
-				token:           d.ServerToken,
-				uploadedAt:      d.UploadedAt,
-				declarationUUID: d.DeclarationUUID,
+				token:              d.ServerToken,
+				variablesUpdatedAt: d.VariablesUpdatedAt,
+				uploadedAt:         d.UploadedAt,
+				declarationUUID:    d.DeclarationUUID,
 			}
 			tokens = append(tokens, sorting)
 			count++
@@ -6007,6 +6203,11 @@ func (svc *MDMAppleDDMService) handleDeclarationItems(ctx context.Context, hostU
 	var tokenBuilder strings.Builder
 	for _, t := range tokens {
 		tokenBuilder.WriteString(t.token)
+		if t.variablesUpdatedAt != nil {
+			// Must match MySQL's DATETIME(6) string representation used in
+			// MDMAppleDDMDeclarationsToken's IFNULL(hmad.variables_updated_at, '').
+			tokenBuilder.WriteString(t.variablesUpdatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05.000000"))
+		}
 	}
 
 	var token string
@@ -6080,7 +6281,7 @@ func (svc *MDMAppleDDMService) handleActivationDeclaration(ctx context.Context,
   },
   "ServerToken": "%s",
   "Type": "com.apple.activation.simple"
-}`, parts[2], references, d.Token)
+}`, parts[2], references, fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(d.Token, d.VariablesUpdatedAt))
 
 	return []byte(response), nil
 }
@@ -6099,11 +6300,21 @@ func (svc *MDMAppleDDMService) handleConfigurationDeclaration(ctx context.Contex
 		return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, fmt.Sprintf("expanding embedded secrets for identifier:%s hostUUID:%s", parts[2], hostUUID))
 	}
 
+	// Replace Fleet variables with host-specific values
+	expanded, err = svc.replaceDeclarationFleetVariables(ctx, expanded, hostUUID)
+	if err != nil {
+		// Mark this declaration as failed for this host, return empty 200
+		if err := svc.markDeclarationFailed(ctx, hostUUID, d, err.Error()); err != nil {
+			return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "mark declaration as failed")
+		}
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
 	var tempd map[string]any
 	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(expanded), &tempd); err != nil {
 		return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "unmarshaling stored declaration")
 	}
-	tempd["ServerToken"] = d.Token
+	tempd["ServerToken"] = fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(d.Token, d.VariablesUpdatedAt) //nolint:nilaway // tempd is non-nil after successful json.Unmarshal
 
 	b, err := json.Marshal(tempd)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/server/service/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go b/server/service/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go
index 6a337c293d..210ca149e1 100644
--- a/server/service/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go
+++ b/server/service/apple_mdm_ddm_test.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func TestDeclarativeManagement_DeclarationItems(t *testing.T) {
 			TeamID:          nil,
 			RawJSON:         []byte(fmt.Sprintf(`{"Type":"com.apple.test.declaration","Identifier":"%s"}`, identifier)),
 		}
-		declaration, err := ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(context.Background(), declaration)
+		declaration, err := ds.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(context.Background(), declaration, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		return declaration
 	}
diff --git a/server/service/apple_mdm_test.go b/server/service/apple_mdm_test.go
index 9810805a28..4184327659 100644
--- a/server/service/apple_mdm_test.go
+++ b/server/service/apple_mdm_test.go
@@ -887,7 +887,7 @@ func TestNewMDMAppleDeclaration(t *testing.T) {
 	_, err = svc.NewMDMAppleDeclaration(ctx, 0, b, nil, "name", fleet.LabelsIncludeAll)
 	assert.ErrorContains(t, err, "Only configuration declarations (com.apple.configuration.) are supported")
 
-	ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+	ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 		return d, nil
 	}
 	ds.BulkSetPendingMDMHostProfilesFunc = func(ctx context.Context, hids, tids []uint, puuids, uuids []string,
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ func TestNewMDMAppleDeclarationSkipValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		ds.ExpandEmbeddedSecretsAndUpdatedAtFunc = func(ctx context.Context, s string) (string, *time.Time, error) {
 			return s, nil, nil
 		}
-		ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+		ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 			return d, nil
 		}
 		ds.BulkSetPendingMDMHostProfilesFunc = func(ctx context.Context, hids, tids []uint, puuids, uuids []string,
@@ -1016,7 +1016,7 @@ func TestNewMDMAppleDeclarationSkipValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		ds.ExpandEmbeddedSecretsAndUpdatedAtFunc = func(ctx context.Context, s string) (string, *time.Time, error) {
 			return s, nil, nil
 		}
-		ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+		ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 			return d, nil
 		}
 		ds.BulkSetPendingMDMHostProfilesFunc = func(ctx context.Context, hids, tids []uint, puuids, uuids []string,
@@ -1058,7 +1058,7 @@ func TestNewMDMAppleDeclarationSkipValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		ds.ExpandEmbeddedSecretsAndUpdatedAtFunc = func(ctx context.Context, s string) (string, *time.Time, error) {
 			return s, nil, nil
 		}
-		ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
+		ds.NewMDMAppleDeclarationFunc = func(ctx context.Context, d *fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, usesFleetVars []fleet.FleetVarName) (*fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration, error) {
 			return d, nil
 		}
 		ds.BulkSetPendingMDMHostProfilesFunc = func(ctx context.Context, hids, tids []uint, puuids, uuids []string,
@@ -6338,6 +6338,103 @@ func TestValidateConfigProfileFleetVariables(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestValidateDeclarationFleetVariables(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	premiumLic := &fleet.LicenseInfo{Tier: fleet.TierPremium}
+	freeLic := &fleet.LicenseInfo{Tier: fleet.TierFree}
+
+	// helper to create a simple DDM declaration JSON with a value field
+	makeDecl := func(value string) string {
+		return fmt.Sprintf(`{"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test", "Identifier": "com.example.test", "Payload": {"Value": %q}}`, value)
+	}
+
+	t.Run("no variables, free license", func(t *testing.T) {
+		vars, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(makeDecl("static-value"), freeLic)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, vars)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("supported variable with premium license", func(t *testing.T) {
+		vars, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(makeDecl("$FLEET_VAR_HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL"), premiumLic)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Equal(t, []string{"HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL"}, vars)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("supported variable with braces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		vars, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(makeDecl("${FLEET_VAR_HOST_UUID}"), premiumLic)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Equal(t, []string{"HOST_UUID"}, vars)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("multiple supported variables", func(t *testing.T) {
+		vars, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(
+			makeDecl(`["$FLEET_VAR_HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL", "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_END_USER_IDP_USERNAME"]`), premiumLic)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.ElementsMatch(t, []string{"HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL", "HOST_END_USER_IDP_USERNAME"}, vars)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("all supported variables", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Build the declaration content and expected results from the allowed list
+		var jsonVars, expectedVars []string
+		for _, v := range fleetVarsSupportedInDDMDeclarations {
+			jsonVars = append(jsonVars, fmt.Sprintf(`"$FLEET_VAR_%s"`, v))
+			expectedVars = append(expectedVars, string(v))
+		}
+		vars, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(
+			makeDecl("["+strings.Join(jsonVars, ", ")+"]"), premiumLic)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.ElementsMatch(t, expectedVars, vars)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("supported variable without premium license", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(makeDecl("$FLEET_VAR_HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL"), freeLic)
+		require.ErrorIs(t, err, fleet.ErrMissingLicense)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("supported variable with nil license", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(makeDecl("$FLEET_VAR_HOST_UUID"), nil)
+		require.ErrorIs(t, err, fleet.ErrMissingLicense)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unsupported variable", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(makeDecl("$FLEET_VAR_NDES_SCEP_CHALLENGE"), premiumLic)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.ErrorContains(t, err, "Fleet variable $FLEET_VAR_NDES_SCEP_CHALLENGE is not supported in DDM profiles")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("supported and unsupported variables", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(
+			makeDecl(`["$FLEET_VAR_HOST_UUID", "$FLEET_VAR_DIGICERT_DATA_myCA"]`), premiumLic)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.ErrorContains(t, err, "Fleet variable $FLEET_VAR_DIGICERT_DATA_myCA is not supported in DDM profiles")
+	})
+}
+
+func TestJSONEscapeString(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		name     string
+		input    string
+		expected string
+	}{
+		{"plain string", "hello", "hello"},
+		{"with double quotes", `say "hi"`, `say \"hi\"`},
+		{"with backslash", `path\to\file`, `path\\to\\file`},
+		{"with newline", "line1\nline2", `line1\nline2`},
+		{"with tab", "col1\tcol2", `col1\tcol2`},
+		{"empty string", "", ""},
+		{"unicode", "café ☕", "café ☕"},
+		{"control chars", "a\x00b", `a\u0000b`},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.expected, jsonEscapeString(tc.input))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 //go:embed testdata/profiles/digicert-validation.mobileconfig
 var digiCertValidationMobileconfig string
 
diff --git a/server/service/integration_core_test.go b/server/service/integration_core_test.go
index 7b36da0be2..8158d6b5ed 100644
--- a/server/service/integration_core_test.go
+++ b/server/service/integration_core_test.go
@@ -7723,6 +7723,26 @@ func (s *integrationTestSuite) TestPremiumEndpointsWithoutLicense() {
 	createHostAndDeviceToken(t, s.ds, "some-token")
 	s.Do("POST", fmt.Sprintf("/api/v1/fleet/device/%s/migrate_mdm", "some-token"), nil, http.StatusPaymentRequired)
 
+	// uploading a DDM declaration with a Fleet variable returns a license error
+	// (single profile upload endpoint)
+	ddmWithFleetVar := []byte(`{
+		"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+		"Identifier": "com.example.fleetvar-test",
+		"Payload": {"Value": "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL"}
+	}`)
+	body, headers := generateNewProfileMultipartRequest(t, "fleetvar-test.json", ddmWithFleetVar, s.token, nil)
+	res = s.DoRawWithHeaders("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/configuration_profiles", body.Bytes(), http.StatusPaymentRequired, headers)
+	errMsg = extractServerErrorText(res.Body)
+	require.Contains(t, errMsg, "Requires Fleet Premium license")
+
+	// uploading a DDM declaration with a Fleet variable returns a license error
+	// (batch profiles endpoint)
+	res = s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", batchSetMDMProfilesRequest{Profiles: []fleet.MDMProfileBatchPayload{
+		{Name: "N1", Contents: ddmWithFleetVar},
+	}}, http.StatusPaymentRequired)
+	errMsg = extractServerErrorText(res.Body)
+	require.Contains(t, errMsg, "Requires Fleet Premium license")
+
 	// software titles
 	// a normal request works fine
 	var resp listSoftwareTitlesResponse
@@ -15052,7 +15072,7 @@ func (s *integrationTestSuite) TestSecretVariablesInUse() {
 		Name:       "decl-1",
 		RawJSON:    json.RawMessage(`{"Identifier": "${FLEET_SECRET_NAME1}"}`),
 		TeamID:     &foobarTeam.ID,
-	})
+	}, nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	res = s.DoRaw("DELETE", fmt.Sprintf("/api/latest/fleet/custom_variables/%d", firstVariableID), nil, http.StatusConflict)
diff --git a/server/service/integration_mdm_ddm_test.go b/server/service/integration_mdm_ddm_test.go
index deef5c5002..32bd63ab61 100644
--- a/server/service/integration_mdm_ddm_test.go
+++ b/server/service/integration_mdm_ddm_test.go
@@ -1302,6 +1302,569 @@ func (s *integrationMDMTestSuite) TestDDMTransactionRecording() {
 	})
 }
 
+func (s *integrationMDMTestSuite) TestAppleDDMFleetVariables() {
+	t := s.T()
+	ctx := t.Context()
+
+	// === Setup ===
+
+	// Create two MDM-enrolled hosts
+	host1, mdmDevice1 := createHostThenEnrollMDM(s.ds, s.server.URL, t)
+	_, mdmDevice2 := createHostThenEnrollMDM(s.ds, s.server.URL, t)
+
+	// Set host1's serial to a value with characters that need JSON escaping,
+	// to verify that variable substitution produces valid JSON.
+	host1.HardwareSerial = `SER"IAL\123`
+	err := s.ds.UpdateHost(ctx, host1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Create a team and transfer host1 into it; host2 stays global (control)
+	team := &fleet.Team{Name: t.Name() + "team1"}
+	var createTeamResp teamResponse
+	s.DoJSON("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/teams", team, http.StatusOK, &createTeamResp)
+	require.NotZero(t, createTeamResp.Team.ID)
+	team = createTeamResp.Team
+
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/v1/fleet/hosts/transfer",
+		addHostsToTeamRequest{TeamID: &team.ID, HostIDs: []uint{host1.ID}}, http.StatusOK)
+
+	// Helper: read declaration from DB by name
+	getDeclaration := func(t *testing.T, name string) fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration {
+		stmt := `
+SELECT
+	declaration_uuid,
+	team_id,
+	identifier,
+	name,
+	raw_json,
+	HEX(token) as token,
+	created_at,
+	uploaded_at
+FROM mdm_apple_declarations
+WHERE name = ?`
+
+		var decl fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration
+		mysql.ExecAdhocSQL(t, s.ds, func(q sqlx.ExtContext) error {
+			return sqlx.GetContext(ctx, q, &decl, stmt, name)
+		})
+		return decl
+	}
+
+	// Helper: read variables_updated_at for a host/declaration pair
+	getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt := func(t *testing.T, hostUUID, declUUID string) *time.Time {
+		var result []time.Time
+		mysql.ExecAdhocSQL(t, s.ds, func(q sqlx.ExtContext) error {
+			return sqlx.SelectContext(ctx, q, &result,
+				`SELECT variables_updated_at FROM host_mdm_apple_declarations WHERE host_uuid = ? AND declaration_uuid = ? AND variables_updated_at IS NOT NULL`,
+				hostUUID, declUUID)
+		})
+		if len(result) == 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return &result[0]
+	}
+
+	checkNoCommands := func(d *mdmtest.TestAppleMDMClient) {
+		cmd, err := d.Idle()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, cmd)
+	}
+
+	checkDDMSync := func(d *mdmtest.TestAppleMDMClient) {
+		cmd, err := d.Idle()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.NotNil(t, cmd)
+		require.Equal(t, "DeclarativeManagement", cmd.Command.RequestType)
+		cmd, err = d.Acknowledge(cmd.CommandUUID)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, cmd)
+		_, err = d.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	}
+
+	checkDeclarationItemsResp := func(t *testing.T, r fleet.MDMAppleDDMDeclarationItemsResponse, expectedDeclTok string,
+		expectedDeclsByToken map[string]fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration,
+	) {
+		require.Equal(t, expectedDeclTok, r.DeclarationsToken)
+		require.NotEmpty(t, r.Declarations.Activations)
+		require.Empty(t, r.Declarations.Assets)
+		require.Empty(t, r.Declarations.Management)
+		require.Len(t, r.Declarations.Configurations, len(expectedDeclsByToken))
+		for _, m := range r.Declarations.Configurations {
+			d, ok := expectedDeclsByToken[m.ServerToken]
+			require.True(t, ok, "server token %x not found for %s", m.ServerToken, m.Identifier)
+			require.Equal(t, d.Identifier, m.Identifier)
+		}
+	}
+
+	teamIDStr := fmt.Sprintf("%d", team.ID)
+
+	// Declaration payloads
+	declWithUUID := []byte(`{
+	"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+	"Payload": {"Echo": "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_UUID"},
+	"Identifier": "com.fleet.var.uuid"
+}`)
+	declWithSerial := []byte(`{
+	"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+	"Payload": {"Echo": "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL"},
+	"Identifier": "com.fleet.var.serial"
+}`)
+	declPlain := []byte(`{
+	"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+	"Payload": {"Echo": "static-value"},
+	"Identifier": "com.fleet.plain"
+}`)
+
+	// === Failing upload (unsupported variable) ===
+
+	badDecl := []byte(`{
+	"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+	"Payload": {"Echo": "$FLEET_VAR_NDES_SCEP_CHALLENGE"},
+	"Identifier": "com.fleet.bad"
+}`)
+	badReq := batchSetMDMProfilesRequest{Profiles: []fleet.MDMProfileBatchPayload{
+		{Name: "BadDecl.json", Contents: badDecl},
+	}}
+	badRes := s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", badReq, http.StatusBadRequest,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+	errMsg := extractServerErrorText(badRes.Body)
+	require.Contains(t, errMsg, "$FLEET_VAR_NDES_SCEP_CHALLENGE is not supported in DDM")
+
+	// === Upload declarations with and without variables ===
+
+	profilesReq := batchSetMDMProfilesRequest{Profiles: []fleet.MDMProfileBatchPayload{
+		{Name: "VarUUID.json", Contents: declWithUUID},
+		{Name: "VarSerial.json", Contents: declWithSerial},
+		{Name: "Plain.json", Contents: declPlain},
+	}}
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", profilesReq, http.StatusNoContent,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+
+	// Verify raw JSON stored as-is (variables not expanded in storage)
+	dbDeclUUID := getDeclaration(t, "VarUUID.json")
+	assert.Contains(t, string(dbDeclUUID.RawJSON), "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_UUID")
+	dbDeclSerial := getDeclaration(t, "VarSerial.json")
+	assert.Contains(t, string(dbDeclSerial.RawJSON), "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_HARDWARE_SERIAL")
+	dbDeclPlain := getDeclaration(t, "Plain.json")
+	assert.Contains(t, string(dbDeclPlain.RawJSON), "static-value")
+
+	// === First sync — verify variable substitution ===
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	// Host1 fetches tokens
+	r, err := mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens := parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	lastSyncDeclToken := tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken
+	require.NotEmpty(t, lastSyncDeclToken)
+
+	// Fetch individual declarations and verify substitution
+	var gotParsed fleet.MDMAppleDDMDeclarationResponse
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration/configuration/com.fleet.var.uuid")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotParsed))
+	assert.Contains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), host1.UUID)
+	assert.NotContains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), "$FLEET_VAR")
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration/configuration/com.fleet.var.serial")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotParsed))
+	assert.NotContains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), "$FLEET_VAR")
+	// Verify the serial (which contains " and \) is properly JSON-escaped:
+	// the payload must be valid JSON and unmarshal to the original value.
+	var serialPayload struct{ Echo string }
+	require.NoError(t, json.Unmarshal(gotParsed.Payload, &serialPayload))
+	assert.Equal(t, host1.HardwareSerial, serialPayload.Echo)
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration/configuration/com.fleet.plain")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotParsed))
+	assert.Contains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), "static-value")
+
+	// Verify variables_updated_at: set for variable decls, nil for plain
+	varsUpdatedUUID := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedUUID)
+	varsUpdatedSerial := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedSerial)
+	varsUpdatedPlain := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclPlain.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.Nil(t, varsUpdatedPlain)
+
+	// Build expected declaration-items map with effective tokens (incorporating variables_updated_at)
+	declsByToken := map[string]fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration{
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclUUID.Token, varsUpdatedUUID):     {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.uuid"},
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclSerial.Token, varsUpdatedSerial): {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.serial"},
+		dbDeclPlain.Token: {Identifier: "com.fleet.plain"},
+	}
+
+	// Host1 fetches declaration items
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration-items")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	itemsResp := parseDeclarationItemsResp(t, r)
+	checkDeclarationItemsResp(t, itemsResp, lastSyncDeclToken, declsByToken)
+
+	// === No resend when unrelated declaration added ===
+
+	newDecl := []byte(`{
+	"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+	"Payload": {"Echo": "new-stuff"},
+	"Identifier": "com.fleet.new"
+}`)
+	profilesReqWithNew := batchSetMDMProfilesRequest{Profiles: []fleet.MDMProfileBatchPayload{
+		{Name: "VarUUID.json", Contents: declWithUUID},
+		{Name: "VarSerial.json", Contents: declWithSerial},
+		{Name: "Plain.json", Contents: declPlain},
+		{Name: "NewDecl.json", Contents: newDecl},
+	}}
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", profilesReqWithNew, http.StatusNoContent,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+
+	dbNewDecl := getDeclaration(t, "NewDecl.json")
+	assert.Contains(t, string(dbNewDecl.RawJSON), "new-stuff")
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	// Host1 gets DDM sync (declaration set changed), host2 nothing
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens = parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	lastSyncDeclToken = tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken
+	require.NotEmpty(t, lastSyncDeclToken)
+
+	declsByToken = map[string]fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration{
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclUUID.Token, varsUpdatedUUID):     {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.uuid"},
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclSerial.Token, varsUpdatedSerial): {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.serial"},
+		dbDeclPlain.Token: {Identifier: "com.fleet.plain"},
+		dbNewDecl.Token:   {Identifier: "com.fleet.new"},
+	}
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration-items")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	itemsResp = parseDeclarationItemsResp(t, r)
+	checkDeclarationItemsResp(t, itemsResp, lastSyncDeclToken, declsByToken)
+
+	// variables_updated_at did NOT change for existing variable declarations
+	varsUpdatedUUIDAfterAdd := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedUUIDAfterAdd)
+	assert.Equal(t, *varsUpdatedUUID, *varsUpdatedUUIDAfterAdd)
+	varsUpdatedSerialAfterAdd := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedSerialAfterAdd)
+	assert.Equal(t, *varsUpdatedSerial, *varsUpdatedSerialAfterAdd)
+
+	// === No resend when unrelated declaration deleted ===
+
+	// new decl is not in profilesReq, so it will be deleted
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", profilesReq, http.StatusNoContent,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	// Host1 gets DDM sync (declaration set changed), host2 nothing
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	declsByToken = map[string]fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration{
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclUUID.Token, varsUpdatedUUID):     {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.uuid"},
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclSerial.Token, varsUpdatedSerial): {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.serial"},
+		dbDeclPlain.Token: {Identifier: "com.fleet.plain"},
+	}
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens = parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	lastSyncDeclToken = tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken
+	require.NotEmpty(t, lastSyncDeclToken)
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration-items")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	itemsResp = parseDeclarationItemsResp(t, r)
+	checkDeclarationItemsResp(t, itemsResp, lastSyncDeclToken, declsByToken)
+
+	// variables_updated_at still unchanged
+	varsUpdatedUUIDAfterDel := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedUUIDAfterDel)
+	assert.Equal(t, *varsUpdatedUUID, *varsUpdatedUUIDAfterDel)
+	varsUpdatedSerialAfterDel := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedSerialAfterDel)
+	assert.Equal(t, *varsUpdatedSerial, *varsUpdatedSerialAfterDel)
+
+	// === No resend on no-op GitOps batch upload ===
+
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", profilesReq, http.StatusNoContent,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	// No commands for either host — nothing changed
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	// Token unchanged
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens = parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	assert.Equal(t, lastSyncDeclToken, tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken)
+
+	// === Resend when variable values change ===
+
+	// Simulate variable value change: set status = NULL on variable declarations.
+	// This is the same operation triggerResendProfilesUsingVariables performs.
+	mysql.ExecAdhocSQL(t, s.ds, func(q sqlx.ExtContext) error {
+		_, err := q.ExecContext(ctx,
+			`UPDATE host_mdm_apple_declarations SET status = NULL
+			 WHERE host_uuid = ? AND declaration_uuid IN (?, ?)`,
+			host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID,
+		)
+		return err
+	})
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	// Host1 gets DDM sync, host2 nothing
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	// variables_updated_at for variable declarations was updated (newer)
+	varsUpdatedUUIDAfterChange := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedUUIDAfterChange)
+	assert.True(t, varsUpdatedUUIDAfterChange.After(*varsUpdatedUUID),
+		"variables_updated_at should be newer after variable change, got %v vs original %v", varsUpdatedUUIDAfterChange, varsUpdatedUUID)
+	varsUpdatedSerialAfterChange := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedSerialAfterChange)
+	assert.True(t, varsUpdatedSerialAfterChange.After(*varsUpdatedSerial),
+		"variables_updated_at should be newer after variable change, got %v vs original %v", varsUpdatedSerialAfterChange, varsUpdatedSerial)
+
+	// Plain declaration's variables_updated_at is still nil
+	varsUpdatedPlainAfterChange := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclPlain.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.Nil(t, varsUpdatedPlainAfterChange)
+
+	// Token changed
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens = parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	assert.NotEqual(t, lastSyncDeclToken, tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken)
+
+	// Variables still substituted correctly
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration/configuration/com.fleet.var.uuid")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotParsed))
+	assert.Contains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), host1.UUID)
+
+	// === Variable change on one host does not resend to teammate ===
+
+	// Create a third host on the same team as host1
+	host3, mdmDevice3 := createHostThenEnrollMDM(s.ds, s.server.URL, t)
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/v1/fleet/hosts/transfer",
+		addHostsToTeamRequest{TeamID: &team.ID, HostIDs: []uint{host3.ID}}, http.StatusOK)
+
+	// Let host3 complete its initial DDM sync
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice3)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	// Record host3's variables_updated_at after initial sync
+	host3InitVarsUpdatedUUID := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, host3InitVarsUpdatedUUID)
+	host3InitVarsUpdatedSerial := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, host3InitVarsUpdatedSerial)
+
+	// Verify stable state: no-op batch upload triggers no commands for anyone
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", profilesReq, http.StatusNoContent,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice3)
+
+	// Simulate variable change for host1 only
+	mysql.ExecAdhocSQL(t, s.ds, func(q sqlx.ExtContext) error {
+		_, err := q.ExecContext(ctx,
+			`UPDATE host_mdm_apple_declarations SET status = NULL
+			 WHERE host_uuid = ? AND declaration_uuid IN (?, ?)`,
+			host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID,
+		)
+		return err
+	})
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	// Only host1 gets DDM sync; host3 (same team) and host2 (global) do not
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice3)
+
+	// Verify host3's variables_updated_at was not changed by host1's resend
+	varsUpdatedUUIDHost3 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedUUIDHost3)
+	assert.Equal(t, *host3InitVarsUpdatedUUID, *varsUpdatedUUIDHost3)
+	varsUpdatedSerialHost3 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedSerialHost3)
+	assert.Equal(t, *host3InitVarsUpdatedSerial, *varsUpdatedSerialHost3)
+
+	// host3 fetches its own declarations — variables are correctly substituted
+	// with host3's own values
+	r, err = mdmDevice3.DeclarativeManagement("declaration/configuration/com.fleet.var.uuid")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotParsed))
+	assert.Contains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), host3.UUID)
+	assert.NotContains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), host1.UUID)
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice3.DeclarativeManagement("declaration/configuration/com.fleet.var.serial")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotParsed))
+	assert.Contains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), host3.HardwareSerial)
+	assert.NotContains(t, string(gotParsed.Payload), host1.HardwareSerial)
+
+	// === Failed variable resolution (no IdP user for host) ===
+
+	declWithIdpUsername := []byte(`{
+	"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+	"Payload": {"Echo": "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_END_USER_IDP_USERNAME"},
+	"Identifier": "com.fleet.var.idpusername"
+}`)
+	profilesReqWithIdp := batchSetMDMProfilesRequest{Profiles: []fleet.MDMProfileBatchPayload{
+		{Name: "VarUUID.json", Contents: declWithUUID},
+		{Name: "VarSerial.json", Contents: declWithSerial},
+		{Name: "Plain.json", Contents: declPlain},
+		{Name: "VarIdpUsername.json", Contents: declWithIdpUsername},
+	}}
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", profilesReqWithIdp, http.StatusNoContent,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+
+	dbDeclIdpUsername := getDeclaration(t, "VarIdpUsername.json")
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	// Host1 gets DDM sync (declaration set changed)
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice1)
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens = parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	lastSyncDeclToken = tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken
+	require.NotEmpty(t, lastSyncDeclToken)
+
+	// Get current variables_updated_at for host1's declarations (may have changed since earlier captures)
+	latestVarsUpdatedUUID := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	latestVarsUpdatedSerial := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	latestVarsUpdatedIdp := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclIdpUsername.DeclarationUUID)
+
+	declsByToken = map[string]fleet.MDMAppleDeclaration{
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclUUID.Token, latestVarsUpdatedUUID):     {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.uuid"},
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclSerial.Token, latestVarsUpdatedSerial): {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.serial"},
+		dbDeclPlain.Token: {Identifier: "com.fleet.plain"},
+		fleet.EffectiveDDMToken(dbDeclIdpUsername.Token, latestVarsUpdatedIdp): {Identifier: "com.fleet.var.idpusername"},
+	}
+
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration-items")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	itemsResp = parseDeclarationItemsResp(t, r)
+	checkDeclarationItemsResp(t, itemsResp, lastSyncDeclToken, declsByToken)
+
+	// Host1 fetches the IdP username declaration — variable resolution fails
+	// because no IdP user exists for the host. The server returns an empty 200
+	// and marks the declaration as failed.
+	_, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("declaration/configuration/com.fleet.var.idpusername")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Verify the declaration is marked as failed with the expected detail message
+	var hostDecl fleet.MDMAppleHostDeclaration
+	mysql.ExecAdhocSQL(t, s.ds, func(q sqlx.ExtContext) error {
+		return sqlx.GetContext(ctx, q, &hostDecl,
+			`SELECT status, detail FROM host_mdm_apple_declarations WHERE host_uuid = ? AND declaration_uuid = ?`,
+			host1.UUID, dbDeclIdpUsername.DeclarationUUID)
+	})
+	require.NotNil(t, hostDecl.Status)
+	assert.Equal(t, fleet.MDMDeliveryFailed, *hostDecl.Status)
+	assert.Contains(t, hostDecl.Detail, "There is no IdP username for this host")
+	assert.Contains(t, hostDecl.Detail, "$FLEET_VAR_HOST_END_USER_IDP_USERNAME")
+
+	// === Updating variable declaration to non-variable clears variables_updated_at ===
+
+	// Drain host3's pending DDM sync from the IdP batch upload above
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice3)
+
+	// Capture current token for comparison
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens = parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	lastSyncDeclToken = tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken
+	require.NotEmpty(t, lastSyncDeclToken)
+
+	// Verify variables_updated_at is non-nil for VarUUID and VarSerial on both team hosts
+	preVarsUpdatedUUIDHost1 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, preVarsUpdatedUUIDHost1)
+	preVarsUpdatedUUIDHost3 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, preVarsUpdatedUUIDHost3)
+	preVarsUpdatedSerialHost1 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, preVarsUpdatedSerialHost1)
+	preVarsUpdatedSerialHost3 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, preVarsUpdatedSerialHost3)
+
+	// Update VarUUID.json to remove the variable (same name/identifier, static content)
+	declUUIDNowStatic := []byte(`{
+	"Type": "com.apple.configuration.management.test",
+	"Payload": {"Echo": "static-uuid-replacement"},
+	"Identifier": "com.fleet.var.uuid"
+}`)
+	profilesReqVarRemoved := batchSetMDMProfilesRequest{Profiles: []fleet.MDMProfileBatchPayload{
+		{Name: "VarUUID.json", Contents: declUUIDNowStatic},
+		{Name: "VarSerial.json", Contents: declWithSerial},
+		{Name: "Plain.json", Contents: declPlain},
+		{Name: "VarIdpUsername.json", Contents: declWithIdpUsername},
+	}}
+	s.Do("POST", "/api/latest/fleet/mdm/profiles/batch", profilesReqVarRemoved, http.StatusNoContent,
+		"team_id", teamIDStr)
+
+	// Re-read the declaration from DB — content and token should have changed
+	dbDeclUUIDUpdated := getDeclaration(t, "VarUUID.json")
+	assert.Contains(t, string(dbDeclUUIDUpdated.RawJSON), "static-uuid-replacement")
+	assert.NotContains(t, string(dbDeclUUIDUpdated.RawJSON), "$FLEET_VAR")
+	assert.NotEqual(t, dbDeclUUID.Token, dbDeclUUIDUpdated.Token)
+	// Declaration UUID stays the same (updated in place)
+	assert.Equal(t, dbDeclUUID.DeclarationUUID, dbDeclUUIDUpdated.DeclarationUUID)
+
+	s.awaitTriggerProfileSchedule(t)
+
+	// Both team hosts get DDM sync (declaration content changed)
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice1)
+	checkDDMSync(mdmDevice3)
+	// Global host gets nothing
+	checkNoCommands(mdmDevice2)
+
+	// Token changed (declaration requires re-delivery)
+	r, err = mdmDevice1.DeclarativeManagement("tokens")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	tokens = parseTokensResp(t, r)
+	assert.NotEqual(t, lastSyncDeclToken, tokens.SyncTokens.DeclarationsToken)
+
+	// variables_updated_at for VarUUID.json is now NULL (no more variables)
+	varsUpdatedUUIDAfterRemoval := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclUUIDUpdated.DeclarationUUID)
+	assert.Nil(t, varsUpdatedUUIDAfterRemoval, "variables_updated_at should be NULL after removing variable from declaration (host1)")
+
+	varsUpdatedUUIDAfterRemovalHost3 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclUUIDUpdated.DeclarationUUID)
+	assert.Nil(t, varsUpdatedUUIDAfterRemovalHost3, "variables_updated_at should be NULL after removing variable from declaration (host3)")
+
+	// VarSerial.json still has variables — variables_updated_at unchanged on both hosts
+	varsUpdatedSerialAfterRemoval := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host1.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedSerialAfterRemoval)
+	assert.Equal(t, *preVarsUpdatedSerialHost1, *varsUpdatedSerialAfterRemoval, "VarSerial variables_updated_at should be unchanged on host1")
+	varsUpdatedSerialAfterRemovalHost3 := getHostDeclVarsUpdatedAt(t, host3.UUID, dbDeclSerial.DeclarationUUID)
+	require.NotNil(t, varsUpdatedSerialAfterRemovalHost3)
+	assert.Equal(t, *preVarsUpdatedSerialHost3, *varsUpdatedSerialAfterRemovalHost3, "VarSerial variables_updated_at should be unchanged on host3")
+}
+
 func declarationForTest(identifier string) []byte {
 	return []byte(fmt.Sprintf(`
 {
diff --git a/server/service/mdm.go b/server/service/mdm.go
index 6c37a4da54..177a04d240 100644
--- a/server/service/mdm.go
+++ b/server/service/mdm.go
@@ -2293,23 +2293,30 @@ func validateFleetVariables(ctx context.Context, ds fleet.Datastore, appConfig *
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "validating config profile Fleet variables")
 		}
-		profileVarsByProfIdentifier[p.Identifier] = profileVars
+		profileVarsByProfIdentifier[fleet.MDMAppleProfileUUIDPrefix+p.Identifier] = profileVars
 	}
 	for _, p := range windowsProfiles {
 		windowsVars, err := validateWindowsProfileFleetVariables(string(p.SyncML), lic, groupedCAs)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "validating Windows profile Fleet variables")
 		}
-		// Collect Fleet variables for Windows profiles (use unique Name as identifier for Windows)
 		if len(windowsVars) > 0 {
-			profileVarsByProfIdentifier[p.Name] = windowsVars
+			profileVarsByProfIdentifier[fleet.MDMWindowsProfileUUIDPrefix+p.Name] = windowsVars
 		}
 	}
 	for _, p := range appleDecls {
-		err = validateDeclarationFleetVariables(string(p.RawJSON))
+		declVars, err := validateDeclarationFleetVariables(string(p.RawJSON), lic)
 		if err != nil {
+			var badReqErr *fleet.BadRequestError
+			if errors.As(err, &badReqErr) {
+				badReqErr.Message = "Couldn't set profile. " + badReqErr.Message
+				err = badReqErr
+			}
 			return nil, ctxerr.Wrap(ctx, err, "validating declaration Fleet variables")
 		}
+		if len(declVars) > 0 {
+			profileVarsByProfIdentifier[fleet.MDMAppleDeclarationUUIDPrefix+p.Identifier] = declVars
+		}
 	}
 	return profileVarsByProfIdentifier, nil
 }