Azure ACS retirement in Microsoft 365

Originally posted by Microsoft Nov 30, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments

Since the first use of Azure ACS (Access Control Services) by SharePoint in 2013, Microsoft has evolved the authorization and authentication options for SharePoint Online via Microsoft Entra ID (a.k.a. Azure AD). Using Microsoft Entra ID as auth platform for your SharePoint Online customizations will provide your applications the most secure, compliant and future proof model. With our continued investment in Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft is retiring the use of Azure ACS as auth platform for SharePoint Online.

Key Points:

• Major: Retirement
• Timeline:
  • Starting November 1st, 2024, new tenants will not be able use Azure ACS.
  • Starting April 2nd, 2026, Microsoft will remove the ability use SharePoint ACS for existing tenants.
• Action: Review and assess impact

How this will affect your organization

If your organization still uses Azure ACS to grant custom developed or third party applications access to SharePoint Online, they will no longer have access after April 2nd, 2026. We recommend customers to update their customizations to use Microsoft Entra ID and ask their solution vendors to do the same.

What you need to do to prepare

You will want to notify your Azure ACS users and developers. Update your user training and prepare your help desk.

For admins

• Use the Microsoft 365 Assessment tool to scan your tenants for Azure ACS usage.
• Review the guidance for migrating from Azure ACS to Microsoft Entra ID.
• There will not be an option to extend Azure ACS usage for SharePoint Online beyond April 2nd 2026.

Learn more

• Support update for the retirement of Azure ACS for SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365.

Message ID: MC693863