{
  "id": 6604672,
  "title": "Azure SQL Data Sync stops taking newcomers before 2027 execution",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/azure-sql-data-sync-stops-taking-newcomers-before-2027-execution-6604672",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-10T14:47:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register",
    "slug": "the-register",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/databases/2026/09/10/azure-sql-data-sync-stops-taking-newcomers-before-2027-execution/5295579"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft has concluded the final stage of deactivating Azure SQL Data Sync, prohibiting new implementations in subscriptions that have never utilized the service. The restriction became effective on September 9, coinciding with the service's scheduled shutdown on September 30, 2027. Existing subscribers can still create, alter, and manage sync groups and affiliated databases until the retirement. All other subscriptions are precluded from adopting the service. The service operates using a hub-and-spoke model, where an Azure SQL database functions as the central hub, with other databases joining its synchronization group. These members can be Azure SQL databases or on-premises SQL Server databases, necessitating a sync agent. A conflict resolution policy dictates whether the hub or member database prevails when discrepancies arise. SQL Data Sync accommodates scenarios involving hybrid environments, where applications and databases are distributed between local infrastructure and Azure, as well as geographically dispersed applications. Microsoft acknowledged the need for customers to select from various potential replacements, offering minimal technical insight into the retirement, citing evolving operational, security, and compliance requirements. Microsoft announced the retirement two years prior, but imposing a ban on first-time deployments provides additional motivation for customers to commence planning their transition. Microsoft lists alternatives such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Functions, read replicas, linked servers, database mirroring, availability groups, and transactional replication. Nevertheless, it emphasized that there is no single replacement suitable for every SQL Data Sync configuration. Existing users have a little over a year to migrate before the ultimate cutoff. Those lacking a migration plan will require one before the service ceases operations.",
  "summary": "Existing customers can carry on for now, but Microsoft offers no like-for-like successor",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register Science",
        "title": "Azure SQL Data Sync stops taking newcomers before 2027 execution",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/azure-sql-data-sync-stops-taking-newcomers-before-2027-execution",
        "published": "2026-09-10T14:47:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}