Microsoft has entered the final phase of retiring Azure SQL Data Sync, now blocking any subscription that has never used the service from starting to do so. This matters because it leaves customers who haven't yet begun migrating with a shrinking window to plan a move, and Microsoft has not designated a direct successor, instead pointing to a patchwork of alternative tools.

The block on new deployments took effect on 9 September, while the service itself is due to shut down completely on 30 September 2027. Existing users can keep creating and managing sync groups until then, but Microsoft offers no single like-for-like replacement, instead listing options such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Functions, read replicas, linked servers, database mirroring, availability groups and transactional replication, warning that none maps to every configuration. The retirement was first announced two years ago, citing evolving "operational, security, and compliance requirements," and existing customers now have just over a year left to complete their migration.