timetobail
My stack

Microsoft Entra ID · Forced move · Tracked since October 13, 2026 · Sources checked Oct 13

Time to bail on SMS and voice codes for Microsoft Entra sign-in?

Time to Bail · Boarding pass

FromSMS and voice codes for Microsoft Entra sign-in
ToYour pick

Act. You can stay.

Microsoft stops its own SMS and voice codes on February 1, 2027. Move users to passkeys first.[1]

Act means: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.

Gate closes
Most users
Time left
108days
Status
Act

Microsoft Entra stops SMS and voice sign-in codes on February 1, 2027

Microsoft Entra stops sending SMS and voice codes itself from February 1, 2027. Admins and external users follow on July 1, 2027. Users who only have SMS or voice must register a passkey at sign-in.

How it is winding down

  1. Sep 1, 2026Passkeys became the defaultDone
  2. Feb 1Most usersNext
  3. Jul 1Global Administrators and external users

What to do before February 1

Tick steps as you go. Your progress stays in this browser.

  1. Find users on SMS and voice

    Use the PowerShell script on the Microsoft page to list users whose sign-in uses SMS or voice.

  2. Run a passkey campaign

    In Entra ID, open Authentication methods > Registration campaign and set it to Microsoft Managed.

  3. Tell people what to expect

    Explain that a passkey prompt will block sign-in until they add one. Start with admins.

Facts we checked

Facts and their sources
Most usersFebruary 1, 2027[1]
Global Administrators and external usersJuly 1, 2027[1]
Internal guest usersFollow the February 1, 2027 date[1]
Passkeys became the defaultSeptember 1, 2026, for users enabled for SMS or voice[1]
If a user only has SMS or voiceThey must register a passkey during sign-in; the prompt blocks until they do[1]
Can you opt out?No opt-out from the enforcement[1]
Microsoft's suggested methodsPasskeys, Windows Hello or FIDO2 keys[1]
Still need SMS or voice?Pick a telephony provider in Microsoft Security Store, from October 30, 2026[1]
Self-service password resetAlso affected[2]
WherePublic cloud only; Azure AD B2C is not affected[2]
Users who sign in with SMS or voice codesMust register a passkey from February 1, 2027[1]

Sources

Check it yourself. Every fact above links here.

  1. Retirement of SMS and voice authentication Microsoft · primary · checked Oct 13
  2. SMS and voice retirement FAQ Microsoft · primary · checked Oct 13
Read the published editorial report

What changed

Time to bail on SMS and voice codes for Microsoft Entra sign-in? Act. You can stay. Microsoft stops its own SMS and voice codes on February 1, 2027. Move users to passkeys first.

On our scale this is Act: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.

Microsoft Entra stops sending SMS and voice codes itself from February 1, 2027. Admins and external users follow on July 1, 2027. Users who only have SMS or voice must register a passkey at sign-in.

Here are the facts we checked:

  • Most users: February 1, 2027 (Microsoft)
  • Global Administrators and external users: July 1, 2027 (Microsoft)
  • Internal guest users: Follow the February 1, 2027 date (Microsoft)
  • Passkeys became the default: September 1, 2026, for users enabled for SMS or voice (Microsoft)
  • If a user only has SMS or voice: They must register a passkey during sign-in; the prompt blocks until they do (Microsoft)
  • Can you opt out?: No opt-out from the enforcement (Microsoft)
  • Microsoft's suggested methods: Passkeys, Windows Hello or FIDO2 keys (Microsoft)
  • Still need SMS or voice?: Pick a telephony provider in Microsoft Security Store, from October 30, 2026 (Microsoft)
  • Self-service password reset: Also affected (Microsoft)
  • Where: Public cloud only; Azure AD B2C is not affected (Microsoft)
  • Users who sign in with SMS or voice codes: Must register a passkey from February 1, 2027 (Microsoft)

You can stay on Microsoft Entra ID. You have to change a setting or plan before the date.

Leaving is a choice here, not a must.

Microsoft is the main source for this page. Microsoft Entra ID has not said more than what is listed here. If a fact is not on this page, we do not know it yet.

Who is affected

Users who sign in with SMS or voice codes: Must register a passkey from February 1, 2027.

The date to remember is February 1, 2027. Make the change before then.

What to do before February 1

  1. Find users on SMS and voice. Use the PowerShell script on the Microsoft page to list users whose sign-in uses SMS or voice.
  2. Run a passkey campaign. In Entra ID, open Authentication methods > Registration campaign and set it to Microsoft Managed.
  3. Tell people what to expect. Explain that a passkey prompt will block sign-in until they add one. Start with admins.

A few tips:

  • Make the change yourself before the date. Do not wait for the last reminder email.
  • Write down your current plan or settings first, so you can compare after the change.
  • After the change, open your settings again and check that it worked.

How to tell your users

If the change affects your members or team, send one short email. Say what changes for them and when. Put the most important line first.

If there is a date, send a short reminder a few days before it. Keep a copy of the list you sent it to.

Options people mention

Listed for convenience. Not ranked. Not paid. These names come up in threads and reviews; that does not show where people moved.

Before you pay, check the price page of each tool yourself. Prices change, and we only list what our sources say.

Questions people ask

No questions collected yet.

Sources

Thanks.

Did this answer your question?

Run SaaS spend at work? Get these changes before the invoice

Arrivals · for builders

Building where they land?

People on SMS and voice codes for Microsoft Entra sign-in can stay if they make the change. Some would rather leave. Get the playbook for this change, and list your product here.

Listing is free. An editor checks it. Not ranked. Not paid.

Open the playbookList your product