Azure SQL Data Sync Blocked for New Deployments

Microsoft is phasing out Azure SQL Data Sync, a service used for synchronizing databases across different locations. New deployments are no longer allowed in subscriptions that have never used the service, which started on September 9. The full shutdown is scheduled for September 30, 2027.

Azure SQL Data Sync uses a hub-and-spoke model to synchronize data between an Azure SQL database and other databases, both online and offline. Microsoft has announced alternatives such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Functions, read replicas, linked servers, database mirroring, availability groups, and transactional replication, but noted that there is no direct replacement for every configuration.

Existing users have until September 30, 2027 to migrate their databases before the service is shut down. Microsoft acknowledged that customers will need to choose among several possible replacements, citing evolving operational, security, and compliance requirements as the reason for retirement.