MC1197103: Exchange Online ActiveSync device support update
Starting March 1, 2026, devices using Exchange ActiveSync versions below 16.1 cannot connect to Exchange Online. Organizations must update mobile devices and apps to EAS 16.1 or higher. Outlook Mobile and Exchange Server are unaffected. Admins can identify outdated devices via PowerShell and shou...
Exchange Online ActiveSync Device Support Update
We’re making a change to improve security and reliability in Exchange Online. Starting March 1, 2026, devices using Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) versions lower than 16.1 will no longer be able to connect to Exchange Online. EAS 16.1 was introduced in June 2016 and provides enhanced compatibility and security.
When this will happen:
This change begins taking effect on March 1, 2026.
How this affects your organization:
Who is affected: Organizations using mobile devices with native email apps to access Exchange Online mailboxes via EAS protocol. Apple devices added support for EAS 16.1 in iOS 10 and are unlikely to be affected. The Gmail app and Samsung Mail will have updated versions available before the deadline. For other apps you should contact your device or application vendor if they are using EAS versions lower than 16.1.
What will happen:
- Devices running EAS versions lower than 16.1 will no longer connect to Exchange Online.
- Devices using Outlook Mobile are not impacted because they do not use EAS.
- This change applies only to Exchange Online, not Exchange Server.
What you can do to prepare:
- Verify that all mobile devices and applications are updated to EAS version 16.1 or higher before March 1, 2026.
- Admins can generate a report of devices using older EAS versions with the following PowerShell command:
Get-MobileDevice | Where-Object {($_.ClientType -eq 'EAS' -or $_.ClientType -match 'ActiveSync') -and $_.ClientVersion -and ([version]$_.ClientVersion -lt [version]'16.1')} | Sort-Object UserDisplayName | Select-Object UserDisplayName, UserPrincipalName, DeviceId, DeviceModel
- Communicate this change to your helpdesk and end users and ask them to update if possible.
- Update internal documentation as needed.
- For assistance, contact your device or application vendor.
- Learn more: Exchange ActiveSync in Exchange Online
Compliance considerations:
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.