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Microsoft Entra ID began rolling out passkeys as the default authentication experience on September 1, 2026. Users enabled for SMS or voice are automatically enabled for passkeys and prompted to register at their next multifactor authentication (MFA) sign-in. Microsoft plans to end its own SMS and voice delivery on February 1, 2027; organizations that still need those methods must configure a supported telecom provider through the Microsoft Security Store.
The dates announced so far apply to Entra ID public cloud, and other cloud environments have separate timelines. Microsoft has said SMS and voice have served billions of users, but its announcement does not verify that more than one billion users are affected by this change.
What is changing in Microsoft Entra ID?
This is a phased change to the default sign-in experience, not an immediate universal ban on SMS or voice MFA. Microsoft began the rollout on September 1, 2026. Users enabled for either method are automatically enabled for passkeys and prompted to register one when they next sign in using MFA. Microsoft’s July 13, 2026 announcement describes the rollout and its security rationale.
Separately, Microsoft-provided SMS and voice delivery is scheduled to end on February 1, 2027. After that date, the announcement says users still relying on SMS or voice for MFA will have to register a passkey before they can sign in. Passkey registration prompts will be enforced across tenants, with no opt-out, according to Microsoft.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
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Microsoft’s timeline for SMS and voice retirement
| Date | What Microsoft says will happen |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2026 | Passkey default-experience rollout begins. Users enabled for SMS or voice are automatically enabled for passkeys and prompted to register during an MFA sign-in. |
| September 18, 2026 | Microsoft said it would share provider information, deployment guidance, and technical documentation covering pricing and commercial terms. The cited sources do not independently verify the complete provider list or current terms. |
| October 30, 2026 | Microsoft said administrators would be able to select and configure supported telecom providers through the Security Store. This date is still in the future as of October 4, 2026. |
| February 1, 2027 | Microsoft-provided SMS and voice delivery ends. Organizations that need those methods must configure a supported provider before then. |
| After February 1, 2027 | Users still using SMS or voice for MFA must register a passkey before sign-in; Microsoft says prompts will be enforced across tenants with no opt-out. |
These dates are for Entra ID public cloud. Microsoft says other cloud environments have separate timelines, so administrators should not apply the public-cloud schedule to them without checking the relevant guidance. Microsoft’s authentication methods documentation is the official place to review method guidance.
What administrators should do before February 2027
Microsoft advises organizations to find users who still rely on SMS or voice, review their authentication method policy, prepare users for the passkey prompts, and pilot a provider configuration if a telecom option remains necessary. The specific provider list and commercial terms can change; verify current details in Microsoft’s Security Store and documentation before planning deployment.
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
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- Identify reliance: determine which users still use SMS or voice for MFA and whether they have a workable passkey registration path.
- Review policy: check authentication method policy and user workflows so the transition does not leave users unable to complete MFA.
- Prepare and pilot: explain the registration prompt to users and test passkey use, recovery, and support procedures with a representative group.
- Decide whether telecom delivery is still necessary: if so, select and configure a supported provider through the Security Store when that option becomes available to administrators, and account for possible provider charges.
Microsoft’s Learn FAQ confirms that users in scope cannot continue SMS or voice MFA if a provider has not been configured. Consult the live FAQ for Microsoft-provided SMS and voice retirement for current operational scope and exceptions before making tenant-specific changes.
Passkeys, security keys, and telecom alternatives
Microsoft recommends passkeys or another phishing-resistant method. Its stated rationale is that SMS and voice depend on shared secrets or channels that attackers can intercept, phish, or manipulate, while passkeys use public-key cryptography. Microsoft’s July 13 announcement characterizes passkeys as phishing-resistant by design and says they are available at no additional cost for most organizations.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
A passkey is not the same as a requirement to buy a hardware key. Microsoft names passkeys, Entra passkeys on Windows, and FIDO2 security keys as examples of phishing-resistant methods. A FIDO2 key is an optional physical-device route; Microsoft’s announcement does not require a purchased key or verify the price, compatibility, or availability of any individual model. For organizations retaining SMS or voice because of regulatory, technical, or business needs, Microsoft describes configuring a third-party telecom provider through the Security Store. Customer telecom charges may apply.
Choose an approach based on phishing resistance, device and workflow compatibility, recovery and support needs, applicable regulatory or operational constraints, the organization’s cloud environment, and any provider charges. Microsoft has not published comparative performance results for particular key models or carriers in the cited announcement.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Does the change affect more than one billion users?
Microsoft’s July 13, 2026 announcement does not give a verified count of people affected by the passkey rollout. It says SMS and voice have served billions of users, which describes their historical reach—not the number who will be affected by this transition. The headline figure “Over 1 Billion Users” should therefore not be treated as a confirmed affected-user total.
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- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
