Microsoft Phases Out SharePoint Alerts: What You Need to Know
In a significant shift, Microsoft has announced the retirement of the SharePoint Alerts feature, a once-indispensable tool for users seeking automatic notifications via email or SMS regarding updates on SharePoint sites, libraries, or lists. This decision aligns with recent strategic changes by Microsoft, including the removal of the password manager from the Authenticator app, which signals a push towards utilizing built-in features in Edge.
Transitioning to New Notification Solutions
To mitigate the impact of this transition, Microsoft is encouraging users to adopt alternatives such as Power Automate and SharePoint Rules for notification requirements. Although SharePoint Rules differ from Alerts, being primarily geared towards automating specific actions within lists, they can be adapted for particular notification scenarios.
Retirement Timeline
The phased retirement of SharePoint Alerts is set to unfold over the next two years with the following schedule:
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| From July 2025 | Gradual discontinuation of new SharePoint Alerts for newly created tenants. |
| From September 2025 | Staged removal of new SharePoint Alerts for all tenants. |
| From October 2025 | Activation of SharePoint Alert expiration, where alerts will be valid for 30 days from initial activation. Users can extend these alerts for an additional 30 days through the “Manage my alerts” menu. |
| From July 2026 | Complete removal of SharePoint Alerts functionality; existing alerts will become inactive and cannot be extended. |
Preparing for the Transition
Organizations should proactively prepare for this change by updating training materials and equipping help desk teams to assist users throughout the transition process. Current SharePoint Alert users will receive notifications on relevant SharePoint pages as well as within alert emails, providing information on the retirement timeline and specific expiration dates starting from October 2025.
Utilizing Microsoft 365 Assessment Tool
To identify existing usage patterns and strategically plan for the migration, Microsoft recommends employing the Microsoft 365 Assessment tool. This tool enables tenants to generate reports detailing where SharePoint Alerts are currently configured. Additionally, Microsoft is working on reference samples to assist users in transitioning to Power Automate for their notification needs.
For further details, please refer to the original announcement by Microsoft here.
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