MC1124558 – (Updated) Microsoft Entra: Cross-cloud synchronization now available

Product:

Entra, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft Graph

Platform:

Developer, Online, US Instances, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Entra's cross-cloud synchronization, in public preview and opt-in, automates user lifecycle management across Microsoft commercial, US Government, and China clouds. General availability is late September to early October 2025. It requires specific licenses, admin enablement, and supports configuration via portal, PowerShell, and API.

Details:
Updated October 2, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Introduction
We're introducing cross-cloud synchronization in Microsoft Entra to help organizations streamline user lifecycle management across Microsoft's commercial, US Government, and China cloud environments. This feature automates creating, updating, and deleting users across supported cloud pairs and is currently in public preview. It is off by default and must be explicitly enabled by administrators.
When this will happen
General availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, DoD): The capability is currently in public preview and will be rolled out to general availability between late September 2025 (previously early September) and early October 2025 (previously mid-October).

Change Category:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2025-07-30

updated:
2025-10-02

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Lifecycle Management Disruption
Without proper preparation, enabling cross-cloud synchronization may lead to unintended user account creations, updates, or deletions, causing confusion and access issues for users.
   - roles: IT Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/app-provisioning/known-issues?pivots=cross-tenant-synchronization" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/app-provisioning/known-issues?pivots=cross-tenant-synchronization, https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/multi-tenant-organizations/cross-tenant-synchronization-configure?pivots=cross-cloud-synchronization

Licensing Compliance Issues
If the necessary licenses are not in place before enabling the feature, organizations may face compliance issues and potential service disruptions.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, IT Administrators
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/multi-tenant-organizations/cross-tenant-synchronization-configure?pivots=cross-cloud-synchronization

Increased Administrative Overhead
Enabling cross-cloud synchronization without adequate preparation may lead to increased administrative tasks to manage user accounts and resolve issues arising from synchronization errors.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Support Staff
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/app-provisioning/known-issues?pivots=cross-tenant-synchronization" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/app-provisioning/known-issues?pivots=cross-tenant-synchronization

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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Data Protection**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in Microsoft Entra called cross-cloud synchronization, which is designed to simplify the management of user accounts across different cloud environments. Imagine you're running a business with offices in different countries, each using its own set of rules and systems. Keeping everything in sync can be a bit like trying to keep multiple spinning plates balanced at once. This new feature helps automate that process, making it easier to manage user accounts no matter where they are.

The feature is currently in a testing phase called public preview, which means it's available for people to try out, but it's not fully released yet. The full release is expected between late September and early October 2025. Until then, organizations can choose to try it out by opting in. Think of it like a new app update that you can choose to download and test before it becomes available to everyone.

Cross-cloud synchronization works by automating the creation, updating, and deletion of user accounts across different Microsoft cloud environments, such as those used by commercial businesses, the US Government, and China. It's like having a universal remote that can control all your different devices, making it easier to manage everything from one place.

To use this feature, certain licenses are required, and it needs to be enabled by an administrator. It's similar to needing a special key to unlock a new feature in a software program. Once enabled, administrators can configure it through various tools like the Entra portal, PowerShell, and Microsoft Graph API, which are like different types of control panels or dashboards.

This feature is not visible to regular users, so they won't notice any changes in their day-to-day activities. It's mainly for administrators who need to manage user accounts across different cloud environments. If you're planning to use this feature, it's important to ensure that your environment meets the necessary requirements and that you have the appropriate licenses.

Overall, cross-cloud synchronization is a tool designed to make life easier for IT administrators by streamlining the process of managing user accounts across multiple cloud environments. It's like having a single command center that helps keep everything organized and running smoothly.