MC1540345: Exchange Online Admin API Replaces Legacy Permissions with Dedicated AdminAPI Permissions

MWPRO IMPACT SCORE
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
62
0 25 50 75 100
HIGH IMPACT • REVIEW RECOMMENDED
Recommended Action:
Review the update and plan any required actions before rollout.
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Primary Audience

Exchange AdminsMicrosoft 365 AdminsSecurity TeamsIT ManagersDevelopersTenant AdminsService Owners
Why this score?
AI Confidence
HIGH
Enough detail is available to trust this assessment.
Assessment Reasoning
The announcement introduces new application permissions for the Exchange Online Admin API v2.0, replacing existing delegated and app-only permissions. Admins must identify affected applications, update Entra app registrations, grant new consents and remove deprecated permissions before December 2026. There is no direct end-user or UI impact, but technical teams need to validate and reconfigure integrations to maintain API access, making this a high-impact and time-sensitive change.
78
🛡️ Admin Impact
10
👥 User Impact
72
⚡ Urgency
70
🔧 Effort
ℹ️ WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
📌

AT A GLANCE

Exchange Online Admin API v2.0 now uses new dedicated permissions. Apps using the old permissions must switch before they stop working.
👥

END USERS

No major end-user change expected.
🛡️

IT ADMINS

Identify apps using old permissions, add and consent to new ones, test workflows, and remove retired permissions.
📅

ROLLOUT TIMELINE

Upcoming:
November 2026

📢 Official Microsoft Message Center Announcement


Action required: Update permissions for Exchange Online Admin API
Message ID: MC1540345

[What and Why:]

Microsoft is updating the authorization model for Exchange Online Admin API v2.0 by introducing dedicated API permissions. This change provides a clearer permission model for applications accessing Exchange Online administrative endpoints and supports the ongoing modernization of Exchange Online administration, including migration from Exchange Web Services (EWS).

The Exchange Online Admin API v2.0 endpoints are not being retired. Only the permissions used to access them are changing:

  • Exchange.ManageV2 is being replaced by Exchange.AdminAPI.Manage.
  • Exchange.ManageAsAppV2 is being replaced by Exchange.AdminAPI.ManageAsApp.

Applications using the affected permissions must transition to the corresponding new permissions to maintain uninterrupted access.

[Rollout Schedule:]

  • Worldwide: New permissions become available November 1, 2026. Complete migration by November 30, 2026. Existing permissions are deprecated December 1, 2026.
  • GCC, GCC High, DoD: Rollout begins in November 2026, with existing permissions deprecated January 1, 2027.

[Impact on Your Organization:]

Who is affected:

This change affects organizations that develop, own, or manage applications accessing Exchange Online Admin API v2.0 using Exchange.ManageV2 for delegated access or Exchange.ManageAsAppV2 for application-only access. If your organization does not use either permission, no action is required.

Platforms/Services:

  • Exchange Online
  • Exchange Online Admin API v2.0
  • Microsoft Entra application permission and consent configuration

What will happen:

  • Applications must transition to Exchange.AdminAPI.Manage or Exchange.AdminAPI.ManageAsApp, as applicable.
  • Administrators must grant consent to the new permissions where required.
  • Existing Exchange Online RBAC requirements continue to apply.
  • Exchange Online Admin API v2.0 endpoint URLs, API version, and supported operations are not changing as a result of this update.
  • Applications relying exclusively on the retired permissions after the applicable deprecation date will no longer be able to access the APIs.

Action Required/Recommendations:

  1. Identify affected applications. Review applications using Exchange.ManageV2 or Exchange.ManageAsAppV2.
  2. Configure the new permissions. Add the corresponding Exchange.AdminAPI.Manage or Exchange.AdminAPI.ManageAsApp permission.
  3. Grant administrator consent. Ensure the required new permissions are approved.
  4. Verify Exchange RBAC assignments. Confirm that the application or delegated user has the necessary Exchange roles.
  5. Validate API functionality. Test affected workflows using the new permissions before removing the existing permissions.
  6. Remove the retired permissions. After successful validation, remove the old permissions from the application configuration.
  7. Update explicit permission references. Update configurations, scripts, or consent workflows that reference the existing permission names.
  8. Check third-party applications. Contact your application provider to determine whether an update is required.

For more information, see Authentication and authorization for the Exchange Online Admin API.

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

Source: Microsoft Message Center • Analysed by MWPro