# Azure product updates - 2026-09-25 **2 new update(s)** — first seen in this run. The last 7 day(s) are rescanned every time so late or backdated announcements are not missed. Grouped by Azure product category. Source: [Azure Updates](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates) ## Summary by category | Category | Updates | GA | Preview | Top products | | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- | | [Mobile](#mobile) | 1 | - | - | Azure Communication Services | | [Storage](#storage) | 1 | 1 | - | Azure Disk Storage, Virtual Machines | ## Mobile ### [Retirement: Azure Communication Services (ACS) standalone services will be retired on September 30, 2028](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates?id=557117) **Status:** Retirement | **Published:** 2026-09-24 | **Products:** Azure Communication Services | **Tags:** Retirements Microsoft will retire several standalone Azure Communication Services (ACS) offerings by September 30, 2028, requiring customers to transition to Teams-integrated solutions or update SDKs to maintain functionality. - Multiple standalone ACS services including Email, SMS, Chat, and Number Management will be retired and cease functioning after September 30, 2028. - ACS services with breaking changes, such as Voice/Video Calling SDK and Call Automation, will continue only when integrated with Microsoft Teams and require SDK updates to the latest major versions. - New customers cannot sign up for retiring ACS services starting October 23, 2026; existing customers can use them until the retirement date to support transition. - Customers must update applications to supported Teams-aligned services or face service disruption; Microsoft provides migration guidance and support resources to facilitate this transition. Documentation: [Retirement and breaking changes guide for Azure Communication Services](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/communication-services/acs-retirement-and-breaking-changes-guide) ## Storage ### [Generally Available: Instant Access for VM restore points](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates?id=572573) **Status:** Launched | **Published:** 2026-09-24 | **Products:** Azure Disk Storage, Virtual Machines | **Tags:** Compliance, Management, Feature Instant Access for application-consistent VM restore points with Premium v2 or Ultra disks is now generally available, enabling immediate disk restoration from snapshots to reduce recovery time objectives. - Instant Access allows disk restore to start as soon as the snapshot is created, bypassing the wait for full data replication. - Introduces a new consolidated read-only property 'instantAccessState' on restore points to simplify restore decision-making. - Supported only for application-consistent restore points on VMs with Premium SSD v2 or Ultra data disks; not supported for crash-consistent restore points. - Available via REST API, Azure SDK, CLI, and ARM templates; not yet supported in the Azure Portal. Documentation: [Use virtual machine restore points - Azure Virtual Machines](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/virtual-machines-create-restore-points#instant-access) --- _Generated automatically on 2026-09-25 01:16 UTC._