Prepare for SharePoint One-Time Passcode Retirement
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The SharePoint One-Time Passcode retirement cuts off a common external-sharing fallback this October.
Microsoft is retiring SharePoint One-Time Passcode authentication in October 2026. External sharing already moved to Microsoft Entra B2B for new links starting in May 2026. The October date closes the door on the old passcode fallback for good.
Understanding Your Window
Any “specific people” link created for a partner without an Entra B2B guest account behind it stops working once the SharePoint One-Time Passcode retirement takes effect.
Recipients who never converted lose access silently. The link simply fails with no explanation.
Action Items for IT Admins Managing Guest Access and Passcode Deprecation
Administrators should take three steps to avoid access disruption:
- Inventory active links: Audit external-sharing links created before May 2026.
- Convert remaining recipients: Convert existing passcode recipients to Entra B2B guest accounts.
- Prepare to re-share: Re-share any links that fail after cutover, as recipients cannot self-serve access back.
Not sure how many external shares still depend on old passcodes instead of guest accounts? Let us run that inventory together before October.



