How do I turn off ActiveSync in Office 365?

Disabling ActiveSync for Office 365 Mailboxes: A Step-by-Step Guide

ActiveSync is a powerful protocol allowing mobile devices to synchronize with your Office 365 mailbox. While convenient, there are situations where you might need to disable it for specific users, perhaps due to security concerns, device compliance issues, or a departing employee. This article provides a clear, step-by-step guide to turning off ActiveSync access for a mailbox in Office 365.

Before proceeding, ensure you have the necessary administrative permissions within the Exchange admin center. Disabling ActiveSync will prevent the user from accessing their emails, calendar, and contacts on their mobile devices using the native mail app. Communicate this change to the user beforehand to avoid disruption.

Here’s how to disable ActiveSync for a specific Office 365 mailbox:

1. Access the Exchange Admin Center: Log in to your Office 365 account with administrative privileges and navigate to the Exchange admin center. This is typically found under the “Admin” app launcher or directly through a URL provided by your organization.

2. Locate the User Mailbox: Within the Exchange admin center, navigate to “Recipients” and select “Mailboxes.” A list of all mailboxes within your organization will appear.

3. Select the Target Mailbox: Find the specific mailbox you wish to modify and click on it. This will open the mailbox properties panel.

4. Navigate to Mobile Devices: In the properties panel, you’ll find several tabs outlining various mailbox settings. Look for a tab labeled “Mobile Devices” or something similar (depending on your specific Office 365 version). Click on this tab.

5. Disable Exchange ActiveSync: Within the “Mobile Devices” section, you should see an option to disable Exchange ActiveSync. This might be a button, a checkbox, or a toggle switch. Click it to disable ActiveSync for this mailbox.

6. Save Changes: Once you’ve disabled ActiveSync, ensure you save the changes. This may involve clicking a “Save” button or confirming the change in a pop-up window.

Important Considerations:

• Alternative Access Methods: Inform the user about alternative access methods, such as Outlook on the web (OWA) or dedicated desktop email clients.
• Troubleshooting: If the user still has access after disabling ActiveSync, it might be necessary to force a synchronization or have them remove and re-add their account on their mobile device.
• Security Policies: Consider implementing broader mobile device management (MDM) policies to enforce security and compliance across your organization.

By following these steps, you can effectively disable ActiveSync for individual mailboxes in Office 365, maintaining control over access and security. Remember to communicate clearly with affected users to minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition.

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