Microsoft Retires Older Email Technology

This month, Microsoft began to retire Exchange Web Services (EWS), an older technology used by some email applications to connect to JMU email. The most common application in use at JMU that still relies upon EWS is Apple Mail for macOS. JMU Information Technology has implemented a workaround that will allow Apple Mail for macOS to continue working for now. However, this measure is temporary, and Microsoft will eliminate the workaround in early 2027. JMU IT recommends that all email users run Microsoft Outlook for reliable, long-term access to JMU email, but if you want to keep using Apple Mail for Mac, there are some things you need to know.

What is and is not afffected?

Only applications that use EWS are affected. Apple Mail for macOS is the only JMU-supported email client that still uses EWS, but there are other applications that have been noted in our environment including DavMail, EdisonMail, and Fantastical 2 for Mac. JMU’s workaround applies to Apple Mail for macOS only; we are unable to implement the workaround for unsupported email clients.

Microsoft announced this change years ago, so by now all current Microsoft products like Outlook on Windows, Outlook on Mac, and Outlook on mobile no longer use EWS and are not affected by this change. Other popular applications like iOS Mail have been similarly updated and are not affected. Also, Outlook on the web (https://outlook.office.com or https://dukes.jmu.edu) is not affected.

What Apple Mail for macOS users should know

Apple is aware of the compatibility issue and indicates that they will address it in a future update to macOS Golden Gate. Currently, Golden Gate’s version of Apple Mail still relies upon EWS. Neither Apple nor JMU can guarantee when or whether an updated version of Apple Mail will be released.

So, if you are hoping for an update to Apple Mail that fixes the issue, be aware:

• The update may not come at all or may not be released by the time Microsoft eliminates EWS entirely in early 2027.
• If the update does come, it will only be released for Golden Gate (not older macOS versions).
• Golden Gate does not run on Intel Macs.

For these reasons, JMU IT recommends that you should not rely on Apple Mail for macOS as your only plan for continued access to JMU email. Please consider transitioning to Microsoft Outlook before JMU’s temporary measure ends.

Guidance for JMU-issued Macs

Golden Gate has not yet been released to all eligible JMU-issued Macs. JMU IT expects to begin distributing it to university computers during this academic year. If a JMU-issued Mac cannot run Golden Gate, IT recommends that the computer be replaced. Employees in this situation should work within their department(s) to plan for replacement.

Key takeaways

JMU IT’s temporary measure has prevented an immediate interruption for most affected users, but this situation demonstrates that using Microsoft Outlook is the best way to ensure continued and uninterrupted access to JMU email regardless of future changes to Microsoft and non-Microsoft applications.

Anyone who needs help moving to Outlook or has questions related to this change should contact the JMU IT Help Desk at (540)568-3555 or helpdesk@jmu.edu.