Azure SQL (LTR): You Don’t Need to Copy LTR Backups Across Regions to Restore Them
Summary Customers sometimes attempt to copy Azure SQL Long-Term Retention (LTR) backups across regions using Copy-AzSqlDatabaseLongTermRetentionBackup, only to hit the error: LongTermRetentionMigrationRequestNotSupported LTR backup migration copy feature is not supported on subscription This blog clarifies why this happens, when LTR backup copy is actually supported, and most importantly the correct and supported way to restore an LTR backup into a different region without copying it. The Common Scenario A customer has: An LTR backup stored in Region A A need to restore the database into Region B The assumption that the LTR backup must first be copied cross-region They attempt: Copy-AzSqlDatabaseLongTermRetentionBackup and immediately receive a platform validation error stating the feature isn’t supported on their subscription. Why This Error Happens The key misunderstanding is what the LTR backup copy API is actually for. Copy-AzSqlDatabaseLongTermRetentionBackup is NOT a general-purpose feature This API is: Backend-gated Allowlist-only Intended only for region decommissioning scenarios In other words: It is not supported for normal customer-driven migrations There is no portal toggle or feature registration Subscriptions are only allowlisted when Microsoft is retiring a region, and LTR backups must be preserved elsewhere. Because of this, most subscriptions - will receive: LongTermRetentionMigrationRequestNotSupported The Correct & Supported Solution Good news: You do NOT need to copy the LTR backup to another region to restore it there. Azure SQL allows you to: Restore an LTR backup directly to any Azure SQL logical server, in any region. Supported Approach: Restore LTR Backup Directly Use Restore-AzSqlDatabase with the -FromLongTermRetentionBackup switch. Example (PowerShell) Restore-AzSqlDatabase ` -FromLongTermRetentionBackup ` -ResourceId $ltrBackup.ResourceId ` -ServerName $serverName ` -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroup ` -TargetDatabaseName "Test" ` -ServiceObjectiveName P1 This works across regions No backend enablement required Fully supported and documented How This Works (Important Concept) LTR backups are stored in geo-redundant storage The restore operation does not depend on the original region The platform automatically handles data access and restores placement So, while the backup physically originated in Region A, you are free to restore it to Region B, C, or any supported Azure region without copying it first. When Is LTR Backup Copy Actually Used? Only in this scenario: Microsoft-initiated region decommissioning In that case: LTR backups must be relocated to remain available Subscriptions are temporarily allowlisted Copy-AzSqlDatabaseLongTermRetentionBackup is enabled at the backend Outside of this scenario, the API is intentionally restricted. Key Takeaways You can restore an LTR backup to any region directly You do not need (and usually cannot use) LTR backup copy Backup copy is gated and reserved for region retirement scenarios Use Restore-AzSqlDatabase -FromLongTermRetentionBackup instead Final Recommendation for Customers If customers encounter this error: Reassure them this is not a misconfiguration or permission issue Explain that LTR restore is the correct solution Avoid escalation for feature enablement unless a region retirement is involved
