Synchronizing pictures to Sharepoint Online without EXO

Question

We have a hybrid deployment with users using Exchange on premise and Sharepoint Online without Exchange Online. When you try to synchronize a picture to Sharepoint Online from on premise AD, the usual way is AD->online AD->Sharepoint Online
From what I have researched it is not possible to do synchronize the photos between AD and SPO without EXO: http://community.office365.com/en-us/f/148/t/193311.aspx
What I have tried:

• Set-userphoto cmdlet is not available in Sharepoint Online Management Shell.
• Accessing profile properties using CSOM gives me the link to the profile picture but not a way to upload it

The question:

• In what way I can upload 580 profile pictures from my AD to SPO if I don't have EXO license?
• What is the behaviour of such pictures later on? Are there any issues with SPO trying to overwrite the uploaded photos from non-existent online AD?

Answer 1

This is by no means an official answer and I cannot guarantee that it will work for everybody, but it seems like acquiring 1 (in words: one) Exchange Online license solves the issues and synchronizes pictures for all the users. 3 tenants with positive results (600+ users, 20+ and 1000+), one unfortunately not. Good luck, guys.

Answer 2

According to the same thread you linked to, Exchange Online is not required:

Sorry for the confusion. I can understand your concern. To sync the picture from local AD to SharePoint Online, the users do not have to use Exchange Online. I mean if there is no Exchange Online service, after the picture is synced to cloud-based AD, it will also be synced to SharePoint Online.

Are the users photos under 10KB in the on prem AD? If so they should sync.