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Overwatch 2

SMS Protection: Requirements & How to Enable

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Overwatch 2 - SMS Verification Banner
Owners of the previous Overwatch game who played since June 9, 2021, and those who connected their accounts to Battle.net prior to Overwatch 2 will not be required to provide their number to play the game. Read on to check if you're eligible to skip the SMS protection and how to register your number for SMS protection.

SMS No Longer Required for Existing Players

In Blizzard's latest Overwatch 2 Status Update, they state that their SMS Protect changes have now gone live. Players who owned the original Overwatch and connected their Battle.net account will not be required to provide a phone number to play the game. This includes console players that played the game since June 9, 2021.

The SMS verification will now only apply to newcomers to the game and players who didn't have a Battle.net account connected to Overwatch to ensure the game is well protected against cheaters.

Official Overwatch 2 Status Update
(October 7, 2022)

How to Activate SMS

Go to Battle.net

1 Overwatch 2 - View Account
Go to Battle.net and click on View Account.
2 Overwatch 2 - Account Details
Once you're logged in, scroll down to your information and click on Account Details.
3 Overwatch 2 - Update Phone
Go to Phone Number and click Update.
4 Overwatch 2 - Verification Successful
You will get a message with the verification code. Input it then enter.

What to do if you can't activate SMS?

Contact Customer Support

The easiest way to resolve any issues on your account is to contact Customer Support. They will most likely get back to you within the day.

1 Overwatch 2 - Contact
Click on Customer Support.
2 Overwatch 2 - Account
Choose Account.
3 Overwatch 2 - Talk to Service Reps
Talk to Customer Service.

What Does SMS Verification Do?

Helps Against Smurfing

According to the Developers, having an SMS verification system will lessen smurf accounts from being created.

Discourages Cheating

By having players' phone numbers tied to only one account, it'll help discourage cheaters. Players will have to input a new phone number to make a new account in case they get banned. Every time a player gets banned will result in needing to get a new number.

Needed to Play Overwatch 2

According to Blizzard, players will only be allowed to play the game if they have their phone numbers verified. This looks to be an ongoing feature for Activision Blizzard games moving forward.

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