When Overwatch 2 replaces the archetypal Overwatch connected Oct. 4, players volition beryllium required to nexus a telephone fig to their Battle.net accounts. If you don’t, you won’t beryllium capable to play Overwatch 2 — even if you’ve already purchased Overwatch. The aforesaid two-factor step, called SMS Protect, volition besides beryllium utilized connected each Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 accounts erstwhile that crippled launches, and caller Call of Duty: Modern Warfare accounts.

Blizzard Entertainment announced SMS Protect and different information measures up of Overwatch 2’s release. Blizzard said it implemented these controls due to the fact that it wanted to “protect the integrity of gameplay and beforehand affirmative behaviour successful Overwatch 2.”

Overwatch 2 is escaped to play, dissimilar its predecessor. Without SMS Protect, Blizzard reasoned that determination is nary obstruction to toxic players oregon trolls creating a caller relationship if an existing 1 is sanctioned. SMS Protect, therefore, ties that relationship to thing invaluable — successful this lawsuit a player’s mobile phone.

Why does Blizzard necessitate my telephone number?

SMS Protect is simply a information diagnostic that has 2 purposes: to support players accountable for what Blizzard calls “disruptive behavior,” and to support accounts if they’re hacked. It requires each Overwatch 2 players to connect a unsocial telephone fig to their account. Blizzard said SMS Protect volition people cheaters and harassers; if an relationship is banned, it’ll beryllium harder for them to instrumentality to Overwatch 2. You can’t conscionable participate immoderate aged telephone fig — you really person to person entree to a telephone receiving texts to that fig to get into your account.

Overwatch 2 lead bundle technologist Bill Warnecke told Forbes that, adjacent if accounts are nary longer tied to Overwatch’s container terms — due to the fact that the crippled is present free-to-play — Blizzard inactive wants players to marque an “investment” successful upholding a harmless game.

“The cardinal thought down SMS Protect is to person an concern connected behalf of the proprietor of that relationship and adhd immoderate limitations oregon restrictions down however you mightiness person an account,” Warnecke said. “There’s nary exclusions oregon benignant of loopholes astir the system.”

What benignant of telephone fig tin I use?

Blizzard said its Battle.net notifications, arsenic portion of SMS Protect, are lone for “text enabled mobile phones.” That means that messaging apps similar WhatsApp oregon Apple’s iMessage can’t beryllium used. Likewise, (some) prepaid phones won’t work, and neither volition VoIP numbers (which usage IP networks to marque calls oregon nonstop texts). Likewise, a landline telephone fig won’t enactment either.

A telephone fig tin lone beryllium utilized once; players can’t person aggregate accounts tied to a azygous number.

Can I get a refund if I can’t adhd my telephone number?

Blizzard enactment has reportedly refunded the $39.99 1 subordinate spent connected the Overwatch 2 Watchpoint Pack, after that subordinate contacted Blizzard lawsuit enactment and pointed retired they did not person a mobile telephone that met SMS Protect’s requirements. But that’s lone 1 case. We’ve reached retired to Blizzard for much accusation connected its refund argumentation regarding Overwatch, Overwatch 2 and SMS Protect’s compatibility.

Where bash I adhd my telephone number?

On the Battle.net relationship page, you’ll request to caput to the Account Details tab connected the sidebar, close nether Account Overview. The 3rd container down is wherever you input your number. You tin bash truthful by clicking Add Phone Number. Blizzard volition nonstop a verification fig to the telephone attached to your number. Enter it successful the container and you should beryllium bully to go.

If you alteration your telephone number, you’ll beryllium capable to set it present later, too.

Can I inactive person aggregate accounts?

Sure — if they’re linked to idiosyncratic telephone numbers that link to an progressive mobile phone.

Does this really amended security?

Blizzard said these telephone notifications volition beryllium utilized to o.k. password resets — meaning idiosyncratic other won’t beryllium capable to alteration your password without the notification codification it’ll nonstop to your mobile phone. Blizzard said it volition besides nonstop you a substance connection if your relationship is locked retired aft a “a suspicious login attempt,” oregon if your password oregon information features are changed.