Enable and Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your Blizzard Account

If you are an avid consumer of games from Blizzard, such as World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Diablo 3, or StarCraft 2, securing your account should be a top priority. While having a username and password is essential, it isn't foolproof against hackers. The best way to ensure that your account remains secure and your game progress and investments are protected is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Battle.net account. Blizzard provides a mobile app called Blizzard Authenticator and an SMS protection feature called SMS Protect. Here’s how to enable and use 2FA for Blizzard's games:

Contents

1. How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using Blizzard Authenticator
2. How to Use 2FA to Log In using Blizzard Authenticator
3. How to Enable 2FA using SMS Messages (SMS Protect)
4. How to Use 2FA to Log In using SMS Messages
5. Which Blizzard Games are Protected by 2FA?
6. Did You Turn On 2FA for Your Blizzard Account?

NOTE: For a broader understanding of two-factor authentication and its importance, check out this article: What is Two-Step Verification or Authentication?.

1. How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your Blizzard Account, Using Blizzard Authenticator

To get started, open your web browser and navigate to the Blizzard website. Log in with your Battle.net account.

Accessing Account Settings

Once logged in, click on your account icon in the top-right corner and select Account Settings.

Navigate to Security & Privacy

Select Security & Privacy from the menu, then click on Authenticator.

Add an Authenticator

You should now see the page titled "Add an Authenticator". Blizzard informs you that enabling the Blizzard Mobile Authenticator not only increases your account's security but also rewards you with a Free Corehound Pet in World of Warcraft.

At the bottom of the page, links for the Blizzard Authenticator app in the App Store and Google Play Store are provided. Click on "Download on the App Store" for iPhone or "Get it on Google Play" for Android.

Install the Blizzard Authenticator

After installing Blizzard Authenticator on your smartphone, return to your web browser and click on "Set up your authenticator" on the "Add an Authenticator" page.

Verify Your Email

Verify your email by clicking Continue. Blizzard will send a security code to your email, which you will need to retrieve and enter in the Security Code field.

2. How to Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to Log In to Your Blizzard Account, Using Blizzard Authenticator

After enabling 2FA, you will need to approve each login attempt. Enter your username and password as usual, then open the Blizzard Authenticator app on your smartphone and tap Approve, ensuring the codes match before confirming.

3. How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your Blizzard Account, Using SMS Messages (SMS Protect)

To enable 2FA via SMS, navigate to the Security & Privacy section on your Battle.net account and click on Blizzard SMS Protect.

4. How to Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to Log In Using SMS Messages

When logging in with SMS Protect enabled, select the Use SMS Protect option to receive a security code via SMS. Enter this code in your browser to log in.

5. Which Blizzard Games are Protected by Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication is available for all games via Blizzard's Battle.net, including:

However, classic games such as Diablo, Warcraft II, and StarCraft do not support 2FA.

6. Did You Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your Blizzard Account?

Implementing two-factor authentication is crucial for your account’s security. With simple steps, you can enhance the protection of your Battle.net account effectively. Share your experience with 2FA in the comments below!