Overwatch 2 Phone Number SMS Protection Errors Explained

Overwatch 2 requires a phone number as part of its all-new security system. The game will prompt you to add a phone number to your account before logging into Overwatch 2. Many players are experiencing problems when receiving this prompt. Here’s the Overwatch 2 phone number SMS protection error explained.

Overwatch 2 Phone Number SMS Protection Errors Explained

UPDATE 10/6/22: Blizzard has announced the following changes, including removing the phone number requirement for Overwatch 2.

• Blizzard has removed phone number requirements for a majority of existing Overwatch players.
• Any Overwatch player with a connected Battle.net account, which includes all players who have played since June 9, 2021, will not have to provide a phone number to play.
• Blizzard expects this change to go live on Friday, October 7 and will update players once it is in effect.

Due to the new SMS protection feature Blizzard calls “Defense Matrix”, players will need to link a pre or post-paid phone number to their Battle.net account. However, many players with prepaid plans are stating that the game will not take the number and they cannot enter their account.

Currently, Blizzard has given zero information on what will be done about this. We have heard that they are aware of the issue but have not officially shared what players can do to solve the problem.

The Battle.net Known issues for Overwatch 2 section has some more information.

Related: Overwatch 2 Failed to Connect to Game Server Explained

This is also a problem for families who want to play Overwatch but don’t have multiple phone numbers to link to every account. You can run into this problem for several reasons.

This is especially true for players worldwide who have different cellular carriers, prepaid plans, and other variables that are stopping them from being able to enjoy Overwatch 2.

Can You Fix the Error?

If you’ve linked your phone number already and are having no issues, then you’re good, but it will be a waiting game until Blizzard comes up with a solution for those stuck. At the time of writing this, there is no solution other than to wait for Blizzard.

Well, that’s everything we know so far about the Overwatch 2 phone number SMS protection errors. We will keep you posted as we wait for Blizzard to explain more about its plans to fix these problems. In the meantime, you can read more about the Defense Matrix SMS plans and other changes Blizzard is bringing to Overwatch 2.