Microsoft won't send you SMS texts for login anymore - why it's pushing passkeys instead
Microsoft is discontinuing SMS as a method for account authentication and recovery. The company is promoting passkeys as a more secure alternative due to the vulnerabilities associated with SMS. This change aims to enhance user security against threats like phishing and SIM-swapping attacks.
- ▪Microsoft is phasing out SMS as an authentication method for personal accounts.
- ▪SMS messages are unencrypted and can be intercepted by hackers.
- ▪Users will be prompted to set up a passkey instead of relying on SMS for account access.
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| Original publisher | ZDNet |
| Canonical URL | https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-ditches-sms-texts-for-passkey-authentication/ |
| Publication time | Thu, 21 May 2026 15:20:36 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-21T15:27:29.693Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-21T15:27:29.693Z |
| Headline source | Publisher (no WeSearch rewrite) |
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| Publisher visit | Yes — open original |
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| Retrieval / RAG | May the content be exposed for third-party retrieval-augmented generation? | Not asserted |
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| Commercial reuse | May the content be reused commercially? | Not permitted |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Tech Home Tech Security Microsoft won't send you SMS texts for login anymore - why it's pushing passkeys instead Text messages are a weak, vulnerable way to authenticate account logins. Soon, you'll have to switch to one of these safer, more secure methods. Written by Lance Whitney, ContributorContributor May 21, 2026 at 8:20 a.m. PT Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET's key takeawaysMicrosoft is phasing out SMS as an authentication method.SMS messages are unencrypted and vulnerable to hackers.Microsoft account owners will be prompted to set up a passkey instead.When trying to sign-in to or recover one of your online accounts, you'll often receive a text message that prompts you to verify that you're the account owner.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ZDNet.
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