PSA: Microsoft Is Removing SMS Authentication From Everyone's Xbox Account
Microsoft is phasing out SMS authentication for personal Microsoft accounts, including Xbox accounts, due to security concerns. The company is encouraging users to adopt more secure methods such as passkeys, which utilize biometric authentication. This change aims to reduce the risk of fraud associated with SMS-based authentication.
- ▪Microsoft is removing SMS authentication from all personal Microsoft accounts, affecting Xbox accounts as well.
- ▪The company is promoting the use of passkeys and biometric authentication methods for enhanced security.
- ▪SMS authentication has been identified as a leading source of fraud, prompting this shift to more secure alternatives.
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| Original publisher | Pure Xbox |
| Canonical URL | https://www.purexbox.com/news/2026/05/psa-microsoft-is-removing-sms-authentication-from-everyones-xbox-account |
| Publication time | Sun, 24 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-24T15:07:33.299Z |
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XboxSecuritySMSAuthentication PSA: Microsoft Is Removing SMS Authentication From Everyone's Xbox Account "SMS-based authentication is now a leading source of fraud" by Fraser Gilbert4 mins ago Share: Image: Xbox (How the Xbox Family Settings App Works on YouTube)Microsoft is officially in the process of removing SMS authentication and account recovery as an option from everyone's personal Microsoft account, which means Xbox accounts will also be affected by this change. Basically, instead of sending texts where you can prove your identity with a six-digit code when trying to sign in, Microsoft is now pushing everyone towards other methods such as passkeys where you can use Face ID, fingerprints and PIN numbers to sign in more securely.
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