Twitter is discontinuing two-step verification by SMS for non-paying users. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to keep your account safe in other ways.
Two-step verification or 2FA means that, in addition to your password, you also have to provide another verification when you log in to a new device. This prevents your account from being stolen if someone can guess your password. In many cases, this works through an SMS code that you receive when you try to log in again.
Twitter will now stop doing so by March 19, 2023; only those who have a paying Twitter Blue subscription can continue to use two-step verification with SMS—a way for Twitter to save extra costs.
The good news is that SMS isn’t the only way to do 2FA. Of the most common 2FA methods, SMS is even the least secure way nowadays. The bad news is that you’ll need to dive into the settings yourself, ideally from a computer, to keep your account safe in the long run.
In a browser, go to your Twitter account settings and see “security and account access.” There you click on ‘Security’ and then on two-step verification. In our situation, we had already enabled SMS; uncheck that, after which you have to enter your password.
Immediately afterwards, you check one of the two other options (authentication app or security key). In our case, we use an app. That could be Google Authenticator, 1Password, Authy, Duo Mobile, or any other app that supports Twitter.
Microsoft’s authentication app isn’t mentioned, but it also works. First, you will be presented with a QR code to scan. Next, you will receive a number code via the verification app that changes regularly, which you enter into Twitter. Finally, you will also receive a one-time verification code that you can keep as a backup if, for some reason, you cannot use 2FA.
In theory, those who only have a smartphone can also activate 2FA on an authenticator app. However, we must say that this did not work in our test.
Microsoft’s Authentication app wasn’t found by the Twitter app, even with the app open on our phone, and Google’s Authentication app also gave problems at first. This may be improved in the long term, but if you want to reactivate 2FA quickly, it is best to use a PC that can be done in five minutes.
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