On Wednesday, February 15th, 2023, Twitter announced an important update to its two-factor authentication (2FA) system. While historically a popular form of 2FA, Twitter has seen phone-number based 2FA being used and abused by bad actors. As a result, starting March 20th, 2023, Twitter will require Twitter Blue for the use of two-factor authentication over SMS.
Non-Twitter Blue subscribers that are already enrolled will have 30 days to disable this method and enroll in another. After March 20th, 2023, Twitter will no longer permit non-Twitter Blue subscribers to use text messages as a 2FA method. At that time, accounts with text message 2FA still enabled will have it disabled.
Twitter recommends non-Twitter Blue subscribers to consider using an authentication app or security key method instead. These methods require you to have physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure.
To help you switch to an authentication app, such as Google Authenticator, we’ve provided some simple steps to follow:
- Download the Google Authenticator app on your smartphone. The app is available on both Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS.
- Access your Twitter account’s “Security and account access” settings. On desktop, you can use this link.
- From there, use the security menu and select “two-factor authentication.”
- Select “authentication app” and hit “Get Started” on the next pop-up.
- Twitter will generate a QR code that you can scan with the Google Authenticator app. Once that QR code is scanned, your accounts will be linked and two-factor codes will be shown in the Authenticator app.
- When logging into Twitter, you’ll be asked to input the code that the app currently shows, which changes every 30 seconds.
Beyond Google Authenticator, you can also use apps such as 1Password, Authy, and more for these codes.
We encourage all Twitter users to prioritize the security of their accounts and switch to an authentication app or security key method before March 20th, 2023. Learn more about two-factor authentication on Twitter on our Help Center.