Activision has removed restrictions on prepaid cell phones in Battle.net's 2FA system.

Activision and Blizzard came under fire in October over their 2FA system, called SMS Protect (open in new tab), which also requires other games, including Dota 2 (open in new tab) and Rainbow Six Siege (open in new tab) It wasn't because of the phone number issue, but because they wouldn't accept prepaid cell phones or VOIP. In other words, if you want to play two of the biggest games of the year, you have to sign a cell phone contract. As prepaid wireless service becomes more flexible and competitive, so many people are choosing not to (open in new tab).

While shutting out a large number of potential players was a puzzling choice, the situation became even worse almost immediately. While many players confirmed that their prepaid phones did not work with SMS protection, several people, including our Associate Editor and Overwatch 2 reviewer Tyler Kolp, said that their prepaid worked with SMS protection (in new tab (open in new tab)). In other words, instead of a definitive "no," there was confusion.

In an update shared later in the month, it was clarified that the phone number requirement does not apply to console players (opens in new tab) and that it does apply to PC players who had previously authenticated their Call of Duty: Warzone users. Now, however, everything is simpler, as long as you have a smartphone.

Overwatch 2 was the first to announce that SMS Protect will remove the prepaid limit with an update that will take place tomorrow, November 18.

Call of Duty's Twitter account followed shortly after.

The reason for the change has not been disclosed, but we have contacted Activision and Blizzard and will update if we hear back. Either way, it's definitely good news for those who haven't played either game yet: if you haven't yet, it's good news.