The SMS protect is mandatory for all Overwatch players, whether new or returning.
Overwatch 2 is finally out and there are thousands of players playing their favorite shooter with abilities. In addition to existing players, there’s also a lot of players who are returning to check out the new free-to-play game. With new heroes, new game modes and new maps, there’s a lot that’s different in Overwatch 2. But in order to play Overwatch 2, every player needs to have SMS protect enabled in Battle.net. Here’s how to enable SMS protect for Overwatch 2.
How to download Overwatch 2?
For existing users
Existing Overwatch players will get Overwatch 2 as an update. If you are on PC, the update size would be approximately 50 GB, while console players will roughly have a 30 GB update.
It’s a very large update and but it’s worth the wait. Overwatch 2 is a beautifully designed game with several aesthetically pleasing elements from the original game included in the new version.
Open Battle.Net
Check for updates
For new players
New players will have to download the game. Players will need the battle.net launcher to play the game. You can download the battle.net launcher here.
- Once you’ve downloaded battle.net launcher go to games in the top left tab section
- Search the list for Overwatch 2
- Click Install
Overwatch 2 will be around 50 GB on PC and once you’ve downloaded the game, you will be able to select Play in the bottom left corner of the launcher.
How to Set up SMS Protect for Overwatch 2?
All players, irrespective of whether they are new or returning players will have to set up SMS protect. The SMS protect adds another layer of security to Overwatch 2 accounts and can be useful to retrieve lost accounts if required.
Activision Blizzard had already announced the necessity for setting up SMS protect before starting Overwatch 2.
The security of your account is important, and SMS Protect helps verify ownership of your account in the unforeseen event of an account compromise. Similarly, if a disruptive player has been suspended or banned, SMS Protect makes it more difficult for them to return to the game.
The same phone number cannot be used on multiple accounts, so this should curb the smurf problem that was prevalent in Overwatch. Certain types of numbers, including pre-paid and VOIP, cannot be used for SMS Protect.
Overwatch SMS Protect
- Login to your battle.net
- Go to Account Details
- Click on Phone Number and enter your number
- You will receive a verification text, and you need to enter the code
- Your account is now verified
Blizzard has announced that users who have already connected their Battle.net account to their Overwatch accounts no longer need to set up SMS protect. However, new users and those that have not, need to have a phone number linked to access Overwatch 2.
What’s new in Overwatch 2?
There’s a lot that’s new in Overwatch 2 including new heroes Kiriko and Junker Queen. There’s a new game mode called Push where a Robot pushes an objective to the enemy's base. Each team can take control of the robot as long as it’s not contested. At the end of the round, the team that has the most distance pushed wins. It’s a unique game mode and definitely one that adds a spin to the existing game modes in Overwatch. There’s also multiple game modes including the all-time favorites of Quick Play, Mystery heroes as well as a myriad of Arcade game modes.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest Overwatch 2 news and updates.