You'll soon see a big change in how your Gmail account is secured and your two-factor authenticated logins are handled. Google has said it's planning to stop sending 2FA codes via text message to verify Gmail accounts in favor of security tools such as passkeys and QR codes that you would scan with your device.

Gmail is to ditch the use of SMS codes for authentication purposes, a Google spokesperson said. Here’s what you need to know.

Google has shared more details around its plans on replacing SMS codes with QR codes for user authentication. Read on for the details!

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Google will instead introduce on-screen QR codes that will have to be scanned with your chosen authentication device in order to verify that it is actually you trying to log in. This potentially adds an extra layer of biometric security for those who use a facial recognition or fingerprint scan to access their device or applications.

Gmail will soon ditch SMS codes for two-factor authentication, and use QR codes instead. This will reduce the impact of global SMS abuse.

Currently, Google sends SMS codes for two reasons: to confirm that a new login is legitimate and to block spammers from opening Gmail accounts in bulk. You type in your credentials, and a moment later,

The search-and-ads giant introduced SMS distribution of one-time passcodes for authentication for Gmail in February 2011, and in 2018 fewer than 10 percent of users employed it. Google later required multi-factor authentication for most services in 2021.

Google confirmed today (Feb 24) that it will soon fade out its SMS code sign-in method for Gmail in favor of QR codes. The company says QR codes will offer a little more robust security as SMS codes are more prone to "phishing." Google reiterated the same sentiment during its first introduction of passkeys for personal accounts.

The change will roll out in the coming months and help reduce fraud and spam while improving security.

In an attempt to improve user privacy, Google's Gmail has decided to replace SMS authentication with QR codes.