Two factor is a joke

[RapidFireReaper]

I dropped my phone into water today killing it dead. I need to remove two factor from my account. Why in all your infinte wisdom did you decied that if a user has to click on "I no longer have access to the steam mobile app" you then send an SMS text. Hey smart guys did you ever think they if I dont have access to my mobile and dont have access to my mobile app why would I be able to get an SMS to the same device? Why bother emailing me a code to then ask for a second code from the mobile I cant access! The facrt you have no support number to call is absurd and anti consumer. It makes no sense to send me a recovery code to the same moblie device I cant use to get the code in the first place! I can provide the payment info, address, full name but none of that is good enough?

[Snapjak]

You fail to realize that you can just get another sim with the exact same phone number.

You also fail to realize that you don't even have to have the mobile app on the same device.

You also further fail to realize that you can keep going in order to get to support, provide proof and remove the number + app so you can put it on a new device.

[flying_night_slasher]

You do realize they have backup codes that you are supposed to save somewhere to access your account in case you lose your phone right?

[RapidFireReaper]

See that is ridiculous. I should be locked out of my account of 289 games because years and years ago I was givin some code to wright down? No other company of earth would consider me having full name, address, phone number, pay pal invoices and credit card information not good enough. Is it my fault my phone is dead. 100% it is. But it is absurd to make your system were I click on I dont have access to the app and their solution is to text the mobile device I just clicked that I dont have access to. My phone was old there is no removable sim card I can just throw in another phone. I dont have the money to go buy a new phone and even if I did I still wouldent be able to sign into the mobile because it will just ask me for the steam guard code I cant get. I can call Origin customer support. I can call xbox customer support it is outragous lazy and cheap to not have a support number. There is no excuse for not having one when you are the god king of pc gaming. Two factor is an infinite loop. I just want it removed and ill make sure to never ever ever ever use two factor for anything again. Fix this steam..

[kitt]

you agreed to it, why cry now? a User already stated what you can/could do, so stop whining and start to read

[crunchyfrog]

Sorry, but almost EVERY utility company or bank DOES have data or passwords that you write down at creation.

So, if you don't get in the practice of doing that to help YOU, well, your adult life is going to be very interesting....

You've also now said you want it removed. Did you not see the advice Snapjak gave you already detailing exactly how to do just that? That's rather rude.

[RapidFireReaper]

Yeah its pretty easy to say until you have a problem. The only thing I can do is fill out the form and wait for steam support to hopfully remove it. Even though there are plenty of other posts with the same problem that got zero response from support. You dont have to like or agree with me but they need a support number or at the very least a chat. They only reason they dont is because idiots like you try to justify there terrible customer service and support. There is no excuse for not having it. Other than laziness or being too cheap. How dare I demand some actual customer service from these morons.

[rawWwRrr]

RapidFireReaper님이 먼저 게시:

But it is absurd to make your system were I click on I dont have access to the app and their solution is to text the mobile device I just clicked that I dont have access to.

You clicked that you don't have access to the app, not the phone number. Stop being dense.

[RapidFireReaper]

Jesus christ people. For the third time. I click I dont have access to the app. so it says it sent an sms code to the phone number. Which I click I dont have access to this phone. It then says enter a bakcup code I dont have. I also cant walk into my cell phone provider terracom because the only building they have is a state away from me. Im not trying to be rude but the way to factor works on steam is just bad. What sense does it make when someone tells you they dont have access to the mobile app to then text that mobile device it should not work that way. I am not the bad guy here. Why would you even want to defend a company that cares so little about its customers they wont even provide and number to call or anyway to text chat. Thats jus not acceptable.

[The Giving One]

RapidFireReaper님이 먼저 게시:

They only reason they dont is because idiots like you try to justify there terrible customer service and support.

RapidFireReaper님이 먼저 게시:

See that is ridiculous. I should be locked out of my account of 289 games because years and years ago I was givin some code to wright down? Is it my fault my phone is dead. 100% it is.

Did you just admit to not having the code, and then admit that it is your responsibility due to the issue with your phone, but then call others here "idiots" ?

RapidFireReaper님이 먼저 게시:

Thats jus not acceptable.

No amount of complaining is going to get this issue resolve. Just use the tools and method available to you and go through Support like anyone else has to and everyone else has to.

[RapidFireReaper]

Sure valve can have the worst customer service of any pc gaming platform and we should just accept that. Im sure you all have spent thousands on games on here just as I have but your right they owe you no support as a paying customer. Lets just let them do whatever they want...awesome.

[The Giving One]

"Help, I lost (or sold) my phone and can't log in! What do I do?"

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-wrah-9030#sold

"Is there a way to get backup codes in case I lose my phone?"

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-wrah-9030#backup

[Zekiran]

You applied two factor security for a reason.

I hope that you understand that YOUR losing your phone is NOT steam's problem, and is in fact your very own issue. Deal with it on your end, don't lose your possessions. I mean, I would be HELLA angry at having *lost a phone*, access to a steam account I can easily prove is mine would be a pittance compared to a piece of technology.

Seriously, priorities.

[Muppet among Puppets]

2 factor has one requirement:
Make sure it does not lock YOU out.

So you write down its recovery code or backup codes,
add a phone number (dry the sim card with rice for some days and insert it in a sms able phone),
keep the initial set up code for 2fa (not with steam).

And if you cant get in without these things,
you can see how it is working.

[RapidFireReaper]

Because I dont wish to be the typical internet guy who just complains and never follows up. To my shock steam support just emailed me back. I dont know why the other people who had the same issue as me dident get replys as quickly as I did. I accept your mockery and wont delete this. I still think its not a good system to sms if the user has already selected they dont have access to mobile. There needs to be some changes to the two factor system to prevent this from happening to others. Or just another form of proving who you are via payment information or other information on the account.

[Muppet among Puppets]

RapidFireReaper님이 먼저 게시:

Because I dont wish to be the typical internet guy who just complains and never follows up. To my shock steam support just emailed me back. I dont know why the other people who had the same issue as me dident get replys as quickly as I did. I accept your mockery and wont delete this. I still think its not a good system to sms if the user has already selected they dont have access to mobile. There needs to be some changes to the two factor system to prevent this from happening to others. Or just another form of proving who you are via payment information or other information on the account.

Your case was solved. And you can prevent it in the future.

What needs to change?


You want to know a bad approach? 2fa without backup codes and not telling you how to prevent you from losing access. Real example.

What you can do then: As i said, keep the initial setup code.


If you dont have a "backdoor" to not get locked out, do NOT set up or keep 2fa.


Imagine you had used google auth with several accounts. Man would you be busy without "backups" of access.