can i use the mobile authenticator without a phone number?

[Pierce (she/her)]

i want to remove this dumb 15 day trade wait but i dont have sms. i have an ipad to run the app but i do not have a phone number. can i use just use the app or will it require sms? i dont feal like spending a bunch of money on a phone witch ill rarely ever use so can i just use the app or am i screwed.

[Pscht]

Steam can't send you 2FA codes if you don't have a phone number, clearly.

[Pierce (she/her)]

Originally posted by Pscht:

Steam can't send you 2FA codes if you don't have a phone number, clearly.

i thought you received them in the app? thats what ive been told. that the app generates code, and that its not sent to sms.

[Nex]

Originally posted by pierce:

Originally posted by Pscht:

Steam can't send you 2FA codes if you don't have a phone number, clearly.

i thought you received them in the app? thats what ive been told. that the app generates code, and that its not sent to sms.

Phone number is required to setup 2FA... There's 0 way around it.

[Judgmental Amaterasu]

Originally posted by pierce:

Originally posted by Pscht:

Steam can't send you 2FA codes if you don't have a phone number, clearly.

i thought you received them in the app? thats what ive been told. that the app generates code, and that its not sent to sms.

and the app is tied to a phone number. You can't enable it without being able to send and receive SMS

[Pierce (she/her)]

Originally posted by Lewpy 💉💉💉:

Originally posted by pierce:

i thought you received them in the app? thats what ive been told. that the app generates code, and that its not sent to sms.

Phone number is required to setup 2FA... There's 0 way around it.

Originally posted by Damp Wizard Sleeve:

Originally posted by pierce:

i thought you received them in the app? thats what ive been told. that the app generates code, and that its not sent to sms.

and the app is tied to a phone number. You can't enable it without being able to send and receive SMS

welp, i guess im screwed then. thanks for the help.

[rawWwRrr]

There is a workaround for your case, if I'm not mistaken.

The authenticator just needs an SMS code entered into the app to finish setting it up. It doesn't have to be on the same device that receives the SMS. There is no direction communication between the app and SMS. Others have used a phone number with SMS capability to receive the code, enter it into the app on the non-SMS device, and finish setting up the authenticator.

[Judgmental Amaterasu]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

There is a workaround for your case, if I'm not mistaken.

The authenticator just needs an SMS code entered into the app to finish setting it up. It doesn't have to be on the same device that receives the SMS. There is no direction communication between the app and SMS. Others have used a phone number with SMS capability to receive the code, enter it into the app on the non-SMS device, and finish setting up the authenticator.

That is a way but unless you are sure you'll have access to that number you're setting yourself up for a myriad of problems due to not having access to the phone number.

[FROYO Rando Blueberry King Jesus]

Originally posted by Damp Wizard Sleeve:

Originally posted by pierce:

i thought you received them in the app? thats what ive been told. that the app generates code, and that its not sent to sms.

and the app is tied to a phone number. You can't enable it without being able to send and receive SMS

The app is not tied to a phone number. You can use the app anywhere on any device that can install it, but you need a phone to receive the text in the first place.

Originally posted by Damp Wizard Sleeve:

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

There is a workaround for your case, if I'm not mistaken.

The authenticator just needs an SMS code entered into the app to finish setting it up. It doesn't have to be on the same device that receives the SMS. There is no direction communication between the app and SMS. Others have used a phone number with SMS capability to receive the code, enter it into the app on the non-SMS device, and finish setting up the authenticator.

That is a way but unless you are sure you'll have access to that number you're setting yourself up for a myriad of problems due to not having access to the phone number.

I have had zero reason to use the phone number linked and only using the app to sign in.

[Pierce (she/her)]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

There is a workaround for your case, if I'm not mistaken.

The authenticator just needs an SMS code entered into the app to finish setting it up. It doesn't have to be on the same device that receives the SMS. There is no direction communication between the app and SMS. Others have used a phone number with SMS capability to receive the code, enter it into the app on the non-SMS device, and finish setting up the authenticator.

i still dont have sms though.

[FROYO Rando Blueberry King Jesus]

Well, you could use a virtual phone to do it then…

[Judgmental Amaterasu]

Originally posted by Double bacon cheeseburger:

Originally posted by Damp Wizard Sleeve:

and the app is tied to a phone number. You can't enable it without being able to send and receive SMS

The app is not tied to a phone number. You can use the app anywhere on any device that can install it, but you need a phone to receive the text in the first place.

Originally posted by Damp Wizard Sleeve:

That is a way but unless you are sure you'll have access to that number you're setting yourself up for a myriad of problems due to not having access to the phone number.

I have had zero reason to use the phone number linked and only using the app to sign in.

Have at it then. There is a reason it operates the way it does. Any consequences of a work around are on the user.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Damp Wizard Sleeve:

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

There is a workaround for your case, if I'm not mistaken.

The authenticator just needs an SMS code entered into the app to finish setting it up. It doesn't have to be on the same device that receives the SMS. There is no direction communication between the app and SMS. Others have used a phone number with SMS capability to receive the code, enter it into the app on the non-SMS device, and finish setting up the authenticator.

That is a way but unless you are sure you'll have access to that number you're setting yourself up for a myriad of problems due to not having access to the phone number.

Right. It would have to be a significant phone number and from someone you trust if you didn't have one yourself.

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by pierce:

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

There is a workaround for your case, if I'm not mistaken.

The authenticator just needs an SMS code entered into the app to finish setting it up. It doesn't have to be on the same device that receives the SMS. There is no direction communication between the app and SMS. Others have used a phone number with SMS capability to receive the code, enter it into the app on the non-SMS device, and finish setting up the authenticator.

i still dont have sms though.

Didn't say it had to be you.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Here is a suggestion to think about.

Instead of buying an apple device that limits you, as you described,
get something without that extra brand price tag.
The money that you save you invest in a reasonable phone (again not with a brand price tag of that kind) and several years of prepaid.