Battle.net Authenticator

The Battle.net Authenticator is a two-factor authentication option that adds an additional security step for a Battle.net account. It can be used alongside the Battle.net Phone Notifications which provides benefits for an account.

To setup an authenticator for a Battle.net account, one will need to use the Battle.net mobile app to set it up. Previously, the authenticator was offered as a physical device known as the Blizzard Authenticator and as its own separate mobile app, Battle.net Mobile Authenticator.

Logging into World of Warcraft

Authenticator prompt in World of Warcraft.

Launching World of Warcraft without the Battle.net desktop app will prompt the user to enter in the authenticator code (after signing in) while the desktop app automatically logs the user into WoW, bypassing the authentication requirement.

Prior to the reconnect option added in Shadowlands, disconnecting from World of Warcraft and re-entering the credentials instead of restarting WoW from the desktop app will still prompt the user for the code.

Rewards

The

[Core Hound Pup] pet.

Attaching an Authenticator and Phone Notifications to the Battle.net account will provide the following benefits:

A [Core Hound Pup] pet for World of Warcraft
Four extra backpack slots added to the default backpack for World of Warcraft
Load up to $350 as Battle.net Balance instead of being restricted to $110.^[1]

Removing either of the options will remove the rewards from the account.

Mobile app

The Battle.net Mobile Authenticator, simply called Battle.net Authenticator on the app stores, provided the authentication code for Battle.net accounts. The app cannot be used in conjunction with the physical device; one or the other can be used, but not both.^[2]

The functionality of the authenticator was merged into the Battle.net mobile app on 10 April 2023, marking the mobile app as obsolete and will soon be removed from all app stores.^[3] Following version 2.6.5 released on 6 December 2023, the change log states that the app will be retired from the app store on 5 January 2024. Any accounts that had not migrated to the new app will have their authenticator be removed from their account and would receive an email regarding a password resets.

Unsupported devices

It was possible to install and use the mobile authenticator on many other devices which were not officially supported by Blizzard, just as long as the phone was capable of running the basic java authenticator application. The information on installing the authenticator on unsupported devices was available on a website separate from Blizzard's Support site.

Originally, Blizzard officially supported the authenticator for Windows Phone and BlackBerry but was later discontinued and no longer updated.

The first version for the Blackberry was released on 8 March 2010 while the last version was on 28 February 2011.
The first version for Windows Phone was on 5 July 2011 while the last version was on 15 July 2011.

End of official J2ME support

The J2ME (Java) version of the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator was only available for download up to 13 December 2011.^[4] Since the date, already downloaded versions would still work but no new downloads are possible. The versions for Android, Windows Phone 7 and iPhone were not affected and were still available for download.

Notes and trivia

It was revealed on 27 March 2009, that Blizzard was working on this mobile app.^[5] A few days later, it was officially announced and released on 31 March 2009 on the US official forums^[6] and 2 June 2009 on the EU official forums.^[7]
This app was not available in mid to late September 2009 due to some unknown reason. Several blue posts stated this fact without the reason.^[8]
With an update on 27 March 2017, the authenticator was renamed from the Battle.net brand to the Blizzard brand. The name was reverted back following the rebrand back to Battle.net in 2021.

Gallery

Original icon
Original look
New update, new icon
"Blizzard" brand switch
New icon
2021 rebrand back to Battle.net
Version 2.6.0 migrating screen.
Version 2.6.5 retiring screen.

Physical device

A Blizzard Authenticator or Battle.net Authenticator were small physical devices (fits easily on a keyring) that enabled one to secure their Blizzard account by an additional code, consisting of 6 digits.^[9]^[10] As of 2019, the physical authenticator devices are no longer manufactured and offered by Blizzard Entertainment.^[11]^[12]

It can stop working as intended, showing a "Disabled" message on the display instead of the random 6 digits code, becoming useless. The button becomes unusable and the displayed message will not disappear.