In 2025, using a password alone is like leaving your digital front door wide open. But here’s the twist—using SMS-based Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) may not be much better.
While SMS 2FA became a popular and accessible security option over the past decade, it's increasingly being exploited by hackers using sophisticated techniques like SIM swapping, phishing, and interception. In contrast, app-based OTP (One-Time Password) authentication offers a safer, more reliable, and modern alternative.
In this blog, we’ll explain why SMS-based 2FA is dangerous, how app-based OTPs work, and why switching is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your security.
App-based OTPs generate Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) within a secure authenticator app on your device. These codes:
Are generated locally and offline
Refresh every 30 seconds
Aren’t stored or sent over a network
Are tied to your device, not your phone number
Apps like ours offer TOTP + HOTP support, biometric locks, encrypted cloud sync, and push approvals—everything SMS can’t.
📖 Want to know how TOTP works?
👉 Understanding TOTP vs HOTP – Secure Code Generation Explained
1. SIM Swapping Is a Growing Threat
SIM swapping occurs when a hacker tricks or bribes your carrier into transferring your number to their SIM card. Once they have your number, they can:
Receive your SMS codes
Reset passwords using your phone number
Lock you out of your accounts
2. Text Messages Can Be Intercepted
SMS travels over cellular networks, which can be tapped using:
Rogue cell towers (a.k.a. Stingrays)
Flaws in SS7 signaling protocol
Malware on your phone or SIM card
Hackers can impersonate you by calling your carrier, answering a few verification questions, and getting your SIM transferred. This has happened to:
Crypto investors
Celebrities
Tech professionals
App-based OTPs bypass telecom providers altogether.
Anyone with physical access to your phone can read incoming SMS 2FA codes from your lock screen. App-based OTPs, on the other hand, can be secured with:
Fingerprint (Touch ID)
Face recognition
Custom PIN codes
Why Biometric Locks Are Essential for 2FA Apps
Even Google, Microsoft, and NIST have moved away from recommending SMS for two-factor authentication.
"Don’t rely on SMS-based authentication. Use a mobile app or hardware token instead."
— Google Security Blog
Download our Authenticator App on Android, iOS, or macOS
Go to your account settings on platforms like Gmail, Facebook, or Binance
Choose “Use Authenticator App” instead of “Text Message”
Scan the QR code or manually enter the setup key
Test it, then disable SMS as your 2FA method
If you’re still using SMS 2FA, now is the time to upgrade. Hackers are targeting phone numbers more aggressively than ever—and they don’t need your permission to swap SIMs or steal texts.
App-based OTPs are:
✅ More secure
✅ More reliable
✅ Easier to manage
✅ Endorsed by global security leaders
