Riot Games is introducing Riot Mobile Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in Valorant as part of its ongoing effort to reduce smurfing, boosting, and account sharing. The new system, launching in beta across North America, LATAM, Brazil, and Korea, will require certain players to verify their accounts through Riot Mobile before entering Competitive mode.
Why Riot mobile MFA is being introduced
According to Riot, playing against smurfs remains one of the most frustrating experiences in Valorant. A large portion of smurfing comes from shared or purchased accounts, which undermine the game’s matchmaking balance and competitive integrity. By requiring MFA verification through Riot Mobile, Riot aims to:
- Reduce the number of shared and purchased accounts
- Increase account security against theft
- Identify and restrict smurfing and boosting more effectively
Riot shared that 80–90% of stolen accounts do not have MFA enabled, so enabling it also helps protect your account from being compromised.
Key terms defined
To clarify how this system works, Riot defined several key terms related to the update:
- Alternate Account – Any account played by someone who already owns another account.
- Shared Account – An account deliberately shared with someone who isn’t the original owner.
- Smurfing – The act of deliberately deceiving the matchmaker to be placed in matches below your true skill level.
- Boosting – A type of smurfing where a high-ranked player uses or joins a lower-ranked account to inflate ranks.
Who will be required to use Riot mobile MFA
- Shared Accounts – Detected accounts that appear to be played by multiple users will need to activate MFA starting in patch 11.09.
- Ascendant and Higher Players – Starting in patch 11.10, all Ascendant, Immortal, and Radiant players will be required to verify their accounts through Riot Mobile.
Who is not affected
- Players who don’t share their accounts won’t see any change.
- Owning multiple accounts is allowed, provided none are shared.
- MFA remains optional for most players but is strongly recommended for added security.
Why ascendant+ players are included
Riot explained that high-ranked players can have the biggest impact when smurfing and are more likely to be involved in win trading or boosting. Adding MFA verification for this group helps maintain competitive integrity at the top levels of play.
What you’ll need to do
If your account is flagged as shared or is in the Ascendant rank or higher:
- Install the Riot Mobile app on your device.
- Complete a one-time verification process to link your mobile device to your Riot account.
- Once verified, MFA will be activated, offering added account protection and eligibility for free in-game rewards.
Timeline of MFA rollout
- Patch 11.08 – Players can now report “Rank Manipulation” (including smurfing and boosting) in-game to improve Riot’s detection systems.
- Patch 11.09 – Riot Mobile MFA becomes mandatory for shared accounts in NA, LATAM, BR, and KR; bans begin for purchased or boosting accounts.
- Patch 11.10 – MFA required for Ascendant+ players in the same regions.
- 2026 – Riot Mobile MFA expands globally to include AP and EU regions for shared and Ascendant+ accounts.
What’s next
This rollout is currently in beta, and Riot plans to adjust MFA based on player feedback before expanding globally. Riot encourages players to share their experiences or report issues such as:
- False detection as a shared account
- Problems with completing mobile verification
- General concerns about MFA usability
After the beta, Riot plans to implement MFA globally and possibly extend it to additional account tiers to further protect competitive integrity.
For more Valorant updates, competitive insights, and patch news, check out Pley.gg
Source: Riot Games
