> Source: [sk1000182](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk1000182)

# sk1000182 - Upcoming Changes to SMS-Based Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Notifications

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk1000182 |
| Date Created | 2026-09-23 |
| Last Modified | 2026-09-24 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Spark Management, Spark Firewall (Locally Managed), Spark Firewall (Centrally Managed) |
| Versions | Cloud, R82.00.X, R81.10.X, R81.10.X, R82.00.X |
| OS | Gaia Embedded |
| Platform | 1570R, 1575R, 1500, 1900, 2000, 1600, 1800, 1595R, 2500, 15x5 |

## Solution

Starting from **January 31, 2027** , SMS delivery for **Multi-Factor
Authentication (MFA)** and **SMS notifications** will be supported only in the following countries:

* Australia
* Austria
* Bahrain
* Brazil
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hong Kong
* Hungary
* India
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Japan
* Lithuania
* Macau
* Malta
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Singapore
* Slovakia
* South Korea
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Taiwan
* Turkey
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Uruguay

Customers with users located outside the supported countries will no longer be able to use SMS-based MFA verification or SMS notifications. As a result, they may experience one or more of the following issues:

* MFA codes sent by SMS are not delivered.
* SMS notifications are not received.
* Users are unable to complete MFA verification using SMS.
* Critical alerts and notifications configured for SMS are no longer delivered.

To avoid service disruption, affected users must update their MFA and notification configurations before **January 31, 2027**.

Recommended Actions
-------------------

### For MFA

* Migrate users from SMS-based MFA to an authenticator application.  
  Authenticator applications provide improved security and reliability than SMS-based verification.
* For VPN Remote Access MFA deployments, use the **External SMS Provider** option as an alternative.

### For Notifications

* Configure **Email Notifications** instead of SMS notifications to continue receiving alerts and updates.

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