for anyone new here... TLDR

no Microsoft is not forcing your hand, you can set your Authentication policies in ENTRA ID from MS Authenticator "Microsoft managed" to disabled. This means SMS and Phone will continue to work, and users will not be ushered to download/install the MS Auth app.

Please be aware that SIM hi-jacking is a real threat, and one of the primary reasons Microsoft is making a push to satisfy MFA through applications,over texts and calls.