For security reasons, we recommend two-factor authentication and verification codes for your bank accounts, email accounts, and social media. But that comes at a cost – crowding your messages and emails with OTP (one-time password) verification codes. Luckily, the iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia updates let you delete verification codes after use automatically. That’ll trim down your Inbox, and you won’t have to scroll a lot to find a particular conversation.
The ‘Delete after Use’ feature on iPhone, iPad, and Mac works smartly, for it only removes the message or email after the AutoFill feature has used the code. The primary requirement for using this feature efficiently is to turn on AutoFill (Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords) for passwords and codes on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You may want to check that first, before you proceed.
Also Read: Check Out These 31 Hidden Features in iOS 18
Delete Verification Codes Automatically on iPhone and iPad
The Messages app on your iPhone or iPad can delete verification or two-factor authentication codes automatically after you use them. That’s a safe way to declutter inbox and keep only the important ones so you don’t feel like endlessly scrolling. The best part is that the feature works even with the Apple’s native Mail app.
On your iPhone and iPad, here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on General and scroll down to select AutoFill & Passwords.
3. Turn on the toggle next to Delete After Use option.
Delete Verification Codes Automatically on Mac
Getting the Messages and Mail apps to delete verification codes automatically after you use them is also relatively easy. On macOS Sonoma or higher update running Macs, you can easily the Messages or Mail app to delete only after you use those verification codes. Here’s how to set it up on your Mac:
1. Open the System Settings on your Mac from the dock or after you click the Apple icon in the top-left corner.
2. Click General on the left sidebar and click AutoFill & Passwords on the right pane. On macOS Sonoma, you’ll need to click the Passwords section directly.
3. Turn on the toggle next to Delete after Use under the Verification Codes section.
After you turn on the auto-remove codes option on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, you’ll get a prompt that says, ‘Automatically Delete Verification Codes After Use?’ the first time. It won’t appear the next time.
Best Practice to Delete Verification Codes Automatically
We’ll need to accept that the feature only works with new verification codes, and not the old ones. That means, your existing messages containing such codes will continue to remain and you’ll need to remove them manually. So you’ll have to spend some time to trim your Inbox in the Messages or Mail app.
The AutoFill works smartly with the Messages app to copy every new verification code and paste them in an app or mobile web browser. So the best thing you can do is turn on AutoFill on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Removing the verification codes is great, but there’s no mechanism to set a timer to delay the automatic deletion. So you might have to request another code if the autofill didn’t work with a site or an app.
