The iPhone provides a convenient feature that automatically deletes One-Time Password (OTP) messages after they have been used for Autofill, helping to keep your Messages app organized and free from clutter.
Enabling Automatic OTP Deletion
To activate or deactivate the automatic deletion of verification codes on your iPhone, follow these straightforward steps:
- Access Settings: Open the
Settingsapp on your iPhone. - Navigate to General: Scroll down and tap on
General. - Find Autofill & Passwords: Locate and select
Autofill & Passwords. - Manage Verification Codes: Under the
Verification Codessection, tap onDelete After Use. - Toggle the Feature: Flip the toggle switch next to
Delete After Useto the on (green) position to enable it, or to the off position to disable it.
Step-by-Step Guide: Auto-Deleting Verification Codes
For a quick reference, the process is summarized in the table below:
| Step | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Settings | Tap the Settings icon on your iPhone's home screen. |
| 2 | Go to General | From the main Settings menu, select General. |
| 3 | Select Autofill & Passwords | Find and tap on Autofill & Passwords. |
| 4 | Choose Delete After Use | Under Verification Codes, tap on Delete After Use. |
| 5 | Toggle On/Off | Switch the toggle to On (green) to enable auto-deletion, or Off to disable it. |
Benefits of Auto-Deleting OTPs
Activating this feature offers several practical advantages for iPhone users:
- Declutter Your Inbox: Prevents your Messages application from becoming overloaded with single-use, expired codes, making it easier to navigate.
- Enhanced Privacy: Reduces the lingering presence of sensitive, time-sensitive information on your device after its immediate use.
- Streamlined Experience: Contributes to a cleaner and more efficient messaging history, simplifying the process of locating important conversations.
Important Considerations
- This feature is specifically designed for verification codes that your iPhone recognizes and uses with its built-in Autofill functionality (e.g., when a code suggestion appears above the keyboard).
- Messages that are not identified as OTPs or are not utilized by the Autofill system will not be automatically deleted.
- The deletion of the OTP message occurs after the code has been successfully employed for autofill.
