How-To

How to Automatically Delete 2FA Verification Codes on iPhone

By Brian Burgess

Updated November 16, 2023

If you’re using 2FA on your iPhone, you’ll need to manage your verification codes. We’ll show you how to automatically delete them here.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts and is a vital part of keeping your online accounts secure. When using it, you need to enter an additional text or email code to sign in, which can clutter up the Messages app.

Thankfully, if your iPhone or iPad runs iOS 17 or higher, you can enable a feature to delete 2FA verification codes automatically.  The useful feature cleans up verification code texts in the Messages and Mail apps, but it isn’t enabled by default.

To automatically delete 2FA verification codes on your iPhone, follow the steps below.

How Does 2FA Work on an iPhone?

Before you get started, you’ll need to understand how the code deletion feature works on your iPhone.

When you receive an authentication code in the Messages or Mail app, it’ll be deleted automatically if you use the autofill feature at the top of your keyboard.

When a code arrives, tap the appropriate field in your 2FA app or page. Next, tap the code to autofill it.

How to Automatically Delete 2FA Codes on iPhone

If you don’t use the autofill feature, the verification codes will remain in your text messages or emails. You’ll then need to delete them manually.

To avoid this, you’ll need to configure your iPhone to delete the codes for you. This will work whether you use autofill or not.

To automatically delete 2FA codes on an iPhone:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Swipe down the list and select Passwords. You’ll need to sign in or use Face ID to unlock the section.
3. Next, tap Password Options.
4. Scroll to the Verification Codes section and toggle on the Clean Up Automatically switch.

Once you complete the steps, Messages or Mail will automatically delete the verification codes after you use them. If you need a code later for some reason, you can recover deleted messages on your iPhone.

Apple Makes Using 2FA Easier

Automatic code deletion is a welcome feature if you are tired of two-factor verification codes clogging up Messages and Mail on your iPhone or iPad. It helps keep your text and emails more manageable.

Remember to enable 2FA everywhere it is available. The extra layer of protection is available on most popular sites and services. For example, you can enable 2FA on LinkedIn to protect your professional account or enable 2FA on your Reddit account to ensure the social network has additional security.

You’ll also want to protect your core accounts using 2FA. For instance, you’ll definitely want to add 2FA to a Microsoft account and set up two-step verification on your Apple account.