Unlocking Efficiency: Effortlessly Clear 2FA Messages on Your iPhone and iPad
Automatically delete 2FA messages on your iPhone and iPad effortlessly with the latest iOS 17 update Experience the convenience of this useful feature that enhances your device's security
Key Takeaways
Automatically Deleting 2FA Messages and Emails on iPhone and iPad
To streamline your inbox, iPhone and iPad offer a convenient feature that automatically deletes 2FA messages and emails after verification. This functionality becomes possible when utilizing the auto-fill feature on your device.
To enable the automatic deletion of 2FA codes, navigate to Settings and tap on "Passwords." From there, select "Password Options" and toggle the "Clean Up Automatically" setting located under "Verification Codes."
If you need to retrieve deleted 2FA codes, simply open the respective app (Messages or Mail) and check the deleted message folder.
Tired of your email inbox and text messages getting cluttered with two-factor authentication messages? Your iPhone can now automatically clean up after you verify your logins. Here's how.
Many apps and websites now require two-factor authentication (2FA), which greatly enhances user security. Even if your password is compromised, 2FA makes it difficult for hackers to access your accounts. However, the downside is that single-use 2FA codes can clutter your Messages app and email inbox. To address this issue, Apple has introduced a fantastic feature on iPhone and iPad that automatically deletes 2FA messages and emails. Keep in mind that this feature is turned off by default.
This feature was introduced in the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates, and it is one of our preferred "hidden" updates in iOS 17. It utilizes the autofill system of the iPhone and iPad, which is capable of detecting and copying 2FA codes from Messages or Mail. When you autofill a 2FA code for the first time in iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 (and subsequent firmware versions), your device will prompt you to choose whether you wish to automatically delete 2FA messages.
If you didn't activate this feature during the initial popup, you will need to navigate to the Settings and manually switch it on. However, there's nothing to fret about as it's incredibly simple. To enable (or disable) the automatic deletion of 2FA codes yourself, access the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Proceed to scroll down and tap on "Passwords."
Tap the "Password Options" button near the top of your screen.
Under the section labeled "Verification Codes," toggle the "Clean Up Automatically" setting.
That's it! From now on your iPhone and iPad will auto-magically cleanup behind you, deleting the emails and text messages after you've used the 2FA verification code.
If you ever need to retrieve a deleted 2FA code, you can easily do so by opening the corresponding app (Messages or Mail). For example, to access a code that was sent to you via text message, open the Messages app and tap the Edit button located in the top-left corner of your screen. From there, select "Show Recently Deleted" to view a list of recently deleted conversations, including any 2FA codes that were automatically discarded. It's important to note that these recently deleted conversations will be permanently erased within 40 days, similar to other text messages.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that iPhones and iPads will only delete a 2FA code after it has been submitted to a website using autofill. If you manually enter a verification code on a website, the accompanying 2FA message or email will not be deleted. If you wish to remove older 2FA codes from your Messages app, you can adjust the "Keep Messages" setting to a specific length of time instead of retaining them indefinitely. However, please keep in mind that this setting is global, meaning it will also delete old conversations with your family and friends if you set it to delete messages after 30 days. This approach may be considered extreme when it comes to managing 2FA codes and is not personally recommended.
We have successfully conducted tests on the automatic deletion of 2FA codes since the release of iOS 17. Thus far, we have encountered no issues, highlighting the impressive precision of this feature. Please ensure that you have installed iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or any subsequent firmware updates to access this functionality.
