How to Automatically Delete Verification Codes on iPhone

Your Messages and Mail inboxes are likely cluttered with one-time verification codes, or OTPs, that appear every time you sign in. Little six-digit pings from banks and shopping apps. They pile up quickly, clogging threads and posing a significant security risk. The feature introduced in iOS 17, now standard in iOS 26, lets iPhone clean them up automatically.

This guide shows how to enable “Delete After Use”, a setting that automatically removes verification code texts and emails once AutoFill retrieves the code. We cover the toggle, quick fixes when it doesn’t trigger, and a few quirks, resulting in cleaner inboxes with almost no effort.

How “Delete After Use” Feature Works on iPhone

Understanding how this feature works will help you use it effectively. Here’s what happens behind the scenes: 

• The Trigger: The feature is activated only when you use AutoFill to insert a verification code. Simply receiving a code or typing it in manually does not trigger the deletion. This is the most important thing to remember. 
• The Action: Once you use AutoFill with a verification code, the original message or email containing the code is moved to the “Recently Deleted” folder in Messages or the “Trash” folder in Mail. It’s not permanently erased immediately, giving you a window for recovery if needed. 
• The Privacy Benefit: This reduces the clutter of sensitive one-time codes sitting in your inboxes long after they’ve expired. It enhances your digital hygiene and minimizes potential security risks by ensuring these codes are not left in your messages.

Requirements and Compatibility 

Before you enable this feature, make sure your device meets these requirements:

• Operating System: You need iOS 17 or later for this to appear. It is built in on iOS 26, so if you’re running the latest version, you’re all set.
• Apps: Cleanup runs only for codes that land in Apple’s Messages and Mail apps. It will not touch codes inside WhatsApp, Telegram, or authenticator apps.
• iCloud Sync: To keep the settings consistent across your devices, ensure you’re signed into the same Apple ID and have iCloud Keychain enabled. This way, the feature works seamlessly on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

How to Enable Auto-Delete for Verification Codes (Step-by-Step)

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to General → Autofill & Passwords.
3. Toggle on Delete After Use.
   
   

Once you enable the feature, you may get a pop-up asking you to confirm the auto-deletion when you receive a verification code. Select Delete After Use, and your iPhone will delete the OTP message after the code is inserted via Autofill.

If you need a verification code message later, you can recover it within 30 days from the Recently Deleted folder of the Message and Mail app.

How to Recover an Auto-Deleted Code

If you accidentally need a code that has been auto-deleted, don’t worry; you can easily recover it:

In Messages: Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-right corner of the main conversation list and select “Recently Deleted“. From there, choose the message and tap “Recover” to restore it to your inbox.

In Mail: Go to your email account’s Bin folder. You can move the email back to your inbox by Selecting it and tapping the Folder icon.

Keep in mind that items remain in “Recently Deleted” or “Trash” for a limited time before being permanently removed, so act quickly if you need to recover something.

Troubleshooting: Why Aren’t My Codes Deleting?

If your verification codes are not disappearing automatically, here are the common causes and fixes:

• You typed it manually: This is the most common reason. Tap the AutoFill bar above the keyboard on iPhone or iPad. If you enter the digits yourself, the cleanup will not trigger.
• The Feature is Turned Off: Make sure Delete After Use is enabled in Settings > General > Autofill & Passwords > Toggle On Delete After Use. Some iOS updates reset preferences, so take a moment to review them.
• Not Retroactive: This feature applies only to new codes entered using AutoFill after the setting has been enabled. It will not delete any existing verification codes that are already stored in your Messages or Mail apps.
• Non-Standard Code Format: The service may send the code in a format that AutoFill cannot read. If the code is never suggested, it will not be deleted. Extra wording or odd punctuation can block detection.
• You’re on an Old iOS Version: This feature needs iOS 17 or later. If you are on an older build, the option will not appear. Open Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version when available.

Signing off…

“Delete After Use” is a small toggle that does real work, clearing one-time codes so they do not linger in Messages or Mail. By following this guide to automatically delete SMS texts and emails with verification codes on your iPhone, you’ve taken a significant leap towards a clutter-free messaging experience. Now, you can enjoy the convenience of automated code management, saving you time and effort in the process.

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions about this process, I’ll be happy to help.

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