How to Forward OTP & 2FA Codes to Your Email — Complete Guide
You're working on your laptop. Your bank needs a verification code. The code arrives on your phone — which is charging in the other room. Sound familiar?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS is one of the most common security measures used by banks, payment apps, crypto exchanges, and online services. But it creates a frustrating workflow: you're always reaching for your phone when you're trying to work on your computer.
The solution is simple: forward OTP codes from your iPhone to your email automatically.
What Are OTP and 2FA Codes?
OTP stands for One-Time Password — a short numeric code (usually 4-8 digits) sent via SMS to verify your identity. 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) is the security practice of requiring something you know (password) plus something you have (your phone) to log in.
Common sources of OTP/2FA codes:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Payment processors (PayPal, Stripe, Venmo)
- Crypto exchanges (Coinbase, Binance)
- Cloud services (AWS, Google Cloud)
- Social media platforms
- Email providers (Gmail, Outlook)
- Government services (IRS, SSA)
Why Forward OTP Codes to Email?
1. Work without interruptions
When you're deep in a Zoom meeting or writing code, grabbing your phone breaks your focus. With email forwarding, the code appears in a browser tab that's already open.
2. Multi-device access
Email syncs across all your devices — laptop, tablet, work computer. SMS doesn't. With forwarding, you can approve a transaction from any device with email access.
3. Backup and audit trail
SMS codes vanish into your message history. Email gives you timestamps, search, and permanent storage. If you ever need to prove when a code was sent (for disputes or auditing), your email archive has it.
4. Travel scenarios
Abroad with a local SIM? Your bank still sends codes to your home number. Email forwarding ensures you get them regardless of which SIM card is active.
How to Set It Up (3 Steps)
Setting up automatic OTP forwarding takes under 2 minutes with SMS to Email Forwarder:
Step 1: Install the app
Download SMS to Email Forwarder from the App Store. Open it, enter your email address, and verify it.
Step 2: Create a Shortcuts Automation
Open the Shortcuts app → Automation tab → New Automation → Message trigger → set to "Run Immediately" → add the "Forward SMS to Email" action. See our detailed setup guide for screenshots.
Step 3: Done!
Every SMS that arrives — including OTP codes, bank alerts, and verification texts — will now be forwarded to your email in seconds. Permanently. In the background. Even when the app is closed.
Is It Secure to Forward OTP Codes?
This is the most important question. Let's address it directly.
The security model
SMS to Email Forwarder processes messages on-device using Apple's Shortcuts Automation. Your messages never sit on our servers. The flow is:
- SMS arrives on your iPhone
- iOS Shortcuts triggers the forwarding action locally
- The app sends the message to your email via a secure API call
- The message is delivered to your inbox
- No copy is stored on our infrastructure
Email security best practices
Since your OTP codes will arrive via email, make sure your email account is properly secured:
- Use a strong, unique password for your email account
- Enable 2FA on your email itself (preferably with an authenticator app, not SMS)
- Use a dedicated email address for OTP forwarding if you want extra isolation
- Don't use a shared or work email for personal banking codes
Pro tip: Create a Gmail filter that labels all forwarded SMS messages automatically. This keeps your inbox clean while making codes easy to find when you need them.
OTP Forwarding and SMS Autofill
You might be wondering: "Doesn't iOS already auto-fill OTP codes?" Yes — but only on the same device. If you receive an SMS code on your iPhone but need to enter it on your Mac, Safari can sometimes auto-suggest it via Continuity. But this requires:
- Both devices on the same Apple ID
- Both devices on the same Wi-Fi or Bluetooth range
- Using Safari (not Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers)
- The website to support Apple's autofill API
Email forwarding works everywhere — any browser, any device, any network. It's the universal solution.
Free Plan for OTP Forwarding
If you only receive a few OTP codes per day (which is typical for personal use), the free plan is more than enough. You get 10 forwards per day and 25 per month — that covers most people's verification needs without paying anything.
For businesses or power users who receive many codes daily, the Personal or Business plans offer unlimited forwarding. See pricing in the App Store.
Forward your OTP codes in 2 minutes
Free plan available. On-device privacy. No credit card required.
Download on the App Store