How to Find an OTP or SMS Code on Your Phone

Your OTP is usually in your texts, your email, or an app notification. On many phones it also appears above the keyboard. Here is where to look.

Where the code usually is

1. Messages app: open your texts and look for the newest message from the app or a short number.
2. Keyboard suggestion: iPhone and many Android phones offer the code above the keyboard when you tap the code box.
3. Email: check inbox, spam and promotions.
4. Inside another app: Telegram, Apple and Google often send codes to a device where you are already signed in.
5. Authenticator app: if you set one up, the code is there, not in your texts.

If you cannot find it

• On iPhone, look under Unknown Senders or Filtered in Messages.
• On Android, check the Spam and blocked folder in your messages app.
• Search your messages for the app name or the word "code".
• Turn off Do Not Disturb or Focus, which can hide notifications.

Still nothing?

Check the number or email on the account is right, wait a minute and ask once more. If the app offers a call or email instead, try that. Our guide to codes not received covers the next steps.

Codes sent by call

Some apps read the code out in an automated call instead of a text. Answer, listen for the digits, and type them in; the call usually repeats the code twice. If you missed it, check whether the app offers to call again. Calls are handy when texts are filtered or delayed, but landlines and numbers on silent may miss them, so keep the phone nearby and the volume up.

FAQ

Where do OTP messages go on iPhone?

Into Messages. If the sender is unknown and filtering is on, look under Unknown Senders.

Can I see an OTP I deleted?

Usually not. Ask the app for a new code instead.

Why does the code not appear above my keyboard?

The feature only works for some message formats. Copy the code from the message instead.

Related: iPhone not receiving codes · codes on Android · what an OTP is.