Apple has announced a significant enhancement to its AutoFill feature with the release of iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, extending its functionality beyond native applications to include third-party apps. This development aims to streamline the user experience by reducing the time and effort required to input one-time codes and other information across various platforms.
Evolution of AutoFill
Introduced in 2018 with iOS 12, Apple’s AutoFill feature allowed users to quickly input one-time codes received via SMS directly into Safari and Messages. This functionality significantly reduced the need to manually retrieve and enter verification codes, enhancing both convenience and security. However, this feature was limited to Apple’s native applications, leaving users to manually handle codes when using third-party apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Gmail, Chrome, or Firefox.
Universal AutoFill in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe
With the advent of iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, Apple has addressed this limitation by extending AutoFill support to third-party applications. Now, when users receive a one-time code via SMS, the system will recognize and display the code above the keyboard, regardless of the app in use. This means that SMS codes delivered through platforms such as Telegram or Google Voice will appear directly within the respective app’s interface, eliminating the need to switch between apps to retrieve codes.
This enhancement also applies to third-party email clients like Gmail and Outlook. On macOS, AutoFill’s expanded support ensures that browsers such as Chrome, Edge, and Firefox benefit from the same streamlined code input process that was previously exclusive to Safari.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Apple has emphasized that all scanning and deletion processes associated with AutoFill occur on-device, ensuring that sensitive information never leaves the user’s hardware. This approach aligns with Apple’s commitment to user privacy and data security.
Developer Integration
For developers, integrating this enhanced AutoFill functionality requires minimal effort. Any text field already tagged with the one-time-code attribute will automatically inherit the new behavior on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Web developers will also benefit from this upgrade without additional coding, as the feature becomes active once users install macOS Tahoe and open a third-party browser.
Availability and User Adoption
Apple’s typical release schedule suggests that a public beta will be available within weeks of the developer seed, with the final build expected in September alongside new iPhone models. The company’s documentation indicates that universal AutoFill will be available at launch, suggesting a broad rollout in early fall.
By making AutoFill truly universal, Apple aims to encourage more users to adopt two-factor authentication (2FA) by simplifying the verification process. This enhancement not only improves security but also offers a subtle privacy benefit by reducing the chances of leaving sensitive information on the clipboard.
Conclusion
The expansion of AutoFill support to third-party apps in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe represents a significant step forward in enhancing user convenience and security. By reducing the friction associated with inputting one-time codes, Apple is making it easier for users to adopt and maintain robust security practices across a wider range of applications.
