Gmail Gets Copy Code Feature for Easier OTP Access

Google is making Gmail a little more convenient for users who regularly receive verification codes through email. A new Copy code shortcut is being rolled out in the Gmail mobile apps, allowing users to copy certain two factor authentication codes without opening the email first.

The change addresses a small but common frustration. When a website or app sends a security code to Gmail, users normally have to open the message, locate the code and select the numbers or letters before copying them. The new shortcut removes several of those steps.

The Copy code option appears directly in the inbox when Gmail identifies an email containing a two factor authentication or verification code. According to reports, the shortcut is displayed below the subject line in the email preview. Tapping it places the detected code on the device clipboard, allowing the user to paste it into the relevant verification field.

The feature is particularly useful on smartphones, where selecting a short code from an email can sometimes take longer than expected. A user logging into an account on another app can copy the code from Gmail and return to the login screen without manually highlighting the text.

Gmail is rolling out the feature for both Android and iOS. Reports indicate that it is appearing in recent versions of the mobile applications, although availability can depend on the rollout stage. The feature has been spotted in Gmail for Android version 2026.09.07.x and Gmail for iOS version 6.0.260907.

The shortcut does not currently appear to be available on the Gmail web version. This means users checking email through a desktop browser may still need to open the message and copy the verification code manually.

Two factor authentication has become a common security step for online accounts. Instead of relying only on a password, services can ask users for an additional code before allowing access. These codes may arrive through SMS, an authentication application or email, depending on how an account is configured.

For people who receive these codes through Gmail, the new feature can make the process quicker. Instead of searching inside an opened message for the relevant numbers, the shortcut can provide direct access from the inbox itself.

The change is small, but it fits into a broader pattern of Google making everyday actions inside its apps faster. Gmail already provides previews for certain types of content, including attachments, and the new code shortcut uses a similar approach by presenting an action alongside the relevant email.

There is also a security point users should keep in mind. The Copy code button is only a convenience feature and does not change the purpose of two factor authentication. A verification code should still be treated as private information.

Users should never share an OTP or verification code with another person simply because they claim to be from a bank, website, app or technical support team. If someone asks for a code that was sent to the user, it is safer to verify the request through the official service rather than handing over the code.

The new Gmail feature also does not remove the need to check which account or service is requesting verification. Users should make sure they are entering the code into the intended website or application and should avoid pasting sensitive codes into unfamiliar pages.

For now, the rollout is focused on Gmail’s Android and iOS applications. Since Google is introducing the feature gradually, some users may see the Copy code option before others. Users who do not have it yet may need to wait for the feature to reach their Gmail app.

For a feature that requires only a single tap, the change could save time during everyday sign ins. It is especially handy for people who frequently switch between Gmail and another application while completing account verification.

Gmail’s new Copy code shortcut is therefore less about adding a major new capability and more about removing an unnecessary step from a task people already perform regularly. For mobile users, that small improvement could make email based verification noticeably quicker.