Glossary

What is OTP (one-time password)?

OTP channels, team delivery, and how to stop forwarding codes in chat.

Definition

An OTP (one-time password) is a code valid for a single authentication attempt or brief window. Delivery channels include SMS, authenticator apps (TOTP), and hardware tokens.

Team operational context

OTP forwarding in Slack is the anti-pattern. Shared MFA platforms deliver OTP to named people. SMS and TOTP cover most vendor flows.

Examples

Six-digit SMS code for banking portal.
Authenticator TOTP at cloud console login.
Recovery OTP during account lockout.

Deliver OTP with governance

MultiMFA SMS and TOTP.

Start Free Trial MultiMFA SMS

How teams apply this in practice

Classify OTP channel
SMS vs app-generated vs email.
Stop chat forwarding
Route to MultiMFA SMS or TOTP viewers.

MultiMFA

TOTP

MultiMFA TOTP

Shared TOTP enrollment with viewer governance.

Try TOTP

Web Authenticator

MultiMFA Authenticator

Individual web-based TOTP vaults for phone-free teams.

Explore Authenticator

SMS

MultiMFA SMS

Shared SMS verification for operational accounts.

Try SMS

Frequently asked questions

How does OTP relate to shared team access?

Teams share OTP when billing, admin, or vendor portals text or display codes to a collective login—use governed recipients/viewers.

Can MultiMFA help operationalize this for teams?

Yes. MultiMFA TOTP and SMS provide governed second-factor delivery—recipients and viewers—without cloning seeds to many phones or forwarding texts in chat. Start with a 14-day trial on one shared login.

Is this the same as a password manager?

Password managers store credentials; some store OTP fields. MultiMFA focuses on second-factor delivery and visibility for accounts that must stay shared—complementary to vaults, not a full replacement.

Can OTP be reused?

No—valid OTPs are single-use and short-lived by design.

More questions? Contact support or read our security overview.

Team OTP without relay

Purpose-built shared MFA.

Start Free Trial Glossary: TOTP