Legacy contacts guide
Apple, Google, and Facebook each offer an official way to choose who can be given access after you pass. Here is a plain overview. Our team can set these up with you.
Apple Legacy Contact
A Legacy Contact is someone you choose to have access to certain data in your Apple Account after your death, such as photos, messages, notes, files, and device backups. You can add more than one person, and they do not need an Apple device.
- Where to find it on iPhone or iPad: Settings, then your name, then Sign-In and Security, then Legacy Contact.
- It needs iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, or macOS Monterey 12.1 or later.
- Apple creates an access key for each contact. Your contact needs the access key and a death certificate to request access. Apple suggests keeping a printed copy with your estate papers.
- Good to know: a Legacy Contact cannot see passwords saved in iCloud Keychain, or purchased movies, music, and books. That is one reason a separate password plan matters.
Source: Apple Support, How to add a Legacy Contact
Google Inactive Account Manager
Google lets you decide what happens if your account goes unused for a period you choose: 3, 6, 12, or 18 months. Google contacts you first by text and email to make sure.
- You can choose up to 10 trusted people to notify, and pick which data each can download, such as Gmail, Google Photos, or Drive.
- You can write a message for them, and set an automatic email reply.
- You can also choose whether the account should be deleted afterward.
Source: Google Account Help, About Inactive Account Manager
Facebook legacy contact and memorialization
Facebook lets you choose a legacy contact to look after your profile once it is memorialized, which adds "Remembering" next to your name. You can instead choose to have your account deleted after death.
- A legacy contact can write a pinned post, update the profile picture and cover photo, and respond to new friend requests.
- If you allow it, they can download a copy of the photos, posts, and profile information you shared.
- They cannot log in as you or read your private messages.
Source: Facebook Help Center, Legacy Contacts
Company features change from time to time. During your plan, we check the current steps on your own devices and accounts with you.
We are a technology help company, not a law firm. We do not give legal, tax, or financial advice, and this plan does not replace a will, trust, or power of attorney. We are glad to work alongside your estate attorney, financial advisor, or executor so your digital plan fits with the rest of your estate plan.