Life is unpredictable and full of surprises. We just never know what can, or will happen. I have had not one, but two friends pass away recently. Myself, and their loved ones took time to grieve and cope with the loss. But at some point their loved ones come to the reality of planning, organizing and moving forward.
We may try to prepare for most things, but when it comes to our digital lives, we may still leave our loved ones in the dark when it comes to your devices and online accounts. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, you may know how frustrating it can be to deal with their digital accounts.
Why a Legacy Contact is Important
The devices we use everyday contain tons of personal and private information. Think of your phone, tablet, and online accounts is kinda like your life’s digital footprint. They include photos, messages, financial data, playlists, and even digital files and unfinished projects. But what happens if you pass away? Without a digital legacy contact, your loved ones could be locked out of important accounts, photos, memories, and more.
When my father passed away I faced a nightmare. It was impossible to gain access to locked devices, online accounts, and those cherished photos of his grandkids (my kids!) and family vacations. These were all trapped behind passwords, passcodes, and second factors that only my father knew. It was not only heartbreaking, it was so stressful. But it is also preventable.
What Exactly is a Legacy Contact?
You can think of your legacy contact is kinda like your digital executor. This is someone who can access your Apple devices, photos, documents, and accounts after you’re gone. So, with the right preparation, your family won’t have to struggle by guessing passwords or waste time calling customer service. It’s like giving them the key to your digital vault.
How to Set Up a Legacy Contact on Your Apple Devices and iCloud
Apple makes it pretty easy to set up a Legacy Contact. Here’s how:
How you can set up a Legacy Contact on your iPhone or iPad:
Step 1: Open Your Settings
- Head over to Settings on your device.
- Tap on your name (Apple ID) at the top.
Step 2: Access Password & Security
- Choose Sign-In & Security.
- Scroll down to the Legacy Contact option and select it.
Step 3: Add Your Legacy Contact
- Tap Add Legacy Contact.
- Authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
- Choose someone you trust (family member or close friend).
Step 4: Send the Legacy Contact Access Key
- Apple will create an access key. You can send it via iMessage or print it out.
- Make sure your contact keeps this access key safe, as they’ll need it later to access your data.
Step 5: Confirm and Finalize
- Confirm your choice and let your Legacy Contact know.
- They’ll have access after showing proof of your passing along with the access key.
For more details please visit: How to add a Legacy Contact for your Apple Account
What Can Your Legacy Contact Access?
Your chosen Legacy Contact will be able to access:
- Photos and videos stored in iCloud
- Notes, documents, and reminders
- Contacts and calendar entries
- Messages and emails stored in iCloud
Keep in mind, your Legacy Content won’t be able to directly access any financial information, passwords stored in Keychain, or licensed media like music or movies.
Why You’ll Need Access After Losing a Loved One
Imagine the heartbreaking feeling of losing someone close. Now add the pain of being unable to access memories or important documents they’ve left behind digitally. Some common situations include:
- Retrieving family photos and videos
- Access important financial documents and communications
- Closing or managing social media and email accounts
- Preserving important memories for future generations
Don’t leave your family frustrated when they’re already dealing with grief. It’s important to take care of them and make sure they have everything they need.
Here are some tips for setting up a legacy contact:
- Store your Legacy Contact Access Key in multiple safe locations.
- Regularly remind your legacy contact about their role and confirm they have your access key stored securely.
- Ensure your family understands that this service exists to ease their burden in difficult times.
Now, let’s talk about what if you’re not an Apple user?
If you’re using Android or Google, there are similar options available:
- Google’s Inactive Account Manager lets you decide what happens to your Google data if your account becomes inactive. Set it up by heading to your Google Account settings under Data & Privacy.
- For Android devices, consider documenting passwords securely using trusted password managers or encrypted notes shared securely with your loved ones.
Setting up a legacy contact is not just practical, it’s also thoughtful. It’s a way to give your loved ones some peace of mind and make sure that your digital life is taken care of. Take a few minutes to set it up now, and rest easy knowing that you’ve left one less burden for the people you care about most.
Rock on, live boldly, keep those horns up and digitally prepare like a pro with a Legacy Contact!
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