Digital Legacy Planner

Why this matters

When someone passes, families get locked out of email, photos, social media, banking — even with a death certificate. Setting up these legacy options now saves your family weeks of paperwork and lost memories.

Apple — Legacy Contact

1. Settings → tap your name → Sign-In & Security.
2. Tap "Legacy Contact".
3. Add 1-3 trusted family members.
4. Apple generates an "access key" — share it with them now (or print + put with will).
5. After your passing, they show death certificate + access key → get your iCloud photos, notes, files.

Google — Inactive Account Manager

1. Go to myaccount.google.com → Data & Privacy.
2. Scroll to "Make a plan for your digital legacy".
3. Click "Inactive Account Manager".
4. Set timeout (3-18 months of inactivity).
5. Add up to 10 trusted contacts. Pick what they can access (Gmail, Photos, Drive, etc.).
6. Optional — auto-delete account after.

Facebook — Legacy Contact

1. Settings → Personal & Account Info → Account Ownership and Control.
2. Tap "Memorialization".
3. Add a legacy contact.
4. That person can pin tribute posts, accept friend requests, change profile photo after your passing.
5. Or choose "delete account" instead.

Password manager

Most password managers (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass) have an "Emergency Access" feature. Family member can request access. After waiting period, they get all passwords.

• 1Password — share Family vault, recovery codes.
• Bitwarden — Emergency Access (paid plan).
• Apple Passwords (iCloud Keychain) — uses Legacy Contact.

The full checklist

• Apple Legacy Contact set.
• Google Inactive Account Manager set.
• Facebook Legacy Contact set.
• Password manager Emergency Access.
• Bank/brokerage — Transfer on Death (TOD) designations.
• Crypto/PayPal/Venmo — written instructions.
• Phone passcode — written + with will.
• Computer login — written + with will.
• Email account passwords — most important. Recovery starts here.