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Digital Legacy Tips

Beyond your vault, there are many things you can set up now to make things easier for your loved ones later. Most major platforms have legacy features — they're just not well advertised.

🍎Apple / iPhone

Legacy Contact

Apple's Legacy Contact feature lets you designate someone who can access your Apple ID data after you pass away. They'll be able to access your photos, messages, notes, files, and more.

How to set it up:

  1. Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Sign-In & Security
  2. Tap Legacy Contact
  3. Tap Add Legacy Contact
  4. Choose someone and share your access key with them

Your Legacy Contact will receive an access key. Combined with a death certificate, they can request access to your account from Apple.

Device Passcode

Consider writing down your iPhone/iPad passcode and storing it securely (perhaps noted in this vault). Without it, your family may need to go through Apple's formal process even with Legacy Contact access.

🔍Google

Inactive Account Manager

Google's Inactive Account Manager lets you decide what happens to your Google data (Gmail, Drive, Photos, YouTube, etc.) if your account becomes inactive.

How to set it up:

  1. Go to myaccount.google.com/inactive
  2. Set how long to wait before considering your account inactive (3-18 months)
  3. Add trusted contacts who will be notified
  4. Choose which data to share with each contact
  5. Optionally set the account to auto-delete

Google will attempt to contact you before triggering any actions, so there's no risk of accidental activation.

👤Facebook

Legacy Contact

Facebook allows you to choose a Legacy Contact — someone who can manage your memorialized profile after you pass. They can write a pinned post, respond to friend requests, and update your profile picture.

How to set it up:

  1. Go to Settings → Account Center → Personal Details
  2. Tap Account Ownership and Control
  3. Tap Memorialization Settings
  4. Choose a Legacy Contact from your friends list

Request Account Deletion

Alternatively, you can request that Facebook delete your account after death rather than memorialize it. This option is in the same Memorialization Settings area.

📷Instagram

Instagram (owned by Meta) offers memorialization for accounts of deceased users. A "Remembering" label appears above the profile name.

Family members can request memorialization or account removal by contacting Instagram directly with proof of death.

Tip: If you use Facebook, your Instagram Legacy Contact settings may be linked. Check both platforms to ensure your preferences are consistent.

𝕏X (Twitter)

X doesn't have a legacy contact feature, but family members or estate executors can request account deactivation by submitting a request with proof of death.

If you want to preserve your tweets, consider using Twitter's archive download feature (Settings → Your Account → Download an archive) and storing it somewhere your family can access.

💼LinkedIn

LinkedIn allows verified family members to memorialize or remove an account. Memorialized profiles show "Remembering [Name]" and are removed from suggestions and messages.

Request this through LinkedIn's help center with documentation of your relationship and proof of death.

🔐Password Managers

If you use a password manager, check if it has emergency access features:

  • 1Password: Family plans allow you to designate family organizers who can help recover accounts.
  • LastPass: Emergency Access lets you designate trusted contacts who can request access after a waiting period.
  • Bitwarden: Emergency Access with configurable wait times (available on Premium plans).
  • Dashlane: Emergency contact feature with time-delayed access.

Important: Your password manager master password is the key to your digital life. Consider writing it down and storing it securely — perhaps with your will or in a safe deposit box.

🏦Financial Accounts

Beneficiary Designations

Most financial accounts allow you to designate beneficiaries directly, which bypasses probate:

  • Bank accounts: Add a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary
  • Investment accounts: Add a TOD (Transfer on Death) beneficiary
  • Retirement accounts: Always have beneficiaries on 401(k)s and IRAs
  • Life insurance: Review and update beneficiaries periodically

Joint Account Access

If your spouse or partner isn't already a joint owner on critical accounts, consider whether adding them makes sense. Joint accounts automatically pass to the surviving owner.

📱Digital Subscriptions

Make a list of your recurring subscriptions so your family can cancel them:

  • Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
  • Cloud storage (iCloud, Dropbox, Google One)
  • Software subscriptions (Adobe, Microsoft 365)
  • Memberships and apps
  • Domain registrations and web hosting

Many of these can be found by searching your email for "subscription" or "receipt" or checking your bank/credit card statements.

📧Email Access

Email is often the key to everything else — password resets, account recovery, finding subscriptions, and contacting people. Consider:

  • Using Google's Inactive Account Manager (see above)
  • Writing down your email password in your vault or with your will
  • Setting up a trusted person as a recovery contact
  • Using a shared family password manager

₿Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets

Cryptocurrency requires special attention — without your private keys or seed phrase, your assets are permanently inaccessible. Billions in crypto have been lost this way.

Self-Custody Wallets

  • Seed phrase: Store your 12 or 24-word recovery phrase securely — consider a fireproof safe, safe deposit box, or metal backup plate
  • Hardware wallets: Note the PIN and location of your Ledger, Trezor, etc.
  • Never store seed phrases digitally unless in an encrypted vault like this one

Exchange Accounts

For crypto on exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.), ensure your family can access:

  • Account login credentials
  • 2FA backup codes
  • Beneficiary designation (if the exchange offers it)

Warning: Some jurisdictions treat crypto inheritance differently than traditional assets. Consider consulting an estate attorney familiar with digital assets.

🔑Two-Factor Authentication

2FA protects your accounts, but can lock out your family. Plan for this:

  • Backup codes: Most services provide one-time backup codes. Save these in your vault or with your passwords.
  • Authenticator apps: If you use Google Authenticator, Authy, or similar, note that Authy allows multi-device sync. Google Authenticator now offers backup.
  • Hardware keys: If you use YubiKeys, consider registering a backup key and storing it separately.
  • Phone-based 2FA: If your family has access to your phone, SMS codes will still work. But note that some accounts may lock after inactivity.

Pro tip:

Create a simple document listing which accounts use 2FA and where the backup codes are stored. This alone can save hours of frustration.

🪟Microsoft

Microsoft accounts control Outlook/Hotmail email, OneDrive, Xbox, and Windows licenses.

Next of Kin Process:

Microsoft allows next of kin to request content from a deceased person's account. You'll need to provide documentation including a death certificate and proof of relationship. Visit Microsoft's Next of Kin support page.

Unlike Google, Microsoft doesn't have a pre-configured inactive account manager. Document your account credentials separately.

📦Amazon

Amazon accounts often contain years of purchase history, Kindle libraries, and Prime benefits.

  • Kindle content: Unfortunately, Kindle books are licensed, not owned. They cannot be transferred. Consider downloading DRM-free versions where available.
  • Amazon Photos: If you use Amazon Photos, ensure someone can access the account to download family pictures.
  • Active subscriptions: Prime, Subscribe & Save, Audible — note these so they can be cancelled.

Amazon's policy allows account closure upon request from estate executors with proper documentation.

🏠Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices can become inaccessible without the controlling account:

  • Smart locks: Document master codes and how to reset them. Your family may need physical access to the house.
  • Security cameras: Ring, Nest, etc. — note the account credentials and how to transfer ownership.
  • Thermostats, lights, speakers: Usually tied to Google, Amazon, or Apple accounts. Make sure someone has access to the controlling account.
  • Garage door openers: Smart garage systems may need account access to reprogram.

Tip: If you use Apple HomeKit, adding a family member to your Home gives them control of all connected devices — a simple way to ensure continuity.

🎮Gaming Accounts

Digital game libraries can be worth thousands of dollars but are notoriously non-transferable:

  • Steam: No official transfer policy. Sharing credentials is against ToS but is the only practical option for family access.
  • PlayStation: Sony allows account closure but not transfer. Consider game sharing with family while alive.
  • Xbox: Microsoft's next-of-kin process may help, but digital licenses are typically non-transferable.
  • Nintendo: Account closure only; no transfer options.

Document login credentials in your vault. While technically against most ToS, it's often the only way to preserve access to digital game libraries.

💬Messaging Apps

Chat histories often contain important information and memories:

  • WhatsApp: End-to-end encrypted. Enable chat backup to Google Drive or iCloud. Consider exporting important chats.
  • Signal: Designed for privacy — no cloud backup by default. Messages are only on your device.
  • Telegram: Cloud-based (except Secret Chats). Account can be set to self-destruct after inactivity.
  • iMessage: Included in Apple's Legacy Contact program. Messages sync across devices if enabled.

🏥Medical Records & Healthcare Portals

Access to medical information can be crucial for surviving family members:

  • Patient portals: MyChart, patient.info, etc. — note login credentials and which healthcare providers use which systems.
  • Insurance portals: Health, dental, vision — document how to access policy information and claims history.
  • Medicare/Medicaid: Medicare.gov accounts contain important coverage information.
  • Health apps: Apple Health, Fitbit, etc. may contain useful medical history.

Note: HIPAA allows authorized representatives (usually the executor or next of kin) to access medical records of deceased individuals. Having login credentials makes this process much faster.

🌐Domains & Websites

If you own domain names or websites, they need ongoing maintenance:

  • Domain registrars: GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains — note where each domain is registered and login credentials.
  • Renewal dates: Domains expire. Missing a renewal can mean losing your domain permanently.
  • Hosting providers: Where are your websites actually hosted? How is the server accessed?
  • Email hosting: If your domain has email (you@yourdomain.com), document how it's set up.

If you have a personal blog or family website, consider whether someone should maintain it or if you want it archived (archive.org) or taken down.

📸Photo Libraries

Photos are often the most emotionally valuable digital assets:

  • Google Photos: Use Inactive Account Manager to share with a trusted contact. Consider using Google Takeout to download periodically.
  • iCloud Photos: Covered by Apple's Legacy Contact. Make sure it's enabled.
  • Amazon Photos: Document account access; no legacy features.
  • Local backups: If you have photos on external drives, note their locations and any encryption passwords.

Consider:

Setting up a shared family album (Google Photos shared album, iCloud Shared Library) so your best photos are already accessible to loved ones.

🚗Connected Vehicles

Modern vehicles are increasingly connected and may require account access:

  • Tesla: Tesla accounts control vehicle access, charging, and features. Transfer requires Tesla support and proof of ownership.
  • Other EVs: Rivian, Ford, GM, etc. — document app accounts and how to transfer vehicle ownership.
  • Connected car apps: MyChevrolet, FordPass, Toyota app — note how to access and transfer.
  • EV charging accounts: ChargePoint, Electrify America, etc.

For traditional vehicles, remember to document where titles and registration documents are kept.

💻Work & Business Accounts

If you're self-employed or own a business:

  • Business bank accounts: Document which have authorized signers and how to add new ones.
  • Payment processors: Stripe, Square, PayPal Business — document admin access.
  • Accounting software: QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Wave — note who has access.
  • Professional licenses: Note any licenses or certifications that might affect business continuity.
  • Client relationships: Consider how clients should be notified and who should handle ongoing commitments.

📋Don't Forget the Physical World

While you're thinking about digital legacy, don't forget:

  • Safe deposit box: Make sure someone knows it exists and can access it
  • Home safe: Share the combination or location of the key
  • Important documents: Will, trust, insurance policies, deeds, titles
  • Keys: House, car, storage unit, office
  • Contact list: Attorney, accountant, financial advisor, doctor