Apple
iCloud, Photos, iPhone backups
It has a setting you can switch on today
Legacy Contact, about 5 minutes
- On an iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Sign-In & Security, then Legacy Contact.
- Add the person. Apple makes an access key you can print or send to them.
- After a death, they request access at digital-legacy.apple.com with the access key and the death certificate.
- They get photos, messages, notes, files and backups. Keychain passwords, bought films, music and books, and payment details are not included.
If nobody planned
Without a Legacy Contact, Apple generally needs a court order before it gives anyone a deceased person's data. A locked iPhone stays locked without its passcode.
Write this down for your family
- The Apple Account email and password
- The iPhone passcode
- Who the Legacy Contact is and where their access key is kept