SETUP YOUR DIGITAL LEGACY
Information from some of the key technology providers on how to proactively manage your information after your death.
APple LEGACY CONTACT
Apple allows you to nominate one or more Legacy Contacts who can request access to your iCloud data after your death. This is in addition to any access you may have given family via your phone PIN and iCloud password prior to your death.
This includes things like:
* Photos
* Notes
* Files
* Messages
* Calendars
Your Legacy Contact cannot access:
* Passwords stored in iCloud Keychain
* Payment cards
* Purchased media licences
How to set it up;
On your iPhone or iPad:
Settings → Your Name → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact
Choose one or more trusted people and give them the generated access key.
Official instructions - Apple Legacy Contact Guide
GOOGLE - ANDROID, GMAIL, PHOTOS, DRIVE, YOUTUBE
Google doesn’t use a Legacy Contact.
Instead it has Inactive Account Manager.
If Google detects that you haven’t used your account for a period you choose (3–18 months), it can:
* notify trusted people
* give them access to selected data
* optionally delete your account afterwards
This covers:
* Gmail
* Google Photos
* Google Drive
* Calendar
* Contacts
* YouTube
* and most Google services.
Set it up
Visit:
Google Account → Data & Privacy → Inactive Account Manager
Facebook lets you nominate one Legacy Contact.
After your death they can:
* manage a memorialised profile
* update profile and cover photos
* pin posts
* accept friend requests
They cannot
* read your Messenger messages
* log into your account
* change previous posts
You can instead choose to have Facebook permanently delete your account after your death.
Set it up
Settings → Memorialisation Settings
Instagram offers a Legacy Contact option similar to facebook
If you want someone to look after your profile if it’s memorialized after you’ve passed away, you can set a legacy contact.
Your legacy contact will be able to make some decisions about your profile once it’s memorialized.
microsoft
Microsoft enable you to set up a Legacy contact for access to OneDrive.
This gives your chosen contact read-only access to your files and folders (including photos) inside OneDrive
Set it up;
Sign in to your OneDrive at onedrive.com and select Settings then Digital legacy.
password managers
Password managers do not typically include Legacy Contact options, it is therefore vital that you record your Password Manager details in the Technology Planning document - and provide the master password separately to your estate executors.
our recommendation
Even if you only complete q few things, make them these:
1. Provide access details for your main email account to your chosen executor or family member.
2. Add an Apple Legacy Contact (if you use Apple devices).
3. Configure Google’s Inactive Account Manager (if you use Gmail or Android).
4. Record your password manager details in your Technology Planning documents so your executor or trusted family member can access your digital life when the time comes.