LONDON (AP) — Many of us have built up a significant digital archive packed with selfies, emails, videos, and more across our social media and online platforms. Have you ever thought about what becomes of all that when we pass away?
When the time comes, it’s wise to have a will that instructs who gets your physical stuff. But don’t neglect your digital estate. friends and family may value your online memories, but without some straightforward steps, all those digital mementos can fade away. Let’s explore how you can get your digital ducks in a row for your loved ones.
Managing Your Apple Account
If you’re an Apple user, you can designate a legacy contact who can access your data after you’re gone. It’s a secure way to ensure trusted folks can get to your photos, messages, and files. Just a heads up, to activate this feature, you’ll need a recent Apple device—like an iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 15.2 or above, or a MacBook with macOS Monterey 12.1.
To set it up on your iPhone, going through Settings > Sign-in & Security > Legacy Contact. You can add one or more people, and they won’t need any Apple ID. Just don’t forget to share an access key with them; you can send it digitally or keep a printed copy.
Note: not all files can be shared—the digital rights-protected content like music, movies, and certain stored passwords can’t be passed on. Plus, remember that the backup goes away after three years if not accessed, as Apple will eventually delete the account.
Google’s Approach
Google offers the Inactive Account Manager, which lets you pass on your data if the platform detects your inactivity. When you set this up, you’ll decide how long Google should wait—anywhere from three to 18 months—before labeling your account as inactive. After that, it can notify up to ten chosen contacts.
You can even send a note to let them know what’s going on, and optionally provide a download link for your data like emails, photos, and YouTube content. If you go for automatic deletion, keep in mind they must grab any data within three months of inactivity.
Facebook and Instagram
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can memorialize your accounts when users pass away, preserving legacy for family and friends. If a user dies, Meta allows a memorialization request, which can be filed by a friend or relative.
It’s a good idea for Facebook users to set up a legacy contact to manage their memorial accounts. This person can handle friend requests and update posts but can’t change private messages or erase anything that was posted before. You can only choose someone who is also on Facebook as the contact.
If needed, family members can request account deletion by sending necessary documents like a death certificate.
Dealing with TikTok
For TikTok users, after someone has unfortunately passed away, there’s an option to request memorial status for their account via settings. Simply go to the Report a Problem section, navigate through Account and profile, and you’ll find an option to manage the deceased user’s account.
This will change the account status to “Remembering,” meaning no one will be able to log in and access or modify any content.
Handling X (formerly Twitter)
Unlike others, X doesn’t have a legacy contact option. However, family or authorized representatives can submit a request to deactivate an account of a deceased user.
Concerning Passwords
Beyond big platforms, chances are you have plenty of other digital accounts that your loved ones might need to reach. Your best bet is not just jotting everything down in a notebook, as physical copies come with risks. Instead, think about a password manager that offers an emergency access feature.
Secure vaults like Keeper, Bitwarden, and NordPass can let you assign trusted contacts who can get your password keys in case of emergencies, including after death. Just keep in mind that those who you trust with your digital legacies will need to use the same password manager, and some services may require a subscription.
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