Free Guide: How to Set Up Legacy Contacts for Facebook, Apple, and Google

Why Legacy Contacts Matter

In the physical world, we have wills and executors to handle our tangible assets. In the digital world, the transition is often much more complicated. Every year, thousands of families find themselves locked out of the precious memories, important documents, and social connections of deceased loved ones because no "Digital Executor" or Legacy Contact was designated.

A Legacy Contact is a person you choose to look after your account if you pass away. Without this designation, tech giants like Apple and Google are bound by strict privacy laws (such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act) that often prevent them from sharing account access even with legal next-of-kin. By spending ten minutes today setting up these features, you ensure that your family can access your photos and settle your digital affairs without needing a court order.

How to Set Up Apple Legacy Contacts

Apple’s Legacy Contact feature allows you to choose one or more people to access the data stored in your account after your death. This includes photos, messages, notes, files, and apps. It does not include your iCloud Keychain (passwords) or licensed media like movies or music.

Step-by-Step Instructions for iPhone/iPad:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap your Name at the top of the screen.
3. Select Sign-In & Security (on older iOS versions, this may be 'Password & Security').
4. Tap on Legacy Contact.
5. Tap Add Legacy Contact. You may need to authenticate with FaceID, TouchID, or your passcode.
6. Choose a trusted contact from your list.
7. You will be given an Access Key. You can send this via message or print a copy. Crucial: Your contact needs this key and your death certificate to request access later.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Mac (macOS Monterey 12.1 or later):

1. Go to the Apple Menu > System Settings.
2. Click Apple ID, then Sign-In & Security.
3. Click Legacy Contact and follow the prompts to add a contact and save the Access Key.

Managing Your Google Digital Afterlife

Google approaches this through a feature called the Inactive Account Manager. Instead of waiting for a death certificate, Google detects when you have stopped using your account for a set period and then triggers your plan.

Setting Up Inactive Account Manager:

1. Visit the Google Inactive Account Manager page.
2. Define the Waiting Period: Choose how long Google should wait after your last sign-in (e.g., 3 months, 6 months, or 18 months) before taking action.
3. Notify Yourself: Google will send alerts to your phone and secondary email before the time expires.
4. Choose Who to Notify: Add up to 10 people who should be notified that your account is inactive. You can grant them access to specific data (Google Photos, Drive, Gmail, etc.).
5. Optional - Delete Account: You can instruct Google to delete your entire account once all your designated contacts have downloaded the data they need.

Facebook Memorialization Settings

Facebook allows you to choose between two paths: having your account permanently deleted upon your death or appointing a Legacy Contact to manage a "Memorialized" profile.

How to Assign a Legacy Contact on Facebook:

1. Click your profile picture in the top right and select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. In the left menu, click Accounts Center (Meta).
3. Go to Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control.
4. Select Memorialization.
5. Choose your account and select a Legacy Contact from your friends list.

What a Facebook Legacy Contact can do: They can write a pinned post for your profile (e.g., sharing funeral info), respond to new friend requests, and update your profile picture. They cannot read your private messages or remove existing friends.

Digital Inheritance Best Practices

Setting up the contacts in the apps is only the first step. To ensure a smooth transition, consider these additional tips:

• Communication: Talk to your chosen contacts. Ensure they know why you've chosen them and where to find the "Access Keys" (especially for Apple).
• Password Management: While legacy contacts can get into accounts, they often can't get into specific encrypted vaults. Consider using a password manager with an "Emergency Access" feature.
• Review Annually: Relationships change. Review your legacy contacts once a year during your "digital spring cleaning" to ensure your choices are still current.
• Legal Documentation: Mention your digital assets in your physical will to give your executor legal standing if they need to contact a service provider's legal department.

Frequently Asked Questions