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🔐 Two-Factor Auth (2FA)

What Happens to Your Locked Out — No 2FA Access Account When You Die

Emergency guideFor trusted contacts
If the deceased had 2FA enabled and you do not have the authenticator device or backup codes, you will need to go through each platform's account recovery process. This is the most common reason families cannot access digital accounts.

Quick Facts

With backup codes

Use them to log in

Without backup codes

Account recovery required

Timeline

Days to weeks

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Check for backup codes first

Look in the vault for documented backup code locations. Check drawers, safes, filing cabinets. Check the deceased's email for "backup codes" messages from when 2FA was set up.

2

Check the deceased's phone

If you have the phone and can unlock it (Face ID, fingerprint, or PIN), open the authenticator app. The 2FA codes will still work. Screenshot them immediately.

3

Contact each platform individually

Each platform has its own account recovery process for locked-out users. Most require identity verification and proof of death. Use the platform-specific guide in this library.

4

Consider a digital estate specialist

For complex cases (crypto, many accounts), a specialist can navigate recovery processes. Passed Plan can connect you with vetted professionals.

Document Now Checklist

  • This guide is for trusted contacts, not for vault setup
  • Refer to each platform's specific guide for recovery steps

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Locked Out — No 2FA Access. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Related Guides

🔐

What is 2FA?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the single biggest barrier families face when accessing accounts after death. If 2FA is enabled on an account and nobody has the authenticator device or backup codes, the account may be permanently inaccessible.

Google Authenticator

Open Google Authenticator → tap your profile icon → turn on sync. This backs up your 2FA codes to your Google account so they survive phone loss.

Authy

Settings → Devices → Allow multi-device. This lets you add Authy to multiple phones or tablets. If multi-device is off and the phone is lost, recovery is extremely difficult.

Browse all 1,800+ platform guidesDigital Readiness ScoreWhat is 2FA? guideGoogle Authenticator guide

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