PPPassed Plan
Get Started
⚡ Set Up Now

What Happens to Your Apple Legacy Contact Account When You Die

Critical — do this today2 minutes
Without Apple Legacy Contact set up BEFORE death, your family needs a court order to access iCloud. Court orders take months and cost thousands. Set this up today.

Quick Facts

Without it

Court order required

With it

Access in 7 days

Time to set up

2 minutes

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad

Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact.

2

Tap "Add Legacy Contact"

Choose someone from your contacts. They will receive an access key that unlocks your account when combined with a death certificate.

3

Send them the access key

Apple will generate an access key. Share it with your Legacy Contact via Messages, a printout, or save it to their device. They will need this key.

Document Now Checklist

  • Set up Legacy Contact: Settings → [Your Name] → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact → Add Legacy Contact
  • Note your Apple ID email address
  • List all active Apple subscriptions
  • Note if iPhone/iPad is primary photo storage

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Apple Legacy Contact. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Related Guides

Google Inactive Account Manager

Google Inactive Account Manager automatically shares your account data with designated people after a period of inactivity. Without it, your family must submit a formal request and wait weeks.

Facebook Legacy Contact

Settings & Privacy → Settings → General → Memorialization Settings.

Browse all 1,800+ platform guidesDigital Readiness ScoreGoogle Inactive Account Manager guideFacebook Legacy Contact guide

Protect your Apple Legacy Contact account — and all your others

Document your digital life in a zero-knowledge encrypted vault. 1,800+ platform guides. Dead Man's Switch. Everything your family needs.

Start your free trial →