You might already have access to useful digital legacy planning tools, and you don’t need to pay for another subscription.
Consider how much personal information you keep in your Apple or Google account.
These accounts may store photos, emails, contacts, documents, calendars, and other records.
For many families, these digital memories and records can’t be replaced.
Luckily, Apple and Google have tools to help you decide what happens to some of your account information after you pass away or stop using your account for a long time.
Apple Legacy Contact
With Apple’s Legacy Contact feature, you can choose someone to request access to certain information from your Apple Account after you pass away.
This might include certain photos, notes, messages, files, and other account data.
It doesn’t give access to everything. For example, Apple does not include iCloud Keychain passwords, passkeys, or some purchased content.
How to Set Up an Apple Legacy Contact
On a compatible iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Select Sign-In & Security.
- Tap Legacy Contact.
- Select Add Legacy Contact.
- Choose the person you want to designate.
- Follow Apple's instructions to share or print the access key.
You can choose more than one Legacy Contact if you want.
The person you choose doesn’t have to own an Apple device.
What Happens After Death?
The designated person generally needs:
- The access key created when they were designated
- A death certificate
- Any additional documentation required under applicable procedures
Apple will review the request before giving access to the eligible data.
Give your Legacy Contact the access key while you’re alive and make sure they know where to find it later.
For current instructions, visit Apple's official Legacy Contact guide.
Google Inactive Account Manager
Google handles this a bit differently.
With Google’s Inactive Account Manager, you can decide what happens to certain account data if your Google Account isn’t used for a set amount of time.
This feature isn’t just for after someone passes away. It also works if you stop using your account for other reasons.
What Can Google Inactive Account Manager Do?
Depending on your selections, the service can:
- Notify designated contacts after prolonged inactivity
- Share selected categories of account data
- Allow you to choose different information for different contacts
- Arrange for account deletion after the applicable process
You can pick up to ten people to get the information you choose.
How to Set It Up
- Visit Google Inactive Account Manager.
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Choose how long your account should remain inactive before the plan is triggered.
- Provide the contact information Google requests.
- Select trusted people who should be notified.
- Choose which categories of data, if any, should be shared.
- Review whether you want the account deleted.
- Confirm and activate your plan.
Google looks at several factors to decide if your account is inactive, not just whether you’ve signed in recently.
What Should You Keep in Mind?
An inactivity plan might start even if the account holder is still alive.
For example, if someone stops using their account for a long time, the process could begin.
Choose your waiting period carefully, and review your settings periodically.
For additional information, read Google's official Inactive Account Manager guide.
Which Tool Should You Use?
If you use Apple products, consider setting up Apple Legacy Contact.
If you use Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, or other Google services, consider configuring Google Inactive Account Manager.
If you use both ecosystems, it may make sense to configure both.
These tools work differently and can’t be swapped.
What These Tools Don't Replace
Apple Legacy Contact and Google Inactive Account Manager are helpful, but they are not comprehensive estate planning systems.
They do not automatically:
- Grant access to all financial accounts
- Replace a will or power of attorney
- Transfer ownership of every digital asset
- Provide access to all passwords
- Organize insurance policies or retirement benefits
- Guarantee that all information will remain available indefinitely
It’s still helpful to keep a separate list of your important accounts and documents.
Add These Tools to Your Estate Checklist
After configuring either service, record:
- Which accounts have legacy arrangements
- Who has been designated
- Where access keys or instructions are stored
- When you last reviewed the settings
Don’t put sensitive access keys in an unsecured spreadsheet or shared document.
Taking a few minutes to set up these free features now could save your family a lot of trouble later.
These instructions are based on the provider’s documentation at the time this article was written. Menus, requirements, and features may change.