Many people make a will for their money and property, but few think about their online life. Today, we store photos, emails, documents and memories on computers and online accounts.

Digital legacy planning means deciding what should happen to your online accounts when you can no longer manage them. This can make things much easier for your family.

For example, you may have thousands of family photos stored online. If nobody knows how to access them, those memories could be lost. You may also have subscriptions, bank accounts or social media accounts that need attention.

A good first step is to make a list of your important online accounts. Keep the list in a safe place. You should also write down how trusted family members can find your passwords if needed.

Think of your digital legacy as a photo album for the modern age. A little planning today can help protect your memories for future generations.

• Most importantly, write down your PIN and password to your phone and devices in your will. This access will make life so much easier for your loved ones.
• If you have a list of passwords, indicate where this is found. Your loved ones will not need to reach out to the companies for access.

Here are some steps to make sure you keep everything safe, secure and easy for the loved ones who you left behind.
 

1. iPhone and Apple devices (iOS)

Step 1 — Set up an Apple Legacy Contact

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap your name (Apple Account) at the top.
3. Tap Sign-In & Security.
4. Select Legacy Contact.
5. Tap Add Legacy Contact and follow the prompts.
6. Choose a trusted person and share the access key with them.

The exact menu wording may vary by iOS version.

Step 2 — Back up photos and videos (icloud – only if you have paid subscription)

1. Open Settings → your name → iCloud → Photos.
2. Turn on Sync this iPhone or Sync this device, if desired.
3. Check that photos have finished syncing.
4. Consider keeping a separate backup on a computer or external drive.

Remember: syncing is not the same as having an independent backup.

Step 3 — Check iCloud Backup

1. Go to Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
2. Turn on backup if appropriate.
3. Tap Back Up Now when connected to Wi-Fi and ready.

Verify the latest successful backup date.

Step 4 — Record important digital accounts

Make a private inventory of email accounts, social media, cloud storage, subscriptions and digital purchases. Record recovery instructions securely.

Never write passwords or recovery keys on an unsecured paper checklist.

Official guide: Apple — Add a Legacy Contact. Apple requires the access key and a death certificate for a Legacy Contact access request. A Legacy Contact does not automatically receive passwords or passkeys stored in iCloud Keychain.

2. Android phones and Google accounts

Android phones commonly use Google accounts for Gmail, Google Photos, Contacts, Drive and YouTube. The main digital legacy tool is Google Inactive Account Manager. It works with the Google Account, not exclusively with a particular phone brand.

Step 1 — Open Google Inactive Account Manager

1. Open a browser on the phone.
2. Visit myaccount.google.com/inactive.
3. Sign in to the correct Google Account.
4. Select Start or follow the setup prompts.

This is usually easier than searching through Android phone settings.

Step 2 — Choose an inactivity period

1. Decide how long Google should wait before treating the account as inactive.
2. Add and verify a mobile number.
3. Confirm your recovery email address.

Choose the period carefully. Google checks account activity, and the plan may be triggered by inactivity for reasons other than death.

Step 3 — Choose trusted contacts

1. Add the trusted person’s email address.
2. Verify their details.
3. Select which Google data they may receive, such as Gmail, Google Photos, Drive or YouTube.
4. Add a personal message if desired.

Google allows up to 10 trusted contacts, with different data selections where supported.

Step 4 — Check backups and account recovery

1. Open Google Photos and check the backup status.
2. Check Google Contacts are syncing to the correct account.
3. Review Android backup settings under Settings → Google → Backup, where available.
4. Update recovery email and phone details.

Step 5 — Review deletion and notification settings

Decide whether Google should delete the inactive account after the chosen process, if that option is offered. Review all recipients and data permissions before saving.

Official guide: Google — About Inactive Account Manager.

3. Other accounts to include in a digital legacy plan

Apple Legacy Contact and Google Inactive Account Manager do not cover every online account. Help customers review these separately.

Account or service	What to do
Facebook	Review memorialisation settings and choose a legacy contact where available.
Instagram	Understand the process for memorialising or requesting removal of an account.
Microsoft / Outlook	Record the account details and review Microsoft’s account closure and data policies.
Password manager	Review its emergency access or trusted-contact feature, if available.
Banking and subscriptions	Make an inventory and ask each provider about its authorised process.
Important files	Keep an independent backup of photos, videos and documents.

4. Final customer checklist

Digital legacy checklist

• Choose a trusted family member or representative
• Set up Apple Legacy Contact or Google Inactive Account Manager
• Check photos, contacts and files are backed up
• Review email and social media accounts
• Securely document account recovery instructions
• Store legacy access keys and important documents safely
• Review the plan annually or after major life changes
• Copy checklist

I understand that losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. Making things as easy as possible for those we leave behind is one of the most thoughtful and caring things we can do.

Over the past few years, I’ve personally had to go through this process several times, and I know firsthand that it’s never easy. That’s why I encourage everyone to take the time to organise their digital legacy and make sure their important memories, information, and online accounts are taken care of.

We only live once, so let’s make sure our memories live on forever for the people we love.

Disclaimer: This information does not constitute legal advice. Anyone seeking guidance on digital assets or digital estate planning should consult a qualified legal professional.