How to Protect Your Digital Assets Step-by-Step

When you’re planning ahead, it’s important to think not only about your physical assets but also about your digital life. Your photos, messages, emails, and social media accounts can hold great meaning for your loved ones. Thankfully, most major platforms now allow you to designate a “Legacy Contact,” someone who can manage or access parts of your account after your death.

Below, we’ll walk you through how to set this up on Apple, Facebook, Google, and Android, with official resources linked for further help.

Apple (iCloud, iPhone, iPad, Mac)

Apple lets you add a Legacy Contact in iOS 15.2 or later.

Steps to set it up:

1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Tap your name (Apple ID) at the top.
3. Select Password & Security.
4. Tap Legacy Contact → Add Legacy Contact.
5. Choose someone from your contacts.
6. Share the Access Key with them (print or digital).

Your Legacy Contact will need this Access Key plus a death certificate to access your account.

🔗See Apple’s guide here

Facebook

Facebook allows you to name a Legacy Contact or opt to have your account deleted.

Steps to set it up:

1. Log into Facebook → Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. Click Memorialization Settings.
3. Enter a friend’s name to assign them as your Legacy Contact.
4. Choose what they can do — like posting a pinned message or updating your profile picture.
5. Or select Delete After Death if you prefer not to keep the account.
   

🔗See Facebook’s guide here

Google (Gmail, Drive, Photos, YouTube, etc.)

Google uses the Inactive Account Manager.

Steps to set it up:

1. Go to Google Inactive Account Manager.
2. Click Start.
3. Choose how long of inactivity (3, 6, 12, or 18 months) before Google takes action.
4. Add up to 10 trusted contacts and decide what data each may access.
5. You can also request that your account be deleted after sharing data.
6. Enter your contact info so Google can warn you before it’s triggered.
   

Android

Some Android phones allow you to add a trusted contact through your device settings.

Steps to set it up:

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Go to Google > Manage Your Google Account.
3. Tap Data & Privacy.
4. Scroll to Make a plan for your digital legacy (Inactive Account Manager).
5. Add a contact and adjust access settings.
   

Your digital legacy is just as important as your financial and legal planning. By designating Legacy Contacts now, you’ll make things easier for your loved ones later.

• Review these settings regularly, especially after major life changes.
• Inform your chosen contact so they know what to expect.
• Keep access keys, documents, and instructions together with your estate plan.
  

If you have not created an estate plan, click here to schedule a free discovery call. Taking a few minutes today can save your family stress and uncertainty in the future. 

“We are thrilled to have this critically important task completed. It’s a huge relief.” -Whit