Planning for Your Digital Legacy: How to Add a Legacy Contact on Your iPhone
Photo by PhotoMIX Company
As a wills and estate lawyer, I've spent countless hours discussing with clients the importance of planning for the future, and ensuring that their assets are passed on to their loved ones in a seamless manner. Traditionally, this meant talking about physical assets and bank accounts, but with the rise of the digital age, there's a new facet to consider: our digital legacies.
Our smartphones, and particularly our iPhones, contain a vast array of personal information and memories, from photographs and videos to social media accounts and personal documents. It's crucial to think about who will have access to this information when we're gone. Enter the iPhone's Legacy Contact feature.
What is a Legacy Contact?
Introduced in a recent iOS update, a Legacy Contact is a person you designate to access the data on your iPhone after your passing. This ensures that your digital legacy remains intact and is handled according to your wishes.
How to Add a Legacy Contact on Your iPhone:
Update Your iPhone: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version that includes the Legacy Contact feature.
Open Settings: Tap on your Apple ID at the top, which typically displays your name and photo.
Tap on Password & Security: This option is usually located towards the top.
Choose Legacy Contact: You'll find this option among the list. If you don't see it, make sure your iOS is updated.
Add or Remove a Legacy Contact: Follow the on-screen instructions. You can add more than one contact if desired.
Inform Your Legacy Contact: It's important they know you've designated them. Apple will provide them with instructions on accessing your iPhone's data after your passing.
Why is this Important for Estate Planning?
Data Preservation: We all have precious memories stored on our phones. By designating a Legacy Contact, you're ensuring those memories aren't lost.
Ease of Access for Loved Ones: Without a Legacy Contact, accessing your iPhone's data can be challenging and may require court orders.
Avoiding Digital Limbo: Many online accounts can end up in a 'digital limbo' when the owner passes away. A Legacy Contact ensures your digital presence is handled the way you want.
Personal Wishes: Just as you'd specify in a will who gets certain assets, you're specifying who gets access to your digital life.
How Your Legacy Contacts Gain Access to Your Data
Once you've set someone as your Legacy Contact, it's essential to understand the process they'll need to follow to access your data when the time comes. This understanding will equip them to handle your digital assets effectively.
Notification of Death: Before any data access can occur, Apple requires a formal notification of the original iPhone owner's passing. This often involves providing Apple with a death certificate or other official documents.
Access Code: Upon being set as a Legacy Contact, the designated individual will receive an "Access Key." This key is of paramount importance. It will be required, along with the death notification, to unlock the iPhone's data.
Initiating the Request: The Legacy Contact will need to visit Apple's dedicated website for deceased account access. Here, they will use the Access Key and provide the necessary documentation to validate the death.
Data Retrieval: Once Apple verifies the provided information, the Legacy Contact will be granted access to the deceased's iCloud data. This includes photos, videos, notes, and other documents stored in the iCloud account. It's important to note that some sensitive information like saved passwords or payment details will not be accessible.
Time Frame: There might be a waiting period involved for verification purposes, so patience is required. The duration can vary based on the complexity of the request and the volume of data.
Seeking Assistance: If the Legacy Contact faces any challenges or is unsure about any step in the process, they can always reach out to Apple Support or consult with a digital estate planning expert for guidance.
Final Thoughts
Planning for the future is a multi-faceted process that goes beyond just writing a will. With the increasing role technology plays in our lives, it's paramount to include digital assets in our estate planning. By adding a Legacy Contact to your iPhone, you're taking an essential step in ensuring that your digital legacy is preserved and managed according to your wishes.
Should you have any further questions or require assistance with estate planning, please don't hesitate to reach out. Planning now can bring peace of mind for the future.