Apple account after death

Apple provides an official mechanism: the Legacy Contact. You name one or more people while you are alive; after your death they can request access to your account data by presenting an access key and a death certificate. Without that designation, the process becomes considerably harder.

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The Legacy Contact, named while you are alive

Apple’s documentation describes the Legacy Contact as the person allowed to access your account data after your death. You add one from your account settings on iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Each contact receives an access key. That key matters: kept alongside the death certificate, it lets Apple verify the request. A lost key makes everything that follows much harder.

  • Add one or more Legacy Contacts from your account settings.
  • Give the access key to each designated person, or print it and keep it with your important papers.
  • Make sure the people you named know they were named.

What a Legacy Contact can and cannot get

Apple states that access covers data stored in the account: photos, messages, notes, files, contacts, app purchases and device backups.

Some items are excluded, notably keychain-stored information and licensed media. These are Apple’s own rules and they can change: check the official page before starting.

Without a designated Legacy Contact

A relative then has to file a formal access request. Apple documents this route and notes that a court order may be required depending on the circumstances.

It is longer, less certain, and arrives at the worst possible moment for a grieving family.

Friction points specific to the Apple ecosystem

An Apple account is often tied to an iPhone passcode, and a locked device cannot be unlocked without it — not even by Apple.

Likewise, an interrupted family sharing setup or a lapsed storage subscription can lead to data being removed after a delay. Better to deal with these before they become urgent.

What to do now

Add a Legacy Contact, store the access key safely with your essential documents, and export a copy of your most important photos out of the account.

In Solexi you can record that the designation exists and where the key is kept, without ever storing a password there.

Pricing, in plain words

  • 14 days free, 1 GB included during the trial
  • Then CAD $199, one time only
  • Lifetime access, 10 GB included
  • No monthly subscription, no renewal

Frequently asked questions

What is an Apple Legacy Contact?

It is a person you name in your Apple Account settings who can request access to that account’s data after your death, by providing their access key and a death certificate.

What happens if the access key is lost?

The request becomes much harder. Apple provides a formal access route, but it takes longer and may require additional documentation depending on the case.

Are my purchased films and music passed on?

Licensed media is not treated like personal files. Check Apple’s official page for the exact scope at the time you make the request.

Should the iPhone passcode be shared?

A locked device with no passcode cannot be unlocked, even by Apple. Keeping that code securely with a trusted person avoids permanently losing the content stored on the device.

Sources & Further Reading

Last reviewed : 2026-08-21

Solexi does not replace a legal will, a notary or a lawyer. Solexi helps you gather, organize and pass on your information.

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