08/09/2026
If you died tomorrow, your family would not be able to access your Apple account. Here's how to fix it. It takes less than a minute.
Apple locks your account the moment you're gone. No passcode guessing, no customer service workaround. Unless you've named a Legacy Contact, everything on your iPhone stays behind a wall your family can't get past.
The fix takes less than 60 seconds:
1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap Sign-In & Security, then Legacy Contact. (On a Mac: System Settings, your name, Sign-In & Security, Legacy Contact.)
3. Add someone you trust. Pick from your Family Sharing group or your contacts.
4. Share the Access Key. Send it by iMessage or print it and keep it with your will. Without this key, they can't get in.
What they'll get: photos, messages, notes, iCloud Drive files, contacts, calendars and device backups.
What they won't: Apple Music, movies, books, subscriptions, payment details or Keychain passwords. Those go with you.
Do it today. Then send this to someone you love so they do it too.
